Fostering Babies and Under-5s: Contact, Routines and Equipment

Caring for a baby or toddler through fostering is equal parts tenderness and teamwork. You’re building secure routines, meeting rapid developmental needs and, at the same time, supporting contact with birth family in a way that’s safe, child-centred and court-compliant. This guide brings those pieces together—so you know what typically happens, what you’ll need at home, and how to make everyday moments count.

Why babies and under-5s come into care

The reasons vary—parental ill-health, substance misuse, domestic abuse, chronic neglect, or a short-term crisis while assessments take place. Plans can move quickly at this age, so you might see shorter placements, parent assessments, or parallel plans leading either to rehabilitation home or permanence (long-term fostering, SGO or adoption). Your role is to keep the child safe and thriving while professionals make decisions.

Contact with birth family: purpose, planning and your role

Contact (sometimes called “family time”) helps children maintain key relationships and identity. For babies and under-5s, it is usually frequent but shorter to match attention spans and feeding/sleep cycles. The type—supervised, supported or unsupervised—is set by the court and the local authority, and can change over time.

Scheduling and transport. Expect contact to be arranged at a contact centre or community venue, typically during the day. Your supervising social worker (SSW) or the child’s social worker will confirm frequency, duration and who transports. In many areas, carers do some travel for practicality; mileage is normally reimbursed. When contact is frequent, build journeys into nap or feed windows so the child arrives calm.

Preparing the child. Pack essentials—nappies, wipes, a spare outfit, comforter, formula or expressed milk as agreed, sippy cup, snacks, favourite toy or board book. Use neutral, child-centred language around handovers and keep your tone warm. If separation is hard, a simple transitional ritual (the same song, the same cuddle, the same blanket) can reduce anxiety.

Recording. Your daily logs should capture facts rather than opinions: whether the child settled, ate, napped, interacted, and how the handover went. If you spot patterns (for example, unsettled sleep on contact days), note them neutrally and share with your SSW. These observations help social workers fine-tune schedules and support plans.

When contact is tricky. Babies can’t describe distress, so watch cues: changed feeding, clinginess, disturbed sleep, or unusual crying. Feed this back quickly. If a parent appears intoxicated or a session raises safeguarding concerns, follow procedure: alert staff on site and record what happened. Never change arrangements yourself—use the agreed escalation route.

Building secure routines at home

Babies and toddlers learn safety through repetition and attuned care. Routines aren’t rigid timetables; they’re predictable rhythms the child can rely on.

Sleep. Follow current safer-sleep guidance: clear, flat sleep space, on the back, smoke-free home, room-share where required for age, no bulky bedding or toys in the cot. Many children arrive overtired; start with gentle, consistent settle cues—darkened room, short bedtime routine, the same phrase, the same lullaby. Expect regressions after contact or big appointments; go back to basics and hold the routine steady.

Feeding. Clarify feeding plans at placement: type of formula, preparation method, sterilising routine, allergies or intolerances; for breastmilk, confirm storage and labelling. For weaning toddlers, use simple, nutritious meals and a calm pace—rushing mealtimes can trigger resistance. Keep note of quantities and any reactions; professionals rely on your pattern-spotting.

Attachment. Skin-to-skin for babies, floor play at the child’s level, eye contact and responsive cooing/chat help wire the brain for trust. For toddlers, games that involve turn-taking, copying and shared attention (peek-a-boo, rolling a ball, simple puzzles) are perfect. Narrate everyday life—“now we’re zipping your coat”—to build language and connection.

Transitions and change. Warn toddlers about what’s coming next, even if they’re tiny. Short, consistent phrases—“two more turns, then bath”—plus visual cues (pointing to the bath, showing a towel) reduce meltdowns and give the child a sense of control.

Health, development and key appointments

On arrival, the child should have an Initial Health Assessment and a Personal Child Health Record (the “red book”). You’ll liaise with the GP, health visitor and dentist (for toddlers), ensure immunisations are up to date, and attend any follow-ups (hearing/vision, growth, CAMHS/early help where needed). Keep a simple diary of milestones—first smile, first steps, new words—alongside any concerns such as reflux, recurrent ear infections or developmental delays. Early referrals matter; your close-up observations often start the right support.

