Safer Sleep Guidance
*NEWS* Safe sleep requirement in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework
Early years providers must follow safer sleep rules in the EYFS, which currently refer to NHS guidance. To make these requirements clearer, the government plans to include more detailed safer sleep guidance directly in the EYFS framework from September 2026, subject to the parliamentary and legislative process. Please see the letter below which details the changes to safer sleep requirements and also the new guidance on Help for early years providers
- Safer Sleep Requirements – Letter from the Minister for Early Education to Sector
- Help for early years providers: Safer sleep
Foundation Years – 
Safer Sleeping Practices for Early Years Educators vodcast explores a series of best practice questions with Alex Robinson (Early Years Policy Advisor – Department for Education) and Ellen Lithgow (Public Health Engagement Manager – The Lullaby Trust), discussing safer sleeping practices for Early Years educators to follow to keep babies and children safe in their settings.
NHS Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) – NHS
The Lullaby Trust have a variety of publications, advice and guidance for both professionals and parents
https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/professionals/
- Click here for parent and professional printables– including posters and parent information available in other languages.
- Poster for Childcare Providers
- Safer Sleep for Babies – A guide for professionals
- Safer sleep awareness for early years settings booklet