Communication

You may be aware of a new BBC programme – Nursery Scandals: What Went Wrong? – which examines recent serious safeguarding incidents in early years settings. 

While the programme has been available to view on BBC iPlayer since Monday, it is also due to air on BBC1 this evening at 9pm. 

We are mindful that the contents of this programme, which looks in detail at a number of very distressing incidents of harm and abuse in early years settings, may understandably cause concern among parents and carers, and as a result, you may receive questions about how your setting keeps children safe in the coming days.

To support you in responding to potential queries, we have produced a free virtual resource pack which includes:

• Advice and guidance for early years providers on how best to reassure parents and carers who have concerns about safety and safeguarding
  
  

• Downloadable guides to share with families, including: 

  • simple one-page explainers on the key steps settings take to keep children safe in terms of safe sleep practices, safeguarding training, whistleblowing and safe recruitment
    
    

  • a guide to how Ofsted inspects early years settings
    
    

  • information on what parents and carers should do if they have a concern about their child's care/education
    
    

  • a simple explainer on what 'serious childcare incidents' statistics include

Please take a look at the safer sleeping information for parents.

This guidance supports planned updates to the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, which should be made in September 2026.

Why safer sleep is important

It is important to provide babies and children with a safer sleep environment to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies up to 12 months of age, and sudden unexpected death in childhood (SUDC) in children aged over 12 months.

SIDS is the sudden unexpected death of a baby where no cause is found. Whilst it is uncommon, there are some factors that can increase a baby’s risk of SIDS. These include:

• being born prematurely (before 37 weeks)

• low birthweight (less than 2.5kg or 5.5lb)

• exposure to smoking in pregnancy

• sleeping with babies and children on sofas or chairs

SUDC is the sudden unexpected death of a child where no cause is found. Creating a safer sleep space can help avoid accidents, such as the risk of suffocating when sleeping from becoming entangled in soft bedding and/or getting trapped in soft furniture.

It is important to follow all the steps below to ensure that you are providing as safe a sleep environment as possible for every baby and child in your care.

Providing a safer sleep space for babies and children under two years of age

Providers must ensure that:

• babies aged 12 months and under must only be placed to sleep in a cot - this includes carrycots, moses baskets and travel cots (you may find it useful to check whether products meet the British Safety Standards listed below)

• children are placed down on their back in their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or suitable mattress on the floor.

• sleep spaces should only contain a firm, flat, waterproof mattress and lightweight bedding which is firmly tucked in around the child no higher than their shoulders to prevent head covering - alternatively, a well fitted baby sleep bag may be used (check the manufacturer recommendations before using a baby sleep bag)

• where blankets are used, the baby should be placed feet-to-foot at the bottom of the cot, with blankets tucked in

• cots must not contain extra items such as toys, pillows, loose bedding, bumpers, wedges or straps

• children should not get too hot or cold - the recommended room temperature for babies (those aged 12 months and under) is 16 – 20˚C.

• children’s heads are not covered

• babies under six months of age must always have an adult with them in the same room for every sleep - all children must be frequently checked when they are sleeping

• children are always within sight and hearing of staff when sleeping

A baby monitor can be used for children over six months of age, and you must ensure it allows children to be seen and heard at all times.

Evidence suggests that babies (those aged 12 months and under) are at a higher risk of SIDS if they have their heads covered. Some items added to their sleep space may increase the risk of SIDS and unnecessary items, such as cot bumpers and toys, can also increase the risk of accidents. Sleep comforters may be used for babies and children aged over 12 months only.

To check if a baby or child is too hot or cold, feel their chest or the back of their neck (hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If their skin feels clammy or sweaty, remove one or more layers of clothing or bedding. You should use your professional judgement during extreme temperatures.

Once babies can move from their back to their front and back again by themselves, they can find their own sleeping position. However, continue to place them on their back to sleep.

Providers may find it useful to check whether products meet the relevant British Safety Standards:

• cots, travel cots, moses baskets and carry cots: BS EN 716-1:2017,  BS EN 1466:2014 or
BS EN 1466:2023

• bedside cribs: Since 2020, all bedside cribs should meet the new crib safety standard BS EN 1130:2019. This means cots should no longer have a side that fully drops down.

• mattresses: BS 7177:2008+A1:2011

• mattresses for cots, travel cots and cribs: BS EN 16890:2017+A1:2021

• sleepbags: BS EN 16781:2018

This list is provided for reference, you must ensure you are satisfied that your setting’s sleeping arrangements meet the EYFS requirements.

Sleeping whilst travelling

Babies aged 12 months and under that fall asleep whilst travelling must be transferred to their cot once they return to the setting. NHS guidance states that hats and extra clothing should be removed as soon as you come indoors or enter a car, bus or train, even it means waking the baby.

