Macgregor Primary School Out of School Hours Care

 

 

Policy Number                     Version 1 2018 

Policy statement 

• Effective rest and sleep strategies are important factors in ensuring a child[1] feels secure and safe in a child care environment. 

• The service consults with families about their child’s individual needs and to be aware of the different values and parenting beliefs, cultural or otherwise that are associated with rest. 

• If a family’s beliefs conflict with best practice then the service will not endorse an alternative practice, unless the service is provided with written advice from a medical practitioner. 

• The service defines ‘rest’ as a period of inactivity, solitude, calmness or tranquillity, and can include a child being in a state of sleep. This would usually occur in our setting if a child has been up late the previous night, away at camp or engaged in unusually strenuous activities. 

• MPSOSHC has a duty of care to ensure that all children are provided with a high level of safety when resting or sleeping while in care. 

• It is understood by staff/carers, children and families that there is a shared responsibility between the service and other stakeholders that the Rest and Sleep Policy and procedures are accepted as a high priority. 

• In meeting the service’s duty of care, it is a requirement that management and staff implement and adhere to the service’s Rest and Sleep Policy.  

Strategies and practices

The primary safe resting and sleeping practices for children in care at this service are:

• Children’s rest environments are free from cigarette or tobacco smoke as detailed in the service’s Smoke Free Environment Policy.

• The rest environment, equipment and materials will be safe and free from hazards

• Staff/carers monitor resting children at regular intervals and supervise the rest environment as per licensing regulations/best practice standards. 

Safe resting practices for school age children

If a school age child requests a rest then there is a designated area for the child to be inactive and calm, away from the main group of children.

• The designated rest area may be a cushion, mat or seat in a quiet section of the care environment.

• Quiet, solitary play experiences are available for those school age children who request the need for a rest or time away from their peers.

• Safe resting practices are relevant to school age children because, if they are resting or sleeping they should be monitored at regular intervals and a school aged child’s face should be uncovered when they are sleeping. 

Protective behaviours and practices

Supervision of resting children
·         All children who are resting will be supervised by staff/carers.
·         All children who have fallen asleep in the service will be monitored regularly with specific attention to breathing patterns.
·         Parents will be notified if a child falls asleep or appears unwell. 

Policy review
The service will review the Rest and Sleep Policy and procedures, and related documents, including behaviours and practices every 12 months or as necessity dictates.

Families are encouraged to collaborate with the service to review the policy and procedures.

Staff/carers are essential stakeholders in the policy review process and will be encouraged to be actively involved. 

Sources and further reading 

• National Childcare Accreditation Council Inc. (2005). Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) Quality Practices Guide. NSW: Author.

• Occupational Health & Safety Act.[3]

Link to CCQA Principles  Regulation 168 2 (v)
Quality Practices Guide (2004) – Principle 4.5
Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) Quality Practices Guide (2005) – Principle 6.5 

Policy created date            05/06/2018 

Policy review             August 2019

[1] For the purpose of this policy, a child or children is defined as a person or group of persons aged from birth to eighteen years (UNICEF). 

[2] A school age child attends a primary or secondary school.

[3]There are legislative Acts and regulations for each state and territory that address the issue of Occupational Health and Safety. Services are advised to seek information that is relevant to their jurisdiction.