NAPPY CHANGING

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Policy statement

No child is excluded from participating in our setting who may, for any reason, not yet be toilet trained and who may still be wearing nappies or the equivalent.  We work with parents towards toilet training, unless there are medical or other developmental reasons why this may not be appropriate at the time.

We make necessary adjustments to our bathroom provision and hygiene practice in order to accommodate children who are not yet toilet trained.

We see toilet training as a self-care skill that children have the opportunity to learn with the full support and non-judgemental concern of adults.

Procedures

    Little Rockets has a list of which children in their care are wearing nappies or the equivalent.
    Young children from two years should wear ‘pull-ups’ or other types of trainer pants as soon as they are comfortable with this and their parents agree.
    The changing area we use offers privacy, is warm and has safe areas to lay young children on a change mat for hygienic changing.
    Each young child has their own bag to hand with their nappies or ‘pull-ups’ and changing wipes, provided by their parents.
    Gloves and aprons are put on before changing commences, and the areas are prepared.  The changing mat is cleaned with antibacterial wipes before and after the mat is used.
    All staff are familiar with the hygiene procedures, and carry these out when changing nappies.
    In addition, key persons ensure that nappy changing is relaxed and at a time to promote independence in young children.
    Young children are encouraged to take an interest in using the toilet, they may just want to sit on it and talk to a friend who is using an adjacent toilet.
    The children are encouraged to wash their hands after having their nappy changed to prepare them for the routine, of using the toilet. 
    Key persons are gentle when changing, they avoid pulling faces and making negative comments about ‘nappy contents’.
    Older children access the toilet when they have the need to, and are encouraged to be independent.  Staff will remain within eye-shot or ear-shot of children toileting themselves independently.
    Nappies and ‘pull-ups’ are disposed of hygienically, by bagging them and putting them into a nappy bin.  Cloth nappies or ordinary pants that have been wet or soiled are rinsed and bagged for the parent to take home.

NB: If young children are left in wet or soiled nappies / ‘pull-ups’ in the setting then this may constitute neglect, and may be a disciplinary matter.  Little Rockets promotes a ‘duty of care’ towards children’s personal needs.