Children aged over 12 months that fall asleep whilst travelling should, where possible, be transitioned to their own separate sleep space on a clear, flat, firm surface such as a cot, bed or suitable mattress on the floor upon return. A lie-flat pram or lie-flat pushchair should not be their main separate sleep space. Coats, hats and blankets should be adjusted to prevent overheating.

If a baby or child falls asleep whilst travelling in a car seat, they must be transferred to their separate sleep space as soon as they return to the setting.

Further information

Early years staff should read NHS advice on Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – NHS.

More information on safer sleep guidance is available from The Lullaby Trust.

Further information about product safety and recalls can be found on the Office for Product Safety and Standards.

what our local family hub has on offer ..... please take a look at the timetable of classes.

As we approach the warmer months, the Royal Life Saving Society UK(RLSS UK)is encouraging early years settings to help share simple water safety messages with their families, as incidents sadly increase between May and August. Recent data from the National Child Mortality Database (NCMD) shows children under five remain at higher risk around water. RLSS UK believes no child should drown and has launched the Splash Safely at Home campaign to support parents and carers of young children to enjoy water safely. The key message ‘Stay Together’ reinforces the importance of close, constant adult supervision around water, a factor highlighted by the NCMD’s data as critical in preventing tragic incidents. We would be grateful if you could help share the free water safety resources with families in your setting. These include leaflets, flashcards, and a visual story. All resources can be found here: Splash Safely at Home Downloadable Resources | Royal Life Saving Society UK ( RLSS UK ) Splash Safely at Home - Vital Water Safety Advice for Parents and Carers Free Children and Young People Oral Health Training 

Do families at your setting know about the HMRC app yet?

We know that early years settings play an important role in supporting families: from providing advice on funded entitlement eligibility to guidance applying for tax-free childcare – and much more.

That's why we at the Early Years Alliance are so pleased to be working with HMRC to spread the word about the HMRC app, which can help families stay on top of their finances and personal tax.

Parents and carers can use this secure, free-to-download app to:

claim and manage Child Benefit payments, including checking when they've received payments, reviewing their proof of entitlement and updating bank details

view or download their income and employment history from the past five years, and use tools like the tax calculator to estimate take-home pay

remind themselves of their National Insurance number, and save it to their phone wallet

check their tax code, find out if they're due any tax back from HMRC and claim a refund if they're owed one

update HMRC on a change of address or other personal details
... and much more.

How can parents access the HMRC app?

To access the app, families simply need to:

Search 'HMRC app' in the App Store or Google Play Store and download the free app

Follow the instructions on screen to complete set up – users will be asked to sign in. If they don't already have an ID and password, this can be created on the same sign-in page.

Once this is all set up, signing into the app can be even faster with a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition, allowing them to have all their personal tax information at their fingertips.
Want to share this useful information with families at your setting?

HMRC has provided some handy suggested text that you can use in your setting updates, newsletters or social media – plus some free-to-share graphics:

Get in control of your money and tax with the HMRC app. When you're on it, you're on it. Download the HMRC app today: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp

When you're on it, you're on it. For information on your money and tax, download the HMRC app today: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp

Did you know you can claim and manage Child Benefit on the HMRC app? You can even use it to keep personal information such as your address and bank details up to date. Get on it to be in control of your money and tax today. Download the HMRC app: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp

Do families at your setting know about the HMRC app yet?

We know that early years settings play an important role in supporting families: from providing advice on funded entitlement eligibility to guidance applying for tax-free childcare – and much more.

That's why we at the Early Years Alliance are so pleased to be working with HMRC to spread the word about the HMRC app, which can help families stay on top of their finances and personal tax.

Parents and carers can use this secure, free-to-download app to:

claim and manage Child Benefit payments, including checking when they've received payments, reviewing their proof of entitlement and updating bank details

view or download their income and employment history from the past five years, and use tools like the tax calculator to estimate take-home pay

remind themselves of their National Insurance number, and save it to their phone wallet

check their tax code, find out if they're due any tax back from HMRC and claim a refund if they're owed one

update HMRC on a change of address or other personal details
... and much more.

How can parents access the HMRC app?

To access the app, families simply need to:

Search 'HMRC app' in the App Store or Google Play Store and download the free app

Follow the instructions on screen to complete set up – users will be asked to sign in. If they don't already have an ID and password, this can be created on the same sign-in page.

Once this is all set up, signing into the app can be even faster with a PIN, fingerprint or facial recognition, allowing them to have all their personal tax information at their fingertips.
Want to share this useful information with families at your setting?

HMRC has provided some handy suggested text that you can use in your setting updates, newsletters or social media – plus some free-to-share graphics:

Get in control of your money and tax with the HMRC app. When you're on it, you're on it. Download the HMRC app today: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp

When you're on it, you're on it. For information on your money and tax, download the HMRC app today: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp

Did you know you can claim and manage Child Benefit on the HMRC app? You can even use it to keep personal information such as your address and bank details up to date. Get on it to be in control of your money and tax today. Download the HMRC app: bit.ly/EYAHMRCapp