Toileting and Nappy Change

Policy

One World Children’s Centre accepts enrolments of children who have not yet been toilet trained. The centre has appropriate facilities to accommodate for these.

Through careful observation of the children and subsequent discussions with parents, staff will ascertain a child’s readiness for toilet training. After consultation with the parents, staff and parents determine whether toilet training should be started. A planned and relaxed process will commence. Staff will be made aware of any cultural practices and accommodated.

All children are to have their nappy changed or checked at least every 2 hours, children who are toilet training are to be reminded and encourage to go to the toilet

Implementation

At One World, we believe that routine activities are not simply concerned with children’s physical care but are occasions for social interaction, conversation and learning related to self-help and growing independence. Every transition between routine activities is recognised and used as an opportunity to develop new skills and knowledge in the children.

We believe that it is important that the concern for hygiene and for guiding the children’s developing control of their bodily functions is appropriately balanced with a sensitive approach to ensure each child’s comfort and to foster the child’s developing sense of competence.

Staff will encourage interest in imitation when they see other children using the toilet and will demonstrate a positive approach to the child gaining control and sense of competence.

Toileting and toilet learning at our Centre is supported by family grouping and are positive experiences for all children. Staff will assist and support all families in any way possible when the time comes to take the step of toilet training.

Toileting and nappy changing will be carried out at frequent intervals throughout the day. Children who are in nappies will have this detail recorded on the nappy change register which staff complete. This is located in the foyer to each bathroom for parents to check. Staff will be aware to maintain privacy when toileting and dressing.

Nappy changing will be carried out by staff members, however at times students are required to carry out this as part of their practical requirements. Students will be under the supervision of a staff member. Should a parent be in the bathroom helping their child a staff member must accompany any other children needing to use the bathroom at the same time.

At all times appropriate hygiene practices must be maintained and procedures followed to minimise any risk of infection. Staff will always promote healthy hygiene practices and hand washing procedures; taking over these with the children and encouraging the children to follow these practices

Toileting Procedure

Toileting occurs at any time of the day and is specific to individual needs. Staff will communicate with parents to develop consistency with their child’s toileting habits. Staff must be aware of and consider any special requirements related to culture, religion or privacy needs. Names of children who are toileting will be placed on the nappy checklist

encourage parents to bring along clean supplies of clothes - easy for the child to pull down and up themselves - limit fasteners
encourage and assist the child to sit on the potty or toilet at intervals throughout the day
staff will help the child to remove their clothing if needed
encourage the child to be independent in their toileting habits and provide assistance as and when needed
help the child to wipe themselves, encouraging them to wipe from front to back
encourage the child to flush the toilet
encourage and assist the child to wash their hands, then dry their hands on a clean washer and dispose in the correct bin.

If the child has soiled or wet their clothing:

Clean and dry the child
Assist the child to get dressed
Encourage and assist the child to wash and dry their hands
Ask the child to leave the bathroom and ask a staff member to resettle the child back into the program
Disinfect the potty / toilet and clean any spills (following the procedure for cleaning spills of body fluids)
Place any wet or soiled clothes in a plastic bag and place in the child’s home bag - rinse out any wet and soiled clothes
Remove and dispose of your gloves and wash and dry your hands.

Nappy Changing Procedure

All children are to have their nappy changed or checked each 2hours or as required following the below procedure

if the child is old enough, assist the child to use the steps to get onto the change table
If the child is unable to do this and you are unable to lift them place the change mat on the floor
at all times keep one hand on the child to prevent them falling from the change table
wipe the change table down (it will already have vinegar on it)
always wear gloves for a soiled nappy
change the child into our nappy on arrival, rinsing the child’s own cloth nappy, putting it in a plastic bag (tie the bag) and placing it in their bag (unless the parent is supplying their own disposable nappies)
remove the dirty nappy: ensure the nappy pin is closed (do not leave an unopened pin on the change bench), place soiled nappy in the relevant bin
clean the child’s bottom, wiping from front to back
remove your gloves now, before you touch the child’s clean clothes. Remove gloves by peeling them back from your wrists. Do not let your skin touch the outer contaminated surface of the glove. Put the gloves in the bin
spray vinegar onto the change mat ready for the next person to wipe down (vinegar is required to be left on the change mat for two minutes after every nappy change)
dress the child, wash and dry the child’s hands, wash and dry your hands then take the child back to the playroom and settle into an activity

NB:

Soiled cloth nappies are emptied into the toilet and flushed, then place the cloth nappy into the relevant bin.
Use nappy changing time to have one on one interactions with the children eg. singing
Gloves should be worn when changing dirty nappies because there are always millions of germs in faeces. Wearing gloves for wet nappies is not essential, although you may choose to use them. Because germs are not always found in urine. However, you should always wear gloves for all nappy changes if your hands have any cuts or cracked skin. It is also wise to wear gloves for all nappy changes if you are pregnant.

Sources

Staying Healthy in Child Care 4^th Edition

Date/s of Consultation:
Week 10^th October, 2011
Weeks 1^st and 8^th April, 2013
Date Reviewed: 1 April 2013
Date for Review: April 2014