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Raising CO Kids Guide

Safe Sleep and Child Care Providers

Licensed child care providers must follow rules to make sure infants are safe. Use the Colorado Shines Find a Program tool to confirm that your provider is licensed or to search for a licensed child care program. If your child care provider is a family member, friend, or neighbor, they should still take steps to protect your baby. Ask your child care provider if they follow the requirements below. You can also print and share this flyer on safe sleep with your provider.

Safe sleep requirements for licensed child care providers:

  • Approved cribs or other infant sleep equipment must meet Consumer Safety Product Commission Standards. Standards can be found at CPSC.com.
  • Mattresses must be firm. Only use mattresses manufactured or recommended for the specific model of crib or other sleep equipment.
  • All caregivers who work with infants must complete the Colorado Department of Human Services-approved safe sleep training prior to working with infants and on an annual basis. Training is free, online, and available in both English and Spanish at ECPD.COStartStrong.org.
  • Soft bedding and materials that could pose a suffocation hazard are not permitted in cribs, playpens, futons, or other rest time equipment for children under 1 year of age.
  • Infants must be placed on their back for sleeping.
  • Swaddling infants is only allowed with a health care plan completed and signed by the child’s physician.
  • Infants up to 12 months of age who use a pacifier must have a pacifier offered when being put down to sleep.
  • All sleep/rest equipment must be safe, sturdy, and free of hazards.
  • Sheets must be fitted to the mattress. Sheets should not be so loose that the infant can pull on the sheet. The sheet should not be so tight that the mattress corners pull upwards.
  • Infants who fall asleep in a car seat, infant seat, or other equipment not approved for infant safe sleep must be moved immediately to an approved sleep area and placed on their back.
  • Music, when played in or near the sleeping area, must be played at a volume that does not prevent the caregiver from hearing the infant.
  • Toys that are attached to the crib, including mobiles, are not permitted in the crib or other approved sleep equipment.
  • Infant monitors must be used when infants are sleeping in a separate room out of direct supervision.
  • Supervised tummy time must be offered to infants 1 month of age or older up to 30 minutes per day. If the infant falls asleep during tummy time, immediately place them on their back in approved sleeping equipment.
  • The room temperature must be maintained at a comfortable level so the infant does not overheat or become sweaty. Sleep sacks can be used in lieu of blankets if needed for additional warmth.
  • Infants should be protected from cigarette smoke, including second- and third-hand smoke. Third-hand smoke is residual nicotine left on indoor surfaces including clothing.
  • The facility must have safe sleep policies and ensure they are followed at all times.

Approved Sleep “blankets” for licensed child care:

  • Licensed child care providers may only use “wearable blanket” sleep sacks that do not swaddle such as the Halo-brand Sleep Sack©. The manufacturers of the Zipadee-Zip© and the Magic Merlin Sleepsuit© have not been approved for use in child care facilities. Swaddle-style sleep sacks may only be used with a doctor’s note.
  • If you believe your child care provider is not practicing safe sleep, we encourage you to call the Colorado Department of Early Childhood at 1.800.799.5876 to file a complaint.

Tips to Talk to Your Child Care Provider or Trusted Caregiver:

  • Whether you are searching for a new child care provider or talking to your current provider, it is important to discuss safe sleep.
  • Ask these questions to start a conversation on safe sleep:
    • May I see where my baby sleeps?
    • Have you completed any training on safe sleep?
    • How is my baby positioned when they sleep?
    • Do you offer my baby a pacifier when he/she is being put down to sleep?
    • How often do you check on sleeping infants?
    • During tummy time, is someone making sure my baby’s eyes are open?
    • If my baby gets cold, do you use a blanket or change the temperature of the room?
    • May I see a copy of your safe sleep policies?
We strongly encourage parents of infants to review inspection reports of licensed child care providers. If the provider has a sleep-related violation on their report, it is very important to ask the provider what steps they have taken to correct the problem. Search for a licensed child care provider and view their reports of inspection.

