Unexpected changes to what are deemed safe sleeping arrangements, including the banning of coracle beds in nurseries, will have widespread consequences, says Tim McLachlan…
Babies and young children are at their most vulnerable at two crucial points in nurseries: when they are asleep and when they are eating.
We know this is why the government has brought in stricter guidance in these two areas to prevent avoidable deaths in early years settings.
It is pertinent that the guidance has been issued now that there are more babies in nurseries due to the expansion. It also results from two high-profile nursery deaths, those of Genevieve Meehan and Noah Sibanda.
Understandably, the government wants to ensure no children suffer similar, totally avoidable fates. But providers are faced with urgent questions about how to implement this new guidance.
Many NDNA members have contacted us about coracles. Nurseries often use these as they allow staff to easily keep eyes on all the children sleeping in a room.
Until recently, settings believed these were safe to use. However, the DfE has now clarified that coracles are no longer deemed safe for babies under 12 months. This is because of a coroner’s Prevention of Future Deaths report.
In that case, a baby died of postural asphyxiation related to a different product where the lowered side presented the risk. Although this was not in a coracle bed, their sloping sides could potentially result in a similar accident.
The new EYFS does not mention coracles, pods, beanbags or sleep nests. However, it specifically states that only Moses baskets and specified cots are suitable for babies.
While we understand why the government is taking this zero-tolerance approach, it has been extremely difficult for some nurseries to implement it in time for September’s EYFS.
Cots and travel cots can be more expensive and take up more space. Exchanging existing coracles will cost on average between £2,000–£3,000 per nursery, and the government has provided no financial aid.
It’s also very difficult to buy travel cots currently due to the higher demand that exists. What’s more, our short summer survey concluded that there is likely to be a 32% reduction in capacity.
5% of respondents reported that they might not be able to offer places to babies as a result. We know this was not the government’s intention.
The appalling cases of Genevieve and Noah were due to malevolent actions of individuals within environments with unsafe sleep practices. The journey to safe sleep is about learning from those experiences.
We are not aware of any documented cases of coracles directly resulting in baby deaths. We have also flagged concerns about Moses baskets due to the risk of small pieces breaking off. There’s also a lack of guidance about the stands they are placed on.
Some nurseries also feel that it’s more difficult to keep an eye on children in travel cots, as you have to lean over to look in to fully see the child inside.
Coracles have become a huge challenge for nurseries now they have been told these are unsafe for babies.
NDNA has pressed the DfE on the financial implications and asked for financial support for the sector as well as an update on the issue of capacity, as we still don’t know the outcome of the floor space consultation from 2025.
Regarding inspections, we have stressed the need for Ofsted to be flexible where settings have cots on back-order that have not arrived before September.
And we have queried how inspectors judge those forest school nurseries that are entirely outdoors where babies and toddlers sleep in buggies. At the time of going to press, we are still awaiting clarity on these points.
The DfE seems unwilling to change its mind on which types of beds are safe and which are not; the EYFS is now what nurseries will be inspected on.
However, it is equally important that nurseries are supported to implement these unexpected changes safely and sustainably.
Tim McLachlan is chief executive of NDNA.
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