Jane
At what age/stage of development can you transition baby from a cot to a mattress on the floor?
Red Nose Education
Red Nose has the following general information in relation to cot to bed safety.
For safety reasons, when a young child is observed attempting to climb out of the cot and looking like they might succeed, it is time to move them out of the cot.
This usually occurs when the child is between 2 and 3.5 years of age but could be as early as 18months.
https://rednose.org.au/downloads/Cot_to_bed_brochure_for_families.pdf
https://rednose.org.au/article/making-your-home-safe-before-moving-a-child-from-a-cot-to-a-bed
Have a look at our cot to bed brochure (linked above) to identify potential risks when moving baby from a cot.
ACECQA also has general information:
“As part of the new sleep and rest risk assessment requirements educators must consider risks to children’s health and safety and hazards in the sleeping environment such as access of a child to other parts of the environment as they wake including items that could pose a risk such as blinds, cords or other objects, and access of other people to the sleeping environment and sleeping children.”
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/supporting-materials/infosheet/safe-sleep-and-rest-practices
Also the following is included from ACECQA on P4/5:
“A cot that meets Australian mandatory standard AS/NZS 2172 is the safest option for infants, and for children who are not yet attempting to climb. Mattresses should meet the Australian voluntary standard for mattress firmness.
Infant - A young child between the ages of birth and 12 months, however, definitions may vary and may include children up to two years of age”
Please also check with your local regulator/assessor in relation to these issues.
Red Nose provides information & support in relation to Safety & Sleep & Rest. ACECQA & your State regulator provide information & support in relation to all regulatory issues.
However, Red Nose has provided some support documents/templates that you may wish to use when developing policy &/or risk assessment.
https://rednose.org.au/page/education-resources