Guidance

National Minimum Standards for Regulated Childcare for children up to the age of 12 years: statutory guidance - Audience and overview

Standard of care child minding and day care providers must meet to look after children under 12.

First published: 18 June 2026

Last updated: 18 June 2026

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Standard 25: Overnight Care

Child’s voice: If I stay overnight, I have everything I need to feel comfortable and safe, and my family know where I am and who is looking after me.

Well-being outcome: Children staying overnight feel safe, comfortable and emotionally supported in a setting that respects their routines and needs.

The registered person is responsible for ensuring that:

Contract

25.1 No child is received into the provision without emergency contact numbers being provided. If the parents are unavailable, another named person is available to collect the child if necessary.

25.2 A contract, signed by the parent, stating all relevant details about the child and care for the child, including the name of the emergency contact and confirmation of their agreement to collect the child during the night if necessary, is obtained.

Working with parents

25.3 Parents are consulted about and shown all the arrangements that are in place or will be made, for their child to be looked after overnight.

25.4 Providers request information from parents on the child’s sleeping habits and any problems which may arise during the night, e.g. bedwetting, nightmares etc. and seek to ensure a consistent and sensitive approach.

Staffing ratios

25.5 The relevant adult : child ratios are maintained overnight (see NMS 15). In non-domestic settings, a minimum of two members of childcare staff, one of whom must be awake, are on the premises at all times during the night.

Premises

25.6 The children sleep in a separate area or room, which is adequately heated.

25.7 Each child staying overnight has a suitable bed or cot and clean bedding.

25.8 Children have access to adequate toilet and washing facilities. The privacy of older children is respected during bath time and when undressing.

Safety

25.9 The sleeping areas do not have any health or safety hazards.

25.10 Sleeping areas to be used by children have a smoke alarm installed in the room and a safe escape route from the premises in case of fire (normally, a door opening on to a landing or hallway that leads directly to an external door).

25.11 Appropriate security systems are in place in order to protect the premises from unauthorised entry. No one over the age of 16 may stay on the premises overnight unless a satisfactory enhanced criminal record certificate (DBS enhanced disclosure) has been issued in respect of that person.

Health

25.12 There is a good general level of hygiene, decoration and cleanliness in all sleeping areas.

Food and drink

25.13 Suitable healthy meals/feeds/drinks are provided. Requirements are discussed with parents in advance.

To assist providers, the principal regulatory requirements underpinning this standard are outlined below, followed by relevant guidance. Providers should note that neither list is exhaustive, and that providers must have regard to all relevant standards relevant to their service and the circumstances concerned.