Can a child sleep in the same bed with an adult caregiver?

• A. Yes, if the child is under three.
• B. Yes for respite care.
• C. No, not at any time.
• D. Yes if they are siblings.

Answer: (C)

Safety and professional boundaries require that a caregiver never shares a bed with a child. Bed-sharing introduces real risks of physical harm to the child, such as rolling or being overlapped during sleep, and it makes it harder to supervise the child effectively at night. It also creates potential for misinterpretation or allegations of inappropriate conduct, which places both the child and the caregiver at risk and can lead to licensing or safeguarding concerns.

Because of these risks, licensed child-placing practice standards require a separate, age-appropriate sleep space for the child and a plan for nighttime checks, while still maintaining close supervision and safety compliance. If a child needs nighttime care, provide a safe sleep surface in the same room (for example, a crib or toddler bed) and ensure the environment adheres to safe sleep guidelines.