Hi, I work at a long day care centre and would like to know if there is a requirement for sleep record for babies. Is it recommended that educators check on the environment where the babies are sleeping or check on the babies when they are sleeping every 10-15 minutes?

1.Regulations -

Supervision of sleeping children is a regulatory issue supported by Red Nose, but not specifically part of Red Nose Safe Sleep Recommendations.

ACECQA provides the following information which involves monitoring (always within sight & hearing distance & physically checking sleeping infants & children..

Sleep & Rest Practices

All children

Educators should closely monitor sleeping and resting children and the sleep and rest environments. This involves checking/inspecting sleeping children at regular intervals, and ensuring they are always within sight and hearing distance of sleeping and resting children so that they can assess a child’s breathing and the colour of their skin.

Service providers should consider the risk for each individual child, and tailor Sleep and Rest Policies and Procedures (including the frequency of checks/inspections of children) to reflect the levels of risk identified for children at the service. Factors to be considered include the age of the child, medical conditions, individual needs and history of health and/or sleep issues.

Meeting children’s sleep, rest & relaxation needs. Individual children

Ensure that the physical environment is safe and conducive to sleep. This means providing quiet, well-ventilated and comfortable sleeping spaces. Wherever viewing windows are used, all children should be visible to supervising educators.

https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-08/SleepRestForChildrenPolicyGuidelines.pdf