By BEST Childcare Consultancy
Every day, families place their babies into our arms with complete trust. They trust that we will notice the small things. They trust that we will follow the safest advice. They trust that when their child closes their eyes to rest, we are watching — carefully, intentionally, professionally.
Safe sleep is not just a regulation. It is not just a checklist. It is not just something we “cover” during Safe Sleep Week. It is one of the most sacred responsibilities we hold in early childhood education and care. When a baby is placed on their back. When a cot is kept clear. When an educator quietly checks breathing and colour. When a leader replaces equipment before a deadline because safety cannot wait — that is culture.
Safe Sleep Week and Red Nose Day, led by Red Nose Australia, remind us that behind every policy is a child. Behind every guideline is a family. And behind every safe sleep space is a team of educators who refuse to compromise on safety.
In 2026, with strengthened expectations and new infant sleep product standards fully commenced from 19 January, services had the opportunity to show something powerful:
That child safety is not reactive. It is embedded. It is vigilant. It is lived — every single rest time.
This article explores how services can embed safe sleep culture deeply — through children’s learning, educator practice, leadership systems, and meaningful partnerships with families — so that safety is not an event, but a way of being.
Safe Sleep Week (9–15 March 2026) and Red Nose Day, led by Red Nose Australia, are not just awareness campaigns. In early childhood education and care, they are reminders of our legal responsibility, ethical duty and professional commitment to protecting the most vulnerable children in our care.
Safe sleep practices sit clearly within: Regulation 81 – Sleep and rest, Regulation 84 – Sleep and rest policies and Section 165 – Adequate supervision.
And now, from 19 January 2026, services must also ensure alignment with the new mandatory infant sleep product standards under Australian Consumer Law.
Safe Sleep Week is an opportunity to show assessors that your service does not “celebrate safety” once a year — you live it every day.
Red Nose Safe Sleeping Guidelines for childcare
Red Nose Australia advises early childhood services to always place babies on their back to sleep, on a firm, flat mattress, in a clear cot free from pillows, soft toys, loose bedding or bumpers. The sleep environment should allow for easy supervision with clear sightlines, appropriate room temperature, and babies should have their face and head uncovered. Educators must conduct active, documented sleep checks, remain within sight and/or hearing distance as required, and follow consistent sleep and rest policies aligned with national regulations. Red Nose also emphasises open communication with families, ensuring that evidence-based safe sleep practices are upheld in care settings even where home practices may differ.
Red Nose Safe Sleeping Guidelines:
https://rednose.org.au
Red Nose Safe Sleep Online Training for Early Childhood educators:
https://rednose.org.au/page/safe-sleeping-training
This training supports educators to meet regulatory obligations while strengthening professional confidence in safe sleep decision-making.
Educational Programming Ideas
Babies (0–2 years)
Responsive Rest Narration
Educators calmly narrated rest routines:
“We lie on our back so our body can breathe safely.”
This built predictable, secure sleep associations.
Calm Transition Songs
Consistent lullabies signalled rest time, supporting emotional regulation and attachment.
Body Awareness Moments
Gentle touch, breathing rhythms and soft language reinforced safety and trust.
Toddlers (2–3 years)
Mat Session: “Our Bodies Need Rest”
Educators discussed:
- What happens when we feel tired
- How rest helps us grow
- How grown-ups keep us safe while we sleep
Doll Safe Sleep Role Play
Children practised:
- Placing dolls on their backs
- Keeping beds clear
- Checking on babies gently
This mirrored real-life safety practices through play.
Routine Sequencing Cards
Wash hands → quiet play → lie down → wake up
This strengthened predictability and emotional safety.
Preschool (3–5 years)
Group Discussion: “How Do We Keep Babies Safe?”
Children explored the idea that safety rules help protect babies.
Regulation & Rest Learning
Breathing exercises, quiet reflection spaces and calm-down routines reinforced that rest supports health and wellbeing.
Art: What Helps Me Feel Calm?
Children expressed what makes them feel safe and relaxed. Educators documented children’s voices as evidence of wellbeing learning.
Staffing team building safe sleep practices
1. Safe Sleep Policy Reflection Wall
Create a visual display outlining your service’s safe sleep practices aligned with Red Nose guidelines:
- Back to sleep positioning
- Clear cot environments
- Approved mattresses
- Room temperature monitoring
- Active supervision checks
Invite families to contribute reflections about sleep practices at home and how they align with service procedures.
Red Nose Safe Sleeping Guidelines
https://rednose.org.au/section/safe-sleeping
2. Educator Professional Learning Circle
Hold a team reflective session reviewing:
- Current Red Nose recommendations
- Supervision during sleep/rest
- Cultural perspectives on sleep
- How risk assessments are conducted
Document critical reflection and update the QIP where needed.
Safe Sleep Training (Red Nose)
https://rednose.org.au/page/safe-sleeping-training
3. Infant Environment Audit
Conduct a full sleep space audit:
- Cot spacing
- Linen compliance
- Monitoring practices
- Documentation of sleep checks
- Safe rest environments for toddlers
Involve your WHS representative and Responsible Person.
4. Family Information Session
Host a short information session (or send a professional fact sheet) about:
- Safe sleep practices
- Differences between home and care settings
- How services manage sleep/rest safely
- Responding to family requests that differ from safe sleep guidelines
This demonstrates respectful but firm child safety governance.
5. Children’s Wellbeing Conversations
For toddlers and preschoolers:
- Explore the concept of “rest keeps our bodies safe and strong.”
