Big news for early years: the Government is writing clear safer sleep requirements into the EYFS. Many of us know sleep is vital, yet guidance can feel grey, which is exactly where risk creeps in. If you have ever worried about naps, ratios, or that favourite blanket, you are not alone. We are here to help you turn uncertainty into confident, safe practice.
This guide explains what is changing, what you must do now, and how to get ready for inspections. If you want a quick refresher on daily practice, this primer on sleeping safely with a baby is a handy start.
Key Takeaways
- The EYFS will include explicit, enforceable safer sleep requirements, developed with the Lullaby Trust, medical experts, and Ofsted.
- From September 2026, safer sleep expectations are written into the EYFS and providers will be held to clearer standards.
- These changes are legally binding and apply immediately to children under the age of one.
- Under-twos must sleep on their backs in their own clear sleep space on a firm, flat surface; babies under one must sleep in a cot.
- Maintain 16–20˚C, remove items like toys, pillows, bumpers, and wedges, and follow manufacturer guidance for sleep bags.
- Children under six months must be in the same room as an adult while asleep; all children must be checked frequently and be within sight and hearing.
- Staff training must cover NHS SIDS guidance and use Lullaby Trust resources.
- Providers should act now to update policies, practice, and records to align with the strengthened EYFS.
Why The EYFS Is Strengthening Safer Sleep Requirements
The update follows the tireless Campaign for Gigi, led by Katie Wheeler and John Meehan after the tragic death of their nine-month-old daughter, Genevieve, in 2022. Their call for stronger standards and better accountability has moved an entire sector to reflect and change. If you want context on the wider movement, read this powerful piece that captures a call for stronger safeguarding in nurseries.
For years the EYFS pointed to NHS guidance on SIDS, yet practice varied. Small gaps in training or supervision can become big risks. The new approach writes the safest expectations into the EYFS itself, so everyone is working to the same clear, enforceable bar.
Safer Sleep Requirements To Be Strengthened In The EYFS From September 2026
Early Education Minister Olivia Bailey has confirmed that the EYFS will include explicit safer sleep requirements. The new wording sets out what safe sleep looks like in plain terms and links it to inspection. You can track the official wording and timeline through this explainer on EYFS statutory framework changes.
What matters now is action. The Government has made it clear that providers should not wait. The expectations are already the benchmark for good practice.
Immediate Compliance: Do Not Wait
Although the text lands in September 2026, the Minister has said providers must already comply with these safer sleep requirements. That means aligning with NHS and Lullaby Trust guidance now. Strong compliance will also be supported by inspection and enforcement. For a sense of how the bar is rising, see Ofsted’s updated enforcement policy for early years providers.
Key Safer Sleep Requirements For Children Under Two
- Positioning: Place children on their backs in a separate sleep space on a firm, flat surface such as a cot, bed, or mattress on the floor. Babies up to 12 months must sleep in a cot.
- Bedding: Provide a firm, flat, waterproof mattress only. Use lightweight bedding tucked no higher than the child’s shoulders. A well-fitted sleep bag is fine when used as the manufacturer instructs.
- Blankets: If you use blankets, position the child feet-to-foot at the cot’s bottom and tuck blankets securely.
- No extra items: Keep cots clear of toys, pillows, extra blankets, bumpers, wedges, and straps.
- Room temperature: Keep the sleep room between 16 and 20˚C to avoid overheating or chilling. Use a reliable thermometer.
- Monitoring: Keep babies under six months in the same room as an adult while they sleep. All sleeping children must be frequently checked and remain within sight and hearing.
- Training: Make sure every staff member has read NHS SIDS guidance and can access Lullaby Trust resources.
Real-World Examples You May Face
A baby falls asleep in a buggy on the way back from a walk. You wake and transfer the baby to a cot so sleep happens on a firm, flat surface with a clear space. Yes, this can be tricky. It is still the standard.
A toddler arrives with a well-loved soft toy. Use it to comfort during wind-down, then remove it from the cot before sleep. Consider a photo or a special basket nearby so the toy is not “lost” and the child still feels secure.
The room feels warm after lunch. Check the thermometer, aim for 16–20˚C, and adjust clothing or layers. Think of it like you would a car seat: safer when conditions are right, not too hot and not too cold.
Comparison: Common Practice And What Must Change
| Scenario | Old or Risky Habit | Required Standard and Action |
| Nap location | Letting babies sleep in buggies or bouncers | Use a cot or firm, flat mattress; transfer as soon as practical |
| Bedding | Loose blankets or soft toys in the cot | Clear sleep space with tucked lightweight blanket or fitted sleep bag |
| Temperature | Guessing room comfort by feel | Maintain 16–20˚C and record checks with a reliable thermometer |
| Supervision | Listening out from another room | Adults in the same room for under six months; frequent checks for all |
Sleep In The EYFS: What Good Looks Like Day To Day
Sleep is not listed as a learning goal, yet it powers everything. A rested child can regulate emotions, engage in learning, build relationships, and grow well. Within safeguarding and welfare, good health includes the right rest and sleep. In short, sleep is care and learning working together.
Every child is different. The EYFS expects you to follow home routines, respond to developmental stages, and adapt over time. Rigid, one-size-fits-all nap slots do not fit the framework. Work with families so routines feel familiar, flexible, and led by the child.
Safety is non-negotiable. Babies sleep on their backs. Sleep spaces are clean, age-appropriate, and free from hazards. Keep cots clear, manage temperature, and stick to safer sleep guidance to reduce the risk of SIDS and to show strong safeguarding practice.
Supervision still counts when eyes are closed. Keep sleeping children within sight and hearing, and record your checks. Many settings position staff to observe sleeping areas, use simple logs, and review patterns at team meetings. Think of it as a seat belt for your processes.
Partnership matters. Share sleep times, note changes, and raise concerns early. Parents should trust that their child’s routine is understood and respected, while you balance preferences with professional judgement and safety. For children who do not nap, offer calm rest like books or drawing without pressure to sleep.
Best practice is responsive, safe, collaborative, and flexible. When sleep is handled well, it supports behaviour, learning, and emotional wellbeing across the day.
Inspections, Enforcement, And Accountability
Inspections will reflect stronger safer sleep expectations. Knowing how inspectors think can help you prepare evidence and reduce stress. This guide to the Early Years inspection toolkit shows where sleep sits within safeguarding and welfare.
Expect a sharper line on compliance. Documentation should match practice, and staff should explain the why, not just the what. Where serious risk is found, inspectors have a clearer route to act. You can see how thresholds are shifting in Ofsted’s updated enforcement policy for early years providers.
Preparing Your Setting For 2026, Starting Today
Audit your current sleep policy against the new standards. Update your procedures so they state the exact sleep space, positioning, monitoring, and temperature ranges. Walk your rooms and remove any soft items from cots. Replace guesswork with clear checks.
Train your team. Build a short briefing with the reasons behind each requirement, and include scenarios you actually face. Make sure everyone can explain why a baby is transferred from a buggy to a cot, or how you decide on layers based on 16–20˚C.
Strengthen records. Keep simple logs for sleep checks, room temperatures, and any variations from routine with reasons. Records are not there to tick boxes. They help you notice patterns, share with parents, and show consistent practice.
Engage parents. Review home routines when children start, and agree how you will soothe, settle, and remove comfort items before sleep. Share your updated policy and invite questions. This keeps trust high and reduces misunderstandings.
Use trusted guidance. Managers will find this deep dive into EYFS 2025 safeguarding and welfare requirements helpful for aligning sleep practice with the broader framework.
Looking Ahead: What The Sector Still Seeks
The strengthened wording is a major step forward. The Campaign for Gigi is still pressing for full accountability across all settings, stronger enforcement, and the highest possible standards, including debate on mandatory CCTV and a more robust inspection process. As providers, we share the same aim. Every child’s sleep environment must be safe, every time.
If you want to go deeper into safer sleep guidance, two reliable sources are the Lullaby Trust and the NHS. Their advice is clear, practical, and updated as evidence grows. See the Lullaby Trust’s guidance for early years settings and the NHS advice on reducing the risk of SIDS: The Lullaby Trust – Safer Sleep in Early Years Settings and NHS – Reduce the Risk of SIDS.
Your Next Best Step
Take one hour this week to walk your sleep spaces, update your policy, and brief your team. Small, steady changes add up to big safety gains. If you would like a friendly pair of eyes on your approach, reach out and we will help you turn the new requirements into everyday, confident practice.
