Nappy changing policy and procedure.
How we provide a safe, hygienic, and respectful nappy change experience for every child.
Introduction
Meeting the needs of children by providing clean nappies and a safe and hygienic place for changing children is a basic need that is important for children's comfort and happiness.
"Nappy changing and toileting rituals are also valuable opportunities to promote children's learning, meet individual needs and to develop strong relationships with children. Having their needs met in a caring and responsive way builds children's sense of trust and security - which relates strongly to the Early Years Learning Framework." p.66, Guide to the Education and Care Services National Law and the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011.
Aim
To limit the possibilities of the spread of infection. Our Centre will follow best practice guidelines for nappy changing to ensure the area is hygienic and to reduce the spread of infectious disease. Our Centre aims to make the nappy change experience a relaxed, happy, and social routine that provides an opportunity for educators and children to further develop trusting and positive relationships.
Purpose
To maintain a high standard of hygiene while carrying out nappy change procedures.
To ensure the health of staff and children in the centre.
Implementation
Nappy changes occur frequently and as needed throughout the day.
Preparation
Ensure that all nappy, nappy change creams, wipes, gloves, soapy water, and anything that is needed is available within reach.
Wash your hands before beginning a nappy change cycle.
Put on gloves (gloves to be worn at every nappy change).
Place paper on the change mat.
Changing
Lift child onto mat (for older children encourage them to walk up stairs with assistance).
Remove child's clothing and unfasten nappy. Place any soiled clothes in a wet bag to be placed in the soiled items container after change is complete. If clothing heavily soiled place in plastic bag and then put in wet bag.
Wipe child's bottom using baby wipes. Always wipe front to back. Place dirty wipes in the nappy and remove the nappy from the child and place in the designated bin.
Remove the paper and throw in the bin.
Remove your gloves. (Pinch the outside of one glove near the wrist and peel the glove off so it ends up inside out. Keep hold of the peeled-off glove in your gloved hand while you take off the other glove—put one or two fingers of your ungloved hand inside the wrist of the other glove. Peel off the second glove from the inside, and over the first glove, so you end up with the two gloves inside out, one inside the other and put them in the bin).
If cream is needed put on fresh gloves and apply cream, then remove gloves as stated above. For soiled nappies if required apply nappy cream on the child's bottom.
Fasten a clean nappy of appropriate size to the child.
Redress the child.
Take the child away from the change table and move them to a small hand basin.
Wash your hands and the child’s hands (for infants who cannot stand at a small hand basin, wash their hands with pre-moistened disposable wipes).
Cleaning
Wipe down nappy change table with detergent and warm water solution and disposable paper towel after each nappy change. If body fluids have got on the surface, clean then disinfect the surface. Wear gloves to clean the nappy change area.
Wash your hands thoroughly according to the hand washing procedure and enter nappy change into centres App for each child.
Use detergent and warm water solution to clean nappy change mat after each nappy change and to clean the nappy change area at the end of a session of nappies. Thoroughly clean and disinfect nappy change area at lunch and at the end of the day. Use gloves at all times and disposable towels (ensure that mat is washed down properly and dry before placing a child on the mat).
STRATEGIES
Approved Providers will
Provide adequate and appropriate hygienic facilities for nappy changing.
Ensure nappy change facilities are designed and located in a way that prevents unsupervised access by children.
Ensure that adult hand washing facilities are located within the nappy change area.
Consult the Building Code of Australia for requirements concerning nappy change benches. (Centre-based services.).
Ensure that the nappy change facilities are designed and maintained in a way that facilitates supervision of children at all times, having regard to the need to maintain the rights and dignity of the children.
Nominated Supervisor will
Develop and implement policies, procedures, and training with educators to ensure nappy change procedures that support children's safety, protection, relationships, and learning.
Develop systems with educators to ensure that soiled clothing and soiled nappies are disposed of or stored in a location children cannot access.
Educators will
Discuss children's individual needs with families to ensure practices are reflective of the home environment and are culturally sensitive.
Provide information to families regarding children's nappy change patterns.
Utilise nappy change times to interact with children on an individual basis. The nappy change time will allow educators to converse, sing, play, and generally interact with the child. This time allows educators and children to learn more about each other and understand each child's personality and personal strengths; and
Organise the nappy change area to promote positive interactions and promote positive learning experiences, e.g., place pictures or mobiles to stimulate children's interactions and to encourage learning.
Educators will maintain effective supervision at all times by
Fully supervising and maintaining physical contact with children throughout the nappy change experience. No child will be left alone on a nappy change mat.
Keeping nappy change areas fully stocked with all required materials at all times. Educators are responsible for maintaining the supplies to meet the needs of individual children. Supplies will be readily accessible to staff to ensure efficiency and the health and safety of each child.
Encouraging mobile children to walk to the nappy change area. Educators will assist the child to walk up the steps onto the nappy change bench to reduce repetitive movements by educators and to promote children's agency. Where a child is not walking, educators will follow manual handling practices to lift and carry the child to the nappy change mat.
Educators will practice effective hygiene by: utilising the 'Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care Services 6th Edition' practices when changing a nappy to reduce the spread of infection.
Additional strategies
Nappy bins will be located out of children's reach. Nappy bins will be emptied after each bulk nappy change during the day and at the end of each day. This may need to be done more regularly if there are soiled nappies.
Educators will clean nappy change mats and areas after each use. They will be thoroughly cleaned with warm soapy water and paper towel and disinfected once during the middle of the day and at the end of each day or if body fluids have come in contact with the nappy change mat.
Children's nappies will be changed at scheduled intervals as determined by the nominated supervisor and educators. Nappies will also be checked throughout the day to ensure children are not susceptible to nappy rash and discomfort. A system to record this routine will be maintained for reporting purposes.
Nappy change and hand washing procedures will be displayed visually and in community languages as appropriate in the nappy change area.
EVALUATION
Nappy change experiences are safe and hygienic. They are considerate of children's diversity and family practices. Children's learning and development is engaged by staff to ensure the experience is relaxing for both children and staff.
NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED ON THE CHANGE TABLE
NEVER STEP AWAY FROM THE CHILD EVEN FOR A MOMENT
UNDERANYCIRCUMSTANCES
Source: National Quality Standard
Education and Care Services National Regulations
Community Early Learning Australia
Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases in Early Childhood Education and Care Services 6th Edition
Sources
- Centre Support
This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.