- Read stories about routines and bedtime.
- Role play caring for dolls safely in cots.
This embeds health and safety education developmentally appropriately.
NEW Infant Sleep Safety Standards
From 19 January 2026, new mandatory national standards under Australian Consumer Law came into full effect for infant sleep products — the Consumer Goods (Infant Sleep Products) Safety Standard 2024 and the Consumer Goods (Infant Products) Information Standard 2024. These standards require that infant sleep products used in Australia meet strict safety requirements, including flat (no incline over 7 degrees), firm sleep surfaces, breathable sides, no restraints or harnesses, and clear safety warnings and instructions.
For early childhood services, action now means conducting and documenting a full audit of all cots, portable cots, bassinets and any product where an infant may sleep; removing and replacing any non-compliant items; retaining supplier evidence or compliance documentation; updating sleep and rest policies to reflect the new standards; and ensuring all educators understand how to identify compliant sleep equipment. Proactive governance in this area demonstrates not only compliance, but strong child safety leadership.
QIP WRITE-UP
QUALITY AREA 1 – Educational Program and Practice
Embedded Practice
Safe sleep and wellbeing concepts were intentionally embedded across the program in age-appropriate ways. Educators incorporated conversations about rest, safety and caring for babies into mat sessions, role play, and daily routines. Rest was framed positively as part of health, growth and emotional regulation, rather than as a procedural requirement.
Critical Reflection
The team reflected on how sleep and rest practices influenced children’s sense of security and belonging. Educators discussed how language, tone and predictability during rest times contributed to attachment and trust. Programming was adjusted to ensure rest transitions were calm, responsive and aligned with children’s individual needs.
Meaningful Engagement
Children’s voices were documented through art, discussions and observations about what helps them feel calm and safe. These reflections informed planning and demonstrated that wellbeing and safety learning were shaped by children’s experiences and perspectives.
QUALITY AREA 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Embedded Practice
Sleep and rest procedures were consistently implemented in line with Regulation 81, Regulation 84 and Section 165. Educators demonstrated vigilant, active supervision and maintained accurate documentation of sleep checks. Safe sleep practices were visible, calm and confidently articulated by all staff.
Critical Reflection
Prior to 19 January 2026, the service conducted a comprehensive audit of all infant sleep equipment to ensure compliance with the new mandatory Infant Sleep Safety Standards. Leadership critically reviewed supervision practices, room layouts and policy wording to ensure alignment with current Red Nose advice and Australian Consumer Law requirements.
Meaningful Engagement
Families were proactively informed about safe sleep expectations and the updated product standards. Respectful conversations were held where home practices differed, ensuring child safety remained the priority while maintaining strong, trusting partnerships.
QUALITY AREA 3 – Physical Environment
Embedded Practice
Sleep environments were intentionally arranged to ensure clear sightlines, appropriate cot spacing, safe airflow and firm, flat sleep surfaces. Clear cot practices were consistently upheld, and daily environment checks were embedded into routine practice.
Critical Reflection
The service undertook a documented review of all cots, mattresses and infant sleep products. Non-compliant items were removed and replaced ahead of the 19 January 2026 enforcement date. Environmental risk assessments were updated to reflect the new standards.
Meaningful Engagement
Families were invited to view sleep spaces during orientation and were provided with information explaining how the environment meets both regulatory and product safety standards. This transparency strengthened confidence in the service’s governance.
QUALITY AREA 6 – Collaborative Partnerships
Embedded Practice
Safe sleep information was shared at enrolment, revisited regularly and reinforced during Safe Sleep Week. Red Nose resources were incorporated into family communication.
Critical Reflection
The service reflected on cultural perspectives around sleep and developed clear, respectful communication strategies to manage requests that differed from evidence-based guidelines.
Meaningful Engagement
Families expressed confidence that the service prioritised safety while maintaining empathy and professionalism. Partnerships were strengthened through open dialogue and shared understanding.
QUALITY AREA 7 – Governance and Leadership
Embedded Practice
Policies and procedures were updated to reflect the new Infant Sleep Safety Standards and current Red Nose guidance. Sleep and rest practices were clearly linked to governance systems, induction processes and ongoing monitoring.
Critical Reflection
Leadership documented the transition to compliant infant sleep equipment prior to 19 January 2026, demonstrating proactive rather than reactive governance. Staff meeting minutes reflected deep discussions about supervision, product safety and professional accountability.
Meaningful Engagement
All educators participated in professional learning, including Red Nose Safe Sleep training. Leadership fostered a culture where educators felt confident to uphold safe sleep practices consistently, even in challenging conversations.
Links & Resources
Red Nose Australia – Safe Sleeping Guidelines
https://rednose.org.au
Product Safety Australia – Infant Sleep Product Standards
https://www.productsafety.gov.au
ACECQA – Sleep & Rest Guidance
https://www.acecqa.gov.au
Education and Care Services National Regulations
https://www.legislation.gov.au
BEST Childcare Consulting
Safe sleep is one of the clearest reflections of leadership culture. It is calm. It is consistent. It is documented. It is courageous. It is not negotiable.
When children are secure, when educators are vigilant, and when leaders are proactive — services demonstrate not only compliance, but a deeply embedded child-safe culture.
As always, use these inspirations to lead your service throughout the whole year in your everyday practices to truly earn an exceeding rating.
Contact us TODAY
This article also links to previous article written by BEST when new infant sleep safey standards were initiated from 19 January 2026
