Nappy Changing

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 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 provide nappy changing facilities and exercise good hygiene practices 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

• Babies and young children are changed within sight of other staff whilst maintaining their dignity and privacy at all times.
• Our changing area is warm, with a safe area to lay children and no bright lights shining down in their eyes. There are pictures and other objects of interest to take the child’s attention.
• Our staff put on gloves and aprons before changing starts and the areas are prepared. Aprons are wiped after use.
• All our staff are familiar with our hygiene procedures and carry these out when changing nappies.
• Our staff never turn their back on a child or leave them unattended whilst they are on the changing unit.
• We are gentle when changing; we avoid pulling faces and making negative comments about ‘nappy contents’.
• We do not make inappropriate comments about children’s genitals when changing their nappies.
• In addition, we ensure that nappy changing is relaxed and a time to promote independence in young children.
• We encourage children to take an interest in using the toilet; they may just want to sit on it and talk to a friend who is also using the toilet.
• We encourage children to wash their hands, and have soap and towels to hand.
• Older children access the toilet when they have the need to and are encouraged to be independent.
• We dispose of nappies and pull ups hygienically. They are bagged and put in the separate bin. Cloth nappies, trainer pants and ordinary pants that have been wet or soiled are bagged for parents to take home.
• We have a ‘duty of care’ towards children’s personal needs. If children are left in wet or soiled nappies/pull ups in the setting this may constitute neglect and will be a disciplinary matter.