In this policy/procedure, words in italic text are defined terms which have the specific meanings set out in Gowrie Victoria Policies and Procedures – Definitions and Abbreviations.

Purpose

This procedure sets out steps to be taken to ensure that:

• nappy changing and toileting rhythms are enriched care-giving experiences for children
• high standards of hygiene are followed by educators and children

Scope

This procedure applies to all staff members, volunteers, students on placement and contractors/labour hire employees of Gowrie Victoria.

Procedure Statement

Resources

Each early learning manager must ensure that:

• nappy change facilities are available for each room, and are equipped with:
• nappy change mats which are in good condition and can be cleaned easily
• hands-free bins for disposal of soiled nappies
• there is a sufficient supply of nappy-change consumables, including:
• disposable gloves
• disposable wipes
• all nappy changing and toilet areas are cleaned regularly
• soiled nappies are in a lidded bin pending collection from the service

Incorporating nappy changing and toileting into children’s rhythms

Engaging with families

Working with families to pick up on readiness cues will support the child whilst they learn to use the toilet, this is also an opportunity to discuss cultural practices with a family. Maintaining consistency between home and the service has the potential to make the process of learning to use the toilet easier for children and reduces confusion. Early years leaders and educators must: (Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 s143E)

• discuss each child’s toileting rhythms with their family to establish a practical toileting plan for that child
• for children who are using toilets, ask children’s families to ensure that their child is dressed in comfortable clothes which allow free movement and assist the child to dress and undress as required for the toilet
• ask families to provide spare clothes for their children, and a wet bag labelled with the child’s name

Approach

Early years leaders and educators should:

• approach nappy changing and toileting in a way which maintains at all times the dignity and rights of each child, and gives each child positive guidance
• use nappy changing and toileting times as opportunities to have one on one interactions with children using both verbal and non-verbal communication
• discuss and model hygiene practices with children as part of the toileting routine

Work practices

Nappy changing

1. Step 1: Wash your hands before beginning the changing procedure and ensure you have everything within reach
2. Step 2: Gloves must be worn when handling soiled nappies, but otherwise can be worn at your own discretion
3. Step 3: Place the child safely on the nappy change bench. For crawling and walking children, assist them to use the stairs to climb up to the nappy change bench
4. Step 5: Remove the child’s nappy and place it into a lidded bin
5. Step 6: Remove any clothes with urine or faeces on them and place in a wet bag labelled with the child’s name
6. Step 8: Clean the child’s bottom using the available wipes
7. Step 9: Remove your gloves by peeling them back from your wrists, turning them inside out as you go. Put the gloves into the bin
8. Step 10: Apply a clean nappy and dress the child/ support child to dress themselves.
9. Step 11: Assist the child to climb back down the stairs if able or lift them down onto the floor
10. Step 12: Assist the child to wash and dry their hands
11. Step 13: Help the child away from the nappy change area
12. Step 14: Clean the bench and surrounding areas with Cleaner Sanitiser
13. Step 15: Return the labelled wet bag to the child’s locker or the bathroom area to be collected on departure
14. Step 16: Wash your hands

Toilet accidents

If a toilet accident occurs:

1. Step 1: Quietly invite the child to move to the bathroom with you. This ensures that their privacy is maintained
2. Step 2: Put on gloves and assist the child to remove any wet or soiled clothing, flush any solid particles down the toilet
3. Step 3: Ensure the child is clean of any urine or faeces
4. Step 4: Place soiled clothes into a wet bag labelled with the child’s name
5. Step 5: Remove gloves and assist child to get dressed into a change of clothing
6. Step 6: Ensure the child washes and dries their hands with assistance if needed
7. Step 7: Return the labelled wet bag to the child’s locker or the bathroom area to be collected on departure
8. Step 8: Wash your hands

Toileting

• Support children to use the toilet. Educators should position themselves in or around the bathroom area, as developmentally appropriate to the individual child, ensuring effective supervision takes place. Be respectful and sensitive to children’s dignity and rights to privacy.
• Provide encouragement and an unhurried approach. Educators should respond to children’s cues and talk to them about the process, allowing them to be active participants. Allow children to take their time and not feel pressured
• Ask or remind children if they need to use the toilet and offer help if needed. Educators should use discretion, so the child’s self-esteem is protected
• Use correct words. Where possible use the correct terms for going to the toilet- ask families what words they use at home, as consistent language between home and the service will help children to understand and learn more easily.
• Timely response. Respond quickly (verbally or non-verbally) when a child indicates they need to use the toilet
• Discuss what is happening. Talk to children about using the toilet and the toilet routine, so that they can then:
• recognise the need to use the toilet
• know how to pull down their pants. Assist the child if necessary.
• sit on the toilet and maintain their balance. Assist the child if necessary.
• wipe their bottom. Apply gloves and assist the child if necessary.
• get off the toilet. Assist the child if necessary.
• pull up their pants. Assist the child if necessary.
• flush the toilet
• wash and dry their hands. Assist the child if necessary.
• Acknowledge the child’s efforts. Acknowledge all attempts to use the toilet, especially successes

Hygiene, cleaning and waste disposal

General requirements

Early years leaders and educators must ensure that:

• nappy change and toilet areas are maintained in a clean and hygienic state
• only cleaning materials which are safe for children are used in the nappy change and toilet areas
• all cleaning materials are safely stored after each use and are inaccessible to children
• nappy change tables and toilets are cleaned after each use to prevent any cross-infection from one child to another
• soiled clothing is placed in clearly labelled wet bags are securely stored in a dedicated receptacle out of reach of children ready for collection by the child’s family each day

Additional hygiene measures for infectious diseases

If there is a suspected or confirmed outbreak of gastroenteritis or other infectious disease at the service, infection control must be increased by:

• using chlorine-based disinfectant for cleaning, using chlor-clean.
• following the procedure for cleaning in the Illness and Infectious Diseases Procedure

Accidental spills

Early years leaders and educators must have a spill kit ready for use and clean any area affected by urine or faeces by:

• covering spill with Nilogel
• scooping this up into a plastic bag
• disinfecting with a freshly made bleach solution, using chlor-clean
• wiping the area down and drying with a clean cloth

Place all materials used in the clean-up in a plastic bag and dispose of in a secure rubbish receptacle.

Authorisation

Approved by the Executive Manager, Early Learning

Name	Nicole Pilsworth
Signature
Date	18 September  2023

References