Equipment you’ll actually use

It’s easy to overspend; start with safe basics and add as needed. Typically, you’ll want a safe sleep space (cot or cot-bed that meets current standards, firm mattress and fitted sheets), approved car seat fitted to your vehicle, pram/buggy, carrier or sling, changing mat, digital thermometer, baby monitor, bottle-making/sterilising kit, age-appropriate feeding equipment, stair gates if relevant, bath support and soft towels, night-light, a play rug and a handful of robust toys/books. Many agencies provide a start-up budget or loan key items; keep receipts and follow the expenses policy.

Car seats. Use an age- and size-appropriate, R129/i-Size compliant seat installed exactly as per the manual. Babies must travel rear-facing; winter coats off before harnessing; straps snug at collarbone. If contact staff transport the child, ensure they are aware of the child’s seat requirements and that the seat travels with the child if necessary.

Home safety. Complete your home risk assessment with your SSW: blind-cord safety, hot-drink hazards, pet supervision, medication locked away, window restrictors, safe storage for cleaning products, and a plan for visitors. Revisit the safer caring policy whenever the child’s mobility or routines change.

Managing big feelings in very small people

Babies and toddlers express stress through bodies, not words. You may see colic-like crying, clinginess, sleep disruption, food refusal or developmental regressions after contact or medical appointments. Respond with steadiness: keep your routines, lower stimulation, offer extra holding time and soothing sensory input (rocking, white noise, warm bath). For toddlers, name the feeling simply—“sad”, “cross”, “wobbly”—and model co-regulation through calm breathing and slow movements. If patterns persist, loop in your SSW and health visitor; tiny adjustments (earlier naps, different contact timing) can help a lot.

Working well with birth parents

Your warmth towards birth family supports the child’s identity. Share practical updates through the agreed channel (contact book or secure app): nap length, what the child enjoyed, new words, photos if permitted. Provide continuity items—a muslin or small toy that travels between homes—so the child carries familiar scents and textures. Avoid mixed messages; never promise outcome decisions or give personal contact details outside the plan. If reunion is the plan, your positivity and consistency help that succeed.

Recording that stands up in court

Write as if your notes may be read in court—which they may. Stick to who/what/when with clear, neutral language. “Slept 12:45–14:05 in cot; woke crying; settled after 5 minutes rocking; took 120 ml formula; normal nappies x2” tells a professional story without judgement. Separate fact from hypothesis: “Cried during handover; may be overtired as missed morning nap.” Store photos, letters and mementos following data protection guidance and your agency’s policy.

Money, allowances and claiming expenses (the short version)

Your weekly fostering allowance is there to cover the child’s day-to-day costs. On top, you may receive a carer fee/skill payment depending on your agency and your level, and additional payments for birthdays, holidays and equipment. Keep all receipts for agreed purchases and claim mileage for school, health and contact runs as per policy. If a placement ends quickly, ask how returns of big items are handled—many agencies operate a shared equipment store so carers aren’t out of pocket.

When things don’t go to plan

Illness happens; so do no-shows for contact, sleep regression after a vaccine, or an out-of-the-blue tantrum at teatime. Your compass is safety + predictability. If contact is missed, stick to the ordinary routine and let professionals manage rebooking. If you’re worried about a health or safeguarding issue, raise it the same day with your SSW or the duty line and record the facts. Trust your observations—they’re a vital part of the team’s decision-making.

The heart of it all

What changes futures for babies and under-5s in foster care isn’t fancy equipment; it’s consistent, attuned care delivered day after day. You’re the steady pair of hands who notices the small things, logs them well, and advocates for what the child needs. Hold the routine. Keep the contact child-centred. Ask for help early. And celebrate the tiny wins—a longer nap, a broader grin, a new word—because those are the building blocks of secure, healthy lives.