Sleep and rest procedures.

How we manage sleep and rest across our 3 rooms, from babies in cots in the Possum Room through to quiet rest periods for the older preschoolers.

Possum Room (0-2 years): individual cot routines

Babies sleep on their own routines, not the room's. Each child has their own cot. Each cot is checked, sheets changed daily and as needed throughout the day. The room is set up so a child can sleep when they need to.

For new babies, we follow whatever routine is working for your family at home. If your baby is doing two naps, we plan around two naps. If your baby is on the verge of dropping a nap, we follow your lead. Bottles, formula and breastfeeding (with you visiting if you wish) are all supported.

We follow Red Nose safe sleeping guidelines. Babies are placed on their backs to sleep, in their own cot, with feet at the bottom of the cot, in a baby sleeping bag rather than loose blankets. Cot bumpers, soft toys, pillows and wedges are kept out of cots.

Koala Room (2-3 years): a single midday nap

For toddlers in the Koala Room, we offer a single midday rest after lunch, usually around 12:30pm. Most children at this age still nap at this time. Children who don't need to sleep can rest quietly with a book or a soft toy until the others wake up.

Each child has their own labelled mat or bedding. Sheets are washed weekly or whenever soiled.

Emu Room (3-6 years): a quiet rest period

In the Emu Room, after lunch, we have a quiet rest period rather than a sleep. Children lie down on their mats with a book and quiet music plays. Children who fall asleep are allowed to sleep. Children who don't need to sleep are not asked to.

By the year before primary school, most children have dropped daytime sleep. The quiet period gives them a chance to rest after lunch and before the afternoon program continues.

What we ask families to bring

• For Possum Room: a baby sleeping bag in the right size, and any comforter or dummy your child uses for sleep.
• For Koala Room: nothing - we provide a sheet and blanket. A small comforter is welcome.
• For Emu Room: nothing - we provide everything needed for quiet rest.

If your child is unsettled at sleep

Settling at sleep is one of the most personal routines a child has, and it's often a place where the centre and home need to work together carefully. Tell us what works at home, and we'll do our best to replicate it. The educators in the Possum Room are particularly experienced at helping new babies settle into the centre's rhythm without disrupting what's working at home.