Safer sleep guidance and outdoor provision

The updated safer sleep requirements for early years settings have prompted important conversations across the sector.

You can find the Department for Education guidance here: Help for early years providers : Safer sleep

For many settings, the changes may require only small adjustments. For others, particularly outdoor nurseries, Forest School nurseries and settings without permanent buildings, there may be practical considerations when reviewing existing arrangements.

Outdoor practitioners have spent many years creating environments where children can spend long periods outdoors, develop strong relationships and benefit from the wellbeing opportunities that nature-rich experiences can offer.

The updated requirements place an increased focus on sleeping arrangements for babies and younger children, with the aim of improving safety and reducing risk. As settings review their policies and procedures, many practitioners are considering how the guidance can be implemented while maintaining the values and approaches that sit at the heart of outdoor provision.

To support these conversations, we are signposting the guidance and encouraging settings to review the requirements in full.

You may also find the following Outdoor Hub resources useful when considering children's comfort, wellbeing and time spent outdoors:

• Outdoor clothing
• Shelters
• Weather and seasonal considerations
• Health and wellbeing