Checklist for baby’s first day in care:

Baby’s first day in child care is an exciting time! It’s important to make sure you pack items to support your baby while they are in care. It’s even more important that you take time to ensure your baby is in a safe environment. Print this checklist or use the list below to make sure you’re ready for baby’s first day! Pack the following items:
  • Sheets and sleep sacks. Some child care providers may ask you to provide sheets for your child’s crib. Make sure the sheets fit the child care provider’s mattress snugly. Instead of blankets, pack a sleep sack to keep your baby warm. It’s often a good idea to pack an extra sleep sack in case of a diaper leak.
  • Diapers, wipes, and creams. Make sure you supply plenty of diapers, wipes, and creams that work well for your baby
  • Extra pacifier and lovey. While your baby may have a favorite pacifier or lovey they use at both home and in care, you may want to pack an extra one you can leave with your child care provider in case it becomes lost or is left at home.
  • Clothing and Bibs. Include an extra outfit or two, packed in a gallon-size resealable bags. The bags can be used to return dirty clothes. Families may want to purchase a supply of bibs to use only at child care. Smaller bibs help if your baby is teething and drooling, and larger bibs can be used at meal times.
  • Formula or Breast Milk. Send in enough bottles for the day plus an extra in case of an emergency. If your baby drinks formula, send it pre-measured in each bottle. If you use powdered formula, your child care provider can add water at feeding time. If sending breast milk, ask the provider how they want it packed.
  • Label EVERYTHING! Make sure the child care provider and their staff know which bottles, clothing, pacifiers and diapers belong to your baby. Be sure to label items with your child’s first and last name.
  • Make sure your baby will be sleeping in a safe environment:
    • Ask for a copy of the safe sleep policy.
    • Verify the child care provider has completed safe sleep training.
    • If your child is sleeping in a car seat when you arrive, make sure the provider immediately moves your baby to an approved sleep surface.
    • Confirm the sleep equipment is sturdy, the mattress is firm and covered with a tightly fitting sheet and the sleeping area free of bedding, soft materials, toys, or other hazards.
    • If other infants are asleep, check to see if they are all on their backs. Some babies may be old enough to turn over on their own!
    • If your child prefers to be swaddled, make sure you provide a copy of your child’s health care plan signed by a physician.
    • Check the temperature of the room your baby will sleep in to make sure it is not too warm. Ask if your provider uses sleep sacks if needed for additional warmth.
    • If music is playing, make sure it’s not too loud to prevent the provider from hearing your baby.
    • If the provider does not stay in the room while your child sleeps, make sure they use a baby monitor and check on your sleeping baby frequently.

Safe Sleep Resources:

  • The American Academy of Pediatrics provides tips and guidelines to practice safe sleep.
  • The Safe Sleep Academy provides helpful tips for putting your baby to sleep safely, soothing fussy babies, and making your entire home a safe place for baby.
  • Cribs for Kids® Partners in Colorado provide safe sleep education for parents and caregivers, and many provide portable cribs to those who qualify. Partners may have a different set of requirements for receiving portable cribs and some partners only provide safe sleep education, but not cribs, however they may know of other programs that are available in your area that can assist you.
  • More information on safe sleep can be found on the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Children’s Hospital Colorado websites.
The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines
The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines
Are you interested in learning about the expectations for your child's development based on their age? The Colorado Early Learning and Development Guidelines describe the path of children’s learning and development from birth to 8 years old. Broken down by age and major milestones, the guidelines are a sort of map, helping parents and caregivers navigate their child's early years. Experts from across Colorado developed these guidelines to create a shared understanding and a coordinated approach to learning and development.

Curious about what your little one is thinking at this age? Wondering what you can do to help them thrive and reach their developmental milestones? Check out the guidelines using the link below.
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Raising Colorado Kids Guide is brought to you by the Colorado Office of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us

Contact Us

Raising Colorado Kids Guide is brought to you by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood..

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdec_communications@state.co.us

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