Health and Hygiene
Educators and staff adhere to and follow strict hygiene practices to ensure that cross-infection is kept minimal. Educators encourage children of all ages to carry out basic hygiene practices by:
- role modeling for the children, and using correct procedures
- initiating discussions with the children about good health and hygiene practices, ear care and dental care and the reasons for them
- providing up to date information for parents on hygiene and dental care so these practices are also consistent at home
- encouraging children to follow basic rules of hygiene
- supervising bathrooms at all times and talking children through procedures if necessary
Children are encouraged to wash their hands:
- when arriving at the Centre (parents can help with this)
- before and after eating and handling food
- after having their nappy changed. Their hands will become contaminated while they are on the change table
- after using the toilet
- after touching nose secretions or wiping their own nose
- after coming in from outside play
- after coughing or sneezing into their hands
- after coming in to contact with blood, urine, faeces or vomit
- after touching animals
- before going home – this prevents them taking germs home
When outdoors and a tap for hand washing is not available, antibacterial hand gel is used in place of hand washing. This is proven to be as effective as hand washing and is approved by relevant Food Safety Authorities.
Educators also follow these following hygiene procedures to ensure cross infection is minimal:
- hygiene and cleaning checklists are carried out daily to ensure hygiene standards are maintained
- ensuring nappy change benches are sprayed with cleaner between each child, and thoroughly cleaned with cleaner and sanitizer after lunch and at the end of each day
- tables are cleaned and sanitized each time before and after food is served
- toilets and basins are cleaned at least twice a day
- bathroom and room floors are swept and mopped at least twice a day
- toys are cleaned each day and immediately after being placed in the mouth
- bed sheets are washed at least weekly, either once a child has finished for the week, in between different children using the mattress, or when soiled.
Sources:
- ‘Staying Healthy in Child Care’ Issue No. 97/11
- ‘Staying Healthy’ 5th Edition 2012
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