35th Red Nose Day will take place next Friday to raise money for SIDS

The 35th annual Red Nose Day is taking place next Friday 11 August 2023, with early childhood education and care (ECEC) services invited to join in the fundraising efforts through Australia’s BIGGEST Disco fundraiser.

Charity Red Nose hopes to raise $1million to fund vital research into the causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) on Red Nose Day. 

As the recognised authority for safe sleep, Red Nose also provides support services for grieving families who are impacted by sleep related loss and offers education programs that will help save children’s lives.

Since October 2017, services have been required to keep policies and procedures about children’s sleep and rest. Red Nose Day is a useful reminder to services of the need to critically reflect upon their current sleep and rest practices. 

As advised in the Guide to the NQF, it is recommended that sleep and rest policies and procedures are reviewed and developed in line with the guidance from recognised authorities such as Red Nose. To support safe sleep, Red Nose recommends preventative measures such as:

• Placing babies on their backs to sleep 
• Keeping their face and head uncovered during rest
• Providing a safe sleep environment.

From 1 October 2023, new legislative requirements will require sleep and rest policies and procedures to address prescribed matters, with risk assessments undertaken. Approved providers will need to make any necessary updates to the sleep and rest policies and procedures as soon as practicable after conducting a sleep and rest risk assessment. More information can be found on the ACECQA website.

Free educator resources and factsheets are available on the Red Nose Australia page for further support on understanding and implementing safe sleep practices and to help services prepare for the upcoming changes in October.

Learn more about the Disco by visiting www.rednoseday.org.au/disco