Sunnyside Childcare

Loving our ‘rather windy’ nature walk this morning. We discussed what the wind was doing to our hair and the water in the lake. We used google image search to find out that wheat 🌾 is growing in the field and then discussed what food has wheat in it 🥣 🍞 🍝

Muddy Farm Sensory Activity: Primarily covers Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills), Understanding the World (The World), and Personal, Social, and Emotional Development (PSED) within the EYFS framework. It offers rich, open-ended sensory exploration and imaginative play.

This is the link for the updated Child Accident Prevention Pack for Parents:

capt.org.uk

On the back of the upcoming change in safer sleep policy, I have added and updated by policy with the following information.

This policy supports the planned updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which should be made in September 2026.

SAFER SLEEP POLICY
The information in this policy has been given to me by the Department of Education – Safer Sleep
To keep babies safe during every sleep, the trust recommends following the ABC method:
Always sleep them on their back.
In a Baby-specific, separate sleep space like a cot or Moses basket.
In a Clear cot with a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and no loose bedding, pillows, or toys.
The Lullaby Trust
Key Safer Sleep Principles
• Room Sharing: Keep your baby in the same room as you for all sleeps (day and night) for at least the first 6 months.
• Clear Cot: Avoid using cot bumpers, soft toys, duvets, or pillows.
• Use only a firm, flat mattress and lightweight, firmly tucked-in bedding or a well-fitted baby sleep bag.
• Temperature Control: Keep the room between 16–20°C. Check your baby's temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck; they should not feel sweaty or clammy.
• Smoke-Free: Keep your baby in a smoke-free environment both during pregnancy and after birth.
• Avoid Dangerous Surfaces: Never fall asleep with a baby on a sofa or armchair, as this increases the risk of SIDS by 50 times
This policy supports the planned updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which should be made in September 2026.
Creating a safer sleep space can help avoid accidents, such as the risk of suffocating when sleeping from becoming entangled in soft bedding and/or getting trapped in soft furniture. It is important to follow all the steps below to ensure that I am providing as safe a sleep environment as possible for every baby and child in your care.
Providing a safer sleep space for babies and children under two years of age I must ensure that:
• babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot - this includes carrycots, moses baskets and travel cots
• children are placed down on their back
• in their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or suitable mattress on the floor.
• sleep spaces should only contain a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding which is firmly tucked in around the child no higher than their shoulders to prevent head covering - alternatively, a well fitted baby sleep bag may be used
• where blankets are used, the baby should be placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with blankets tucked in
• cots must not contain extra items such as toys, pillows, loose bedding, bumpers, wedges or straps
• children should not get too hot or cold - the recommended room temperature for babies (those aged 12 months and under) is 16 – 20˚C.
• children’s heads are not covered
• babies under six months of age must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep
• all children must be frequently checked when they are sleeping children are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping
• A baby monitor can be used for children over six months of age, and you must ensure it allows children to be seen and heard at all times.
Evidence suggests that babies (those aged 12 months and under) are at a higher risk of SIDS if they have their heads covered. Some items added to their sleep space may increase the risk of SIDS and unnecessary items, such as cot bumpers and toys, can also increase the risk of accidents.
• Sleep comforters may be used for babies and children aged over 12 months only.
• To check if a baby or child is too hot or cold, feel their chest or the back of their neck (hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal).
• If their skin feels clammy or sweaty, remove one or more layers of clothing or bedding. You should use your professional judgement during extreme temperatures.
• Once babies can move from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they can find their own sleeping position. However, continue to place them on their back to sleep.
Sleeping whilst travelling - Babies aged 12 months and under
• must be transferred to their cot once they return to the setting.
• NHS guidance states that hats and extra clothing should be removed as soon as you come indoors or enter a car, bus or train, even it means waking the baby.
• Children aged over 12 months that fall asleep whilst travelling should, where possible, be transitioned to their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or suitable mattress on the floor upon return.
• A lie-flat pram or lie-flat pushchair should not be their main separate sleep space.
• Coats, hats and blankets should be adjusted to prevent overheating.
• If a baby or child falls asleep whilst travelling in a car seat, they must be transferred to their separate sleep space as soon as they return to the setting.

Further information Early years staff should read NHS advice on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) – NHS. More information on safer sleep guidance is available from The Lullaby Trust.

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/baby-safety/safer-sleep-information/

help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/safer-sleep

Safer sleep information - The Lullaby Trust Our expert safer sleep information helps to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and gives you peace of mind.

Will your little-one be starting reception soon? This link takes you to some useful information.

www.cambslearntogether.co.uk

https://help-for-early-years-providers.education.gov.uk/health-and-wellbeing/toilet-training

Help for early years providers : Toilet training This article was written by the Department for Education (DfE) in consultation with senior health professionals in the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID).

https://capt.org.uk/8-dangerous-gifts-to-avoid-this-christmas/?utm_source=capt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parentsnov25&mc_cid=dd993db941&mc_eid=64bb375b51

8 dangerous gifts that could be a nightmare this Christmas Cheap gifts from unknown sellers on online marketplaces can come from anywhere in the world and can be dangerous. Super-strong magnets can rip through your child’s belly. Easy-access button batteries can kill your child if swallowed. Dangerous electrical goods can start a fire in your home. Find o...

https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/schools-learning/apply-for-a-school-place/primary-reception-junior-or-middle-school

Primary school admissions - September 2026 You can view Primary and Junior allocations via the following link: School allocation information - Cambridgeshire County Council

Together with the healthy eating advice, please see the safer eating too, here is a link to possible choking hazards:

Early years food choking hazards Food Standards Agency makes sure food is safe and what it says it is.