1) Toilet training
2) Intimate and personal care
1)TOILET TRAINING
In line with Child Protection Guidelines, health and safety and best practice, Play Together Creche will adopt the following procedures in relation to toileting.
It is the policy of Play TogetherCreche to assist our children and facilitate our parents with toilet training.
It is the policy of Play TogetherCreche to assist our children and facilitate our parents with toilet training. There is no magic age at which a child is ready to start but most children will develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills around 2 years onwards. At Play TogetherCreche we respect each child’s development and assess their readiness before introducing them to toilet training.
• Those in training are required to wear ‘pull-ups’ and easy accessible clothing.
• At Play TogetherCreche we feel it is vital that parents and staff discuss what methods they use to introduce their child to potty/toilet training. It is very important for parents and staff to remain consistent in their approach so that the child is clear and has a good understanding of what is involved.
• Our staff will be happy to advise parents and offer practical advice.
• We feel that taking a ‘slow approach’ to toilet training has better chance of success. Rushing a child when they are not ready or willing will only be counterproductive.
• Potty/Toilet training will always be done in a relaxed environment. The children will never feel stressed or anxious to perform and it will always be presented as a fun exercise.
• Where children are being potty/toilet trained parents are advised to inform the teachers what procedures and methods are being used.
• We recommend that parents provide several full sets of clothes (labelled) in case of accidents.
At all times it is important to respect the rights and needs of the children in our care. When a child needs to use the toilet allow him/ her the privacy to do so. If the child asks you to accompany them to the toilet, do so.
• Go to the bathroom door ask the child if she wants the toilet door left open or closed.
• Reassure the child that you will wait outside the door where they can call if they need you.
• If the child asks you to help undo buttons or zippers where possible have another staff member in the same vicinity for both the child’s and staff members protection.
• No two children will be permitted to enter a toilet cubicle together. This is to ensure their privacy as well as their safety.
• Young children need encouragement and help with self-care, wiping bottoms, flushing toilet, washing hands etc.
• Staff must use the disposable gloves and aprons provided, if cleaning up any spillages.
• Staff should be sensitive to accidents.
• Staff should maintain a pleasant atmosphere.
• The child’s privacy should be maintained.
A full set of labelled clothing should be provided by parents so that if a child has an ‘accident’ of this nature they will in the first instance be offered fresh clothing into which they can change.
Parents assisting own child in the toilet:
· Adults use designated toilets for adults and children use designated toilets for children.
· Parents NOT to accompany their children into children’s bathrooms.
· If parent need go to the toilet, they use staff toilet after manager permission.
· If parent need to assist own child in the toilet at the collecting/arrival time, they have to go to the staff toilet after manager permission.
2) INTIMATE and PERSONAL CARE
Play Together Creche believes that the intimate care of children cannot be separated from other aspects of their learning and development. We do not discriminate against children who have not reached a stage where they can manage their own personal hygiene and as such welcome all children to participate in the service and provide appropriate support for each on an individual basis.
‘Intimate Care’ can be defined as care tasks of an intimate nature, associated with bodily functions, bodily products and personal hygiene, which demand direct or indirect contact with, or exposure of, the sexual parts of the body.
‘Personal Care’ generally carries more positