Nappy Change and Toileting Policy
Nappy Change Procedure
Preparation:
Changing:
Cleaning
Updated June 2024
Due for Review June 2025
Nappy Change and Toileting Policy
Education and Care Services National Regulations, 103, 105, 106, 109, 115, 156
National Quality Standards NQS Quality Area 2.
Policy Purpose
Our service aims to meet the needs of children by providing a clean, safe and hygienic place for nappy change and toileting. We believe that nappy changing and toileting rituals are 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. We aim to ensure best practice guidelines are adhered to for nappy changing and toileting, ensuring the area is hygienic, reducing the spread of infectious disease.
Scope
Background Information and Procedure
Our service accepts enrolments of children who are not yet using the toilet. Nappy change and toileting transpires at designated routine times and when meeting children’s individual needs. Educators will collaborate with parents to develop stability with their child’s nappy change and toileting practices. Educators will be responsive to special requirements related to culture, religion or privacy needs.
Toileting and nappy changing will be carried out at frequent intervals throughout the day. Children who are in nappies will have each nappy change recorded on the Nappy Changing/ Toileting section of the child’s Xplor profile. A back up paper copy will be available if the centre loses internet connection for digital documentation purposes.
Having their needs met quickly and in a caring responsive way builds children’s sense of trust and security. Children also benefit from having the pleasant sensory experience of being free of a nappy and the comfort of having a fresh, dry nappy. It is also important to remember that the way that Early Childhood Educators react to soiled or wet nappies, toileting needs and accidents give children powerful messages about themselves and their bodies and is done in a positive and respectful way.
Meeting children’s physical needs, nappy changing and toileting are an imperative time for Educators to:
All Educators will carry out nappy changing, however at times if a student is required to carry out this as part of their practical requirements – they will be under the constant supervision of a qualified Educator. 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.
Appropriate hygiene practices must be maintained and procedures followed to minimise any risk of infection at all times. Educators will continuously promote healthy hygiene practices and hand washing procedures, encouraging the children to follow these practices. These hygiene practices can be seen in our Handwashing and Hygiene Policies.
The Approved Provider will:
The Nominated Supervisor will:
Educators will:
Toilet Training
Our Service accepts enrolments of children who have not yet been toilet trained. Toileting occurs at any time of the day and is specific to individual needs. Educators will communicate with parents/guardians to develop consistency with their child’s toileting habits. Educators will be aware of and consider any special requirements related to culture, religion or privacy needs.
Decisions about when to begin toilet training will be made by families, or may occur through shared decision making between families and early childhood professionals. This decision is based on mutual respect and open communication, which is crucial for a good outcome.
Families may have strong views and preferences about when and how their child learns to use the toilet, which may come from their cultural background or individual preferences which must be respected by Educators and staff.
The priority of the individual child’s wellbeing is paramount, and the decision to begin assisting the child to learn to use the toilet should be based on signs of readiness from the child and discussion with families.
Early signs of readiness, will often start to appear when children are around 18-24 months old and may include:
It is important to keep the process subdued and not place unnecessary attention and pressure on the child so they can prosper. Acknowledging children’s successes, no matter how infrequent or small, is vital for their self-esteem and confidence. Families and Educators can expect accidents, which should be treated respectfully and in a supportive manner.
Educators and families will collaborate and communicate how the toilet learning is going, both in care and at home. This will support children to become more familiar and comfortable with the toilet training process. This can be done in person or via the Playground/ Home Xplor app as families can communicate through the moments section and the educators through the observation section.
Children should be given the opportunity to complete the toileting procedure, such as toileting, washing hands, flushing the toilet, keeping the bathroom environment clean independently, while at the same time keeping in mind the importance of hygiene and providing assistance when needed.
During this milestone, children should be empowered and encouraged to be successful. Toilet training varies for individual children. As Educators we can take advantage of the child being in a group and the many opportunities that provides for learning from each other. Educators and families need to remember that comparing children is inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour.
Bush Kinder Toileting
Educators will discuss with children at the beginning of each bush kinder session the toileting procedures for the session.
The children are encouraged and supported to use the toilet bucket throughout their bush kinder session. The children are supervised by an educator, who also supports the children in their toileting requirements. The educator will take the child to the toilet bucket, with toilet paper, and assist them where needed. After the child has finished, the educator will sanitise the child’s hands and their own hands.
The Bush Kinder toilet is taken back to the centre at the end of each bush kinder session and is cleaned and sanitised in accordance with our Cleaning and Laundering Policy guidelines.
Nappy Rash and creams
The service provides Sudocream as an option for nappy rash relief. Parents or caregivers have the option of providing the service with an alternate nappy rash cream to be used for their child, with a pharmacy label with the child’s name, date of birth and application method stated. The parent or caregiver will then need to fill out a Non-Prescribed Medication/ Cream Form.
If a child presents with nappy rash throughout the day, the educator will seek input from another educator to decide on whether nappy rash cream is needed. The educator will then notify the director of the rash. The educator will fill in an Illness Digital Observation Form for the family to sign on Xplor Playground
.
If at any point the educators feel the family need to be contacted about the nappy rash, we will do so. Any nappy rash or unusual changes will also be noted and detailed on the daily nappy change chart and a second educator will witness this to ensure consistency.
Policy Review
Centre Related Policies and Source Acknowledgements
REVIEW
Policy Reviewed | Modifications | Next Review Date |
September 2019 | Information added in regard to non prescribed creams and medication form to be filled out | September 2020 |
January 2020 | Information regarding updated detailed nappy change chart with information regarding rash and unusual change identification and second educator witness signing. | January 2021 |
July 2020 | Updates regarding Xplor Playground digital documentation of nappy changes, toileting and any illness observations due to nappy change/ rashes | July 2020 |
February 2021 | Bush Kinder Toileting Procedure added to the policy document in line with daily bush kinder excursions and accessible toileting for children. | February 2022 |
February 2022 | Info added regarding removing the seal sticker inside the wipes to ensure no cross contamination if an educator need to reach for further wipes during a nappy change. | February 2023 |
May 2023 | No changes required | May 2024 |
June 2024 | No changes required | June 2025 |