Why Safe Sleep Training in Childcare Must Be Made Mandatory
Despite multiple sleep-related infant deaths and documented offences in childcare settings across Australia, there is still no nationally consistent, evidence-based safe sleep training required for childcare workers.
Recent findings have exposed unethical practices and operations within unaccredited childcare centres. In an industry that is increasingly in high demand and grappling with consistent staff turnover, inadequate induction programs, and inconsistent training, these gaps put babies and toddlers at unacceptable risk.
Primarily due to centres reaching maximum capacity and the increasing need for both parents to return to work, families often face difficulties securing suitable care. Additionally, reported offences have resulted in the termination of entire chains, such as the recent closure of Bambini Family Day Care’s 56 centres throughout Victoria. These concerns leave more families vulnerable to unknowingly seeking services from unaccredited providers.
Parents deserve not only access to care, but peace of mind that they are engaged in quality care. Red Nose is calling for urgent change and encouraging families to make informed decisions when selecting childcare services, while also urging the government to mandate compulsory safe sleep training as part of national compliance standards. Just like childcare workers are required to undertake First Aid training, Safe Sleep training should be mandated with refresher training required annually.
Concerns in Care: Reports from Childcare Services
Unsafe Practices in Unaccredited Centres
Despite many diligent and caring childcare professionals, recent investigations — such as an ABC report via Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, have uncovered alarming issues:
- Staff employed without valid Working with Children Checks or qualifications.
- Most of these incidents were linked to unaccredited or non-compliant providers.
- Children being removed from centres without authorisation.
- Infants left unattended or missing during excursions.
- Physical abuse, restraints, and even tethering to furniture.
Sleep-Related Deaths in Childcare
Tragically, some infant deaths in care have occurred due to unsafe sleep practices, including:
- Babies being swaddled incorrectly.
- Infants placed to sleep on inclined or non-flat surfaces.
- Departures from Red Nose Safe Sleep guidelines: which recommend placing babies on their backs, on firm, flat surfaces, for all sleep and rest times
The Solution: Make Safe Sleep Training Mandatory Nationwide
The Case for Compulsory Training
Research shows that safe sleep practices reduce the risk of fatal sleep accidents. However, without consistent training, educators may unintentionally place infants in danger.
Red Nose CEO Amy Cooper emphasizes:
“Nationally consistent and evidence-based training absolutely needs to be mandatory, with educators undertaking this training on induction and making sure it’s maintained annually.”
Lack of Legal Obligation is Putting Lives at Risk
While some providers voluntarily engage in Red Nose Safe Sleep training, many are not required to do so under current law. Following the tragic death of a seven-month-old boy in Sydney in 2021, a NSW coroner recommended mandatory safe sleep training for all childcare educators. However, four years later, that recommendation remains unfulfilled.
“Since that coroner’s recommendation, there have been three more babies’ deaths in early childcare services,” says Amy. “We are calling for government to mandate nationally consistent and evidence-based safe sleep training.”
National Consistency is Non-Negotiable
For families to confidently place their trust in childcare providers, there must be nationally enforced standards, especially around sleep safety. Mandatory training must become an integral part of childcare compliance and accreditation.
Together, we can drive the change needed to save lives and protect our youngest citizens.
Take Action
Sign the Petition for Mandatory Safe Sleep Training
Every Educator Trained. Every Baby Safer.
The ‘Every Educator Trained. Every Baby Safer’ petition, led by Red Nose, aims to gather 5,000 signatures to pressure the Australian Government into making safe sleep training a legal requirement for all early childhood educators.
Parents, educators, health professionals, and concerned community members are urged to add their voices to this critical cause.
Sign the petition now and help ensure every baby receives the safest possible care, no matter where they are enrolled.
Understanding Accreditation: What Parents Need to Know now
Why Accreditation Matters in Childcare
Before enrolling a child in care, parents should confirm that the provider is accredited under the National Quality Framework (NQF).
Accreditation ensures that:
- The service meets nationally agreed quality standards.
- The provider has been assessed by a state or territory regulatory body.
- A quality rating is assigned, reflecting performance against minimum benchmarks.
- Choosing an unaccredited childcare centre means that no formal quality assessments have been conducted, and there’s no regulatory oversight. This can increase the risk of harm.
A provider’s accreditation status and rating can be verified through the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).
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