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and care services to implement the National Quality Framework. Please share this important information with staff.

Sleep and rest recommendations

In December 2014 Coroner Lock, the Queensland Deputy State Coroner, handed down his Findings of Inquest in relation to the death of an infant who was being educated and cared for by a family day care service.

Coroner Lock found that the cause of death was Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Findings

For your information, the Deputy State Coroner made the following recommendations:

1.  It is recommended that Approved Providers of Early Childhood Education and Care Services ensure they have documented Sleep and Rest and Supervision policies incorporating best practice principles. SIDS and Kids has safe infant sleeping recommendations and has available for purchase the SIDS and Kids Infant Safe Sleeping Child Care Kit for Education and Care Services and this could be considered as a starting reference for any review of existing policies or in in the event there are no such policies in the course of implementing one.

2.  It is recommended that relevant governments give consideration to amending the National Regulations and in particular current Regulations 81 and 168 to require Approved Providers to have a written policy and procedure relating to Sleep and Rest under the Education and Care Services National Regulations based on contemporary best practice principles.

3.  I raise as an issue for public awareness that the ACCC has issued a Warning Notice concerning Amber teething necklaces on the basis they pose a strangulation and choking hazard and if used, should be removed while sleeping during the day or night.

It should be noted that these are currently recommendations only of the Coroner. They do not change the existing obligations of an Approved Provider under the current National Law.

More information

Further information regarding the Coroner’s findings can be found at http://www.courts.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/334882/cif-hicks-ir-20141212.pdf.

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