Childminders, what have Ofsted told you about sleeping children in buggies?

[Shoshable]

I have been told by more than one Inspector that children MUST NOT sleep in buggies, car seat etc. that they must be put to sleep in cots, (travel are fine) but going by lots of threads on here, alot of CM's seem to sleep children in them!

Nothing

I just prefer to put children in cots (I have 5 )

I think it's only right

Tho' I do have the occasional one that prefers the floor or the settee

interesting, I didn't know that...

I've never had a conversation about it either, I don't think. Whenever I've had an inspector here, I show them the sleeping room with cot and thats it.

Katy I have all my cots lined up the 18 month old thinks it is great fun as soon as she is awake to empty everything out and throw it at the other mindees to wake them up. Luckily she is usually th elast to wake

I brought a child in sleeping in a buggy after a walk and was told top move him to a cot, another time was asked where I usually slept a 4 month old, who fell asleep during a inspection in a bouncy chair, cos he should have been put in a cot insted of letting him fall asleep in the chair.

I had one child that fell asleep on a swing and one likes to sleep on the cat

My poorly baby is sleeping in her buggy during the day atm! Poor love, we decided it was just mean to heave her out of it and into a cot if she was finally asleep! I don't actually think I could successfully put her gently into the travel cot anyway, she's a dead weight!

our cm puts the kids in reclined pushchairs. my dcs are always to excited and busy to sleep there anyway and usually conk in the car on the way home. doesn't bother me for a toddler but may not be as chuffed with a small baby

Personally I do whatever the parent requests - most are happy for child to stay asleep in buggy if moving them is likely to wake them. But agree cots is best, especially if putting child down for regular nap. Ofsted moan whatever you do!

Not a childminder but I always let dd stay sleeping in her buggy if she has fallen asleep on a walk.

You're so right Chankins! Its not about what OFSTED wants, its about what the parents want!

National Standard (Childminding) 5.4:
Appropriate furniture or equipment is provided for children to sleep or rest in.

In Guidance:
Consider where children are to sleep or rest so that they are comfortable. For example:

• in a bed, cot or travel cot using clean bedding or that provided by the parents;
• in a pram or buggy (for short naps) depending on the age of the child; or
• on a settees or sofa (for short naps) depending on the age of the child.

Therefore I conclude that published guidance (unless anyone can find updates to 5.4) don't say that a child can't sleep in a buggy, but only for short naps.

Thank You Nick, why oh why do I always get the stroppy Inspector

It doesn't say "child cannot fall asleep on the cat" then?

Only if said cat is comfortable

"Cats sleep anywhere,
On a table, on a chair......"also under Katymac's mindee

No, it's the child that needs to be comfortable - the cat just has to lump it

During my last inspection I was asked where mindee slept (only had one at the time), i replied "In the buggy" She said as long as parents happy then that is fine. I know for fact that my parents don't like their children to sleep on the settee once they've outgrown the travel cot. Also my house is not big enough to accomodate three travel cots/full size cots downstairs as my upstairs is not registered except for use of the toilet.

Where do other minders let mindees sleep if their upstairs is not registered?. I have serious problems as have one baby mindee who needs to sleep plus a 3 yr old who also needs a nap conbined with a hyper-active two year old who does not sleep, will not sit still or keep quiet.

I've always put the little one to sleep in a travel cot. Unless we are out and about they never sleep in pushchair. But I never did with my own children and the parents are happy either way!

I'm registered for the whole house so cant help you there HP

I have two travel cots, one goe in my room and one in sons room (he goes to school full time) then my dd had own bed. When my 2 yr old mindie went into bed she uses my sons with her own blanket and pillow and bed guard ( Back when I had my inspection erm Dec 05 this was fine)

x

Hmm, think at my next inspection (due....gulp... Feb next year)I might ask about registering my bedroom for use. Can't really use DD1s room as too small and DD2 and3s room is a complete tip!