Safe Sleep Space

19/11/2025

🧠🌙 Sleep & Rest: A Foundation for Lifelong Well-being

According to AAIMH, infancy is “a critical period for development … the foundations for lifelong health are built early.” 

When we see safe sleep and rest purely as practical tasks, we miss a powerful opportunity: the chance for nurturing connection, emotional regulation and a child’s sense of security.

At Sleep Smart Education, our training uses a Circle of Security–informed approach, guiding educators to see sleep and rest as more than just downtime. By prioritising responsive, emotionally-secure relationships during these moments, we help children feel safe, calm and confident — laying groundwork for positive sleep habits and healthy social-emotional development.

AAIMH’s guidance on infant sleep highlights that “responding to an infant’s needs/crying … will contribute to the infant’s sense of security and developing regulatory capacity.” 

Imagine naptime not as a pause in the day, but as a meaningful transition where children learn self-regulation, trust, and emotional safety — skills that ripple out into relationships, learning and life.

If you’re interested in exploring how safe sleep and emotional development can work hand-in-hand in your early learning service, we would love to connect.

Photo source from AAIMH website.
Links to these statements and guidelines can be found here: https://lnkd.in/gbaGhD55

30/10/2025

🌙 Starting childcare is a big milestone - for little ones and parents! Worried about how your child will sleep?

Here are our top tips to help make the transition smoother:
✨ Do your research: Ask about the centre’s nap routine and Safe Sleep policy, and try to mirror parts of their approach at home.

🤝 Be consistent: Work with educators to align settling techniques - consistency builds comfort and confidence.

💬 Communicate: Provide the centre with as much information as possible - about how the child typically falls asleep, how they generally wake up - If your child is used to being rocked or fed to sleep, educators can help guide a gentle move toward independent sleep.

🏡 Plan visits: Short orientation visits - especially around nap time - to help your child get familiar with the space.

With patience, preparation, and teamwork, your little one will soon be snoozing happily at childcare. 💕

For a more detailed guide, please visit https://lnkd.in/gwRgKPCf

29/10/2025

It’s been such a privilege to host and support the Circle of Security® Parenting (COS-P) facilitator training on behalf of Ternity Group Pty Ltd . Watching the wonderful Neil Borris conduct these trainings and meeting so many passionate, diverse professionals in Melbourne, Brisbane, and soon in Sydney.

Every event reminds me of the heart behind COS: helping parents and caregivers understand what children need most — safety, connection, and being “with” them through life’s journey.

This latest Circle of Security International article on sleep training reminds us why this work matters so much:
Sleep, like all caregiving, is about connection.

That message sits right at the heart of what we do through Safe Sleep Space, Nourish Baby, and Sleep Smart — supporting families with care, respect, and emotional attunement.

I’m grateful to be part of a community so deeply committed to helping families and Early Years Educators build secure relationships — one safe, supported moment at a time.

Lean how secure attachment develops with responsive presence and reflection, not perfect technique.

03/09/2025

On Early Childhood Educators Day, Sleep Smart and Safe Sleep Space extend their heartfelt gratitude to Early Years Educators who do so much more than teach - You create calm, comforting environments where little ones can rest, recharge and thrive.
Your gentle routines, soothing words and thoughtful care help children feel safe and secure during sleep and rest times.
Thank you for recognising the importance of rest in Early Childhood and for making every day a little brighter - and a little more restful - for the children in your presence. With appreciation from all of us at Safe Sleep Space and Sleep Smart, Happy Early Childhood Educators Day!

19/08/2025

We are thrilled to announce that onemedifund has officially launched the Early Parenting Support Program in partnership with Nourish Baby and Safe Sleep Space.

Eligible onemedifund contributors now have access to our self-paced online antenatal education and 1:1 virtual support from trusted health professionals — guiding them through pregnancy, birth, and the early years of parenting.

We are proud to partner with like-minded organisations like onemedifund to provide accessible, evidence-based care that supports families throughout their journey into parenthood.

13/08/2025

📢 2025 Circle of Security Parenting Facilitator Training is open for registration. Join us in Melbourne, Brisbane or Sydney. Trainings are always a sellout, so register early and take advantage of early bird pricing -> Circle of Security Training | Australia – Safe Sleep Space
Circle of Security Parenting implements decades of attachment research in an accessible step-by-step process for use in group settings, home visitation, or individual counselling.

Who should attend?
Child Health Nurses, Midwives, Psychologists, Teachers, Early Years Educators, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, Mental Health Counsellors, Home Visitors, Family Support Workers, Outreach Workers, Behaviour Support Specialists, Occupational Therapists and anyone providing parenting education and/or counselling to parents of young children.