In this policy, we're going to run through the correct procedures for both nappy changing, to minimise infection and cross contamination, and what we do when we come to toilet train
Nappy Changing and Toilet Training
At Hatching Dragons we aim to support children’s care and welfare on a daily basis in line with their individual needs. All children need contact with familiar, consistent carers to ensure they can grow confidently and feel self-assured. Wherever possible, each child’s key person will change nappies according to the child’s individual needs and requirements.
Our procedures meet best practice identified by the Health Protection Agency (2011) in ‘Best practice advice for nurseries and childcare settings’.
We will enable a two-way exchange between parents and key persons so that information is shared about nappy changing and toilet training in a way that suits the parents and meets the child’s needs. Parents will be engaged in the process of potty training and supported to continue potty training with their child at home.
We will use appropriate designated facilities for nappy changing which meet the following criteria:
- Facilities are separate to food preparation and serving areas and children’s play areas
- Changing mats have a sealed plastic covering and are frequently checked for cracks or tears. If cracks or tears are found, the mat is discarded. Disposable towels/roll are placed on top of the changing mat for added protection / or the community play integrated changing unit are used.
- Nappies are provided by the parents. Clean nappies are stored in a clean dry place; soiled nappies are placed in a ‘nappy sack’ or plastic bag before being placed in the bin. Bins are regularly emptied and placed in an appropriate waste collection area.
- Each child should have their own creams and lotions for any non-prescription cream for skin conditions e.g. Sudocrem. These are supplied by the parent/guardian and must be clearly labelled with the child’s name. Prior written permission is obtained from the parent. When applying creams for rashes, a gloved hand is used.
Staff changing nappies will:
- Use a new disposable apron and a pair of gloves for each nappy change and always wash hands before and after using gloves
- Clean, disinfect and dry mats thoroughly after each nappy change; disposable towels/roll must be discarded after each nappy change
- Ensure they have all the equipment they need before each nappy change.
We wish to ensure the safety and welfare of the children whilst being changed and safeguard against any potential harm, as well as ensuring the staff member involved is fully supported and able to perform their duties safely and confidently. We aim to support all parties through the following actions:
- Promoting consistent and caring relationships through the key person system in the nursery and ensuring all parents understand how this works and who they will be working with
- Using this one-to-one time as a key opportunity to talk to children and help them learn, e.g. through singing and saying rhymes during the change
- Ensuring that the nappy changing area is inviting.
- Ensuring all staff undertaking nappy changing have suitable enhanced DBS checks
- Training all staff in the appropriate methods for nappy changing
- Ensuring that no child is ever left unattended during the nappy changing time
- Making sure staff do not change nappies whilst pregnant until a risk assessment has been discussed and conducted; and that students only change nappies with the support and close supervision of a qualified member of staff
- Conducting thorough inductions for all new staff to ensure they are fully aware of all nursery procedures relating to nappy changing
- Ensuring hygiene procedures are followed appropriately, e.g. hands washed before and after nappies are changed and changing mats cleaned before and after each use
- Following up procedures through supervision meetings and appraisals to identify any areas for development or further training
- Working closely with parents on all aspects of the child’s care and education as laid out in the parent and carers as partner’s policy. This is essential for any intimate care routines which may require specialist training or support. If a child requires specific support, the nursery will arrange a meeting with the parent to discover all the relevant information relating to this to enable the staff to care for the child fully and meet their individual needs
- Ensuring all staff have an up-to-date understanding of child protection and how to protect children from harm. This includes identifying signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise these concerns as set out in the child protection policy
- Balancing the right for privacy for the children with the need for safeguarding children and adults by making sure intimate care routines do not take place behind closed doors
- Operating a whistleblowing policy to help staff raise any concerns relating to their peers or managers and helping staff develop confidence in raising concerns as they arise in order to safeguard the children in the nursery
- Conducting working practice observations of all aspects of nursery operations to ensure that procedures are working in practice and all children are supported fully by the staff. This includes all intimate care routines
- Conducting regular risk assessments of all aspects of nursery operations including intimate care and reviewing the safeguards in place. The nursery has assessed all the risks relating to intimate care routines and has placed appropriate safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all involved.
Toilet training
The transition from using nappies to learning to use the toilet / potty is an important stage of development for all children. It is our policy to give support and praise to children and to give advice and helpful ideas to their families.
- If a child is in the early stages of toilet training staff members are available to discuss with parents / carers and set up a personal care plan for individual children.
- Whilst a child is toilet training staff members communicate daily with parents through contact at the beginning and end of a session.
- If staff members feel a child is ready to learn to use the toilet they will talk to the child’s parents / carers and discover how they feel. We often find that if a child is dry at home only, parents / carers can be a little reluctant to send them without a nappy to pre – school or alternatively some parents / carers are unsure of how to start toilet training their child.
If a child is wearing a nappy at home and at Nursery staff members will suggest to parents / carers to encourage their child to try the toilet / potty when they are having their nappy changed. This can also be carried out at Nursery. When the Parents feel that it is the right time to remove the child’s nappy they will be asked to do this at home for a few days before the child’s nappy is removed at nursery.
- All children at Nursery are reminded to use the toilet throughout the session.
- Each child is given appropriate praise and encouragement for using the toilet or for having a try.
- All staff members are happy to deal with accidents and understand that having accidents is a part of the learning process.
- Children must always wash their hands after using the toilet and staff also must wash their hands and do this by modelling alongside the children.
- Parents / carers are asked to send their child in with a bag containing several changes of clothes.
- Children are changed in the toilet and wet/soiled clothing is put into a clean bag.
- Privacy, dignity and respect will be shown towards the children at all times.
- Staff will advise parents and carers of the child’s progress at the end of the day.
- Before taking a child to use the toilet or to change them, the staff member responsible will inform another member of staff. This is to ensure other staff members do not worry if they have seen that a child is missing from the group and also it is to ensure that staff members are aware of where other members
- Safeguarding and Hygiene routine procedures will be followed according to the nappy changing procedure.
If any parent or member of staff has concerns or questions about nappy changing and toilet training procedures or individual routines, please see the manager at the earliest opportunity.