Every baby deserves to drift into sleep in a space that is safe, stable, and carefully designed to protect them. In childcare, families trust us with their child during their most vulnerable moments—when they are resting, sleeping, and unable to advocate for themselves. As educators and leaders, we do not simply provide sleep environments; we provide reassurance, confidence, and peace of mind to families.

From 19 January 2026, all infant sleep equipment used within education and care services must meet new national safety requirements. These changes are not minor—they are about preventing suffocation, entrapment, overheating, falls and other tragic outcomes.

Moving early, planning with intention, and training our teams ensures that we honour the responsibility families place in us. By upgrading equipment, updating policies, and embedding safe-sleep practice into everyday routines, we do more than meet compliance—we actively protect children.

This article explains what has changed, what your service must do, and how to prepare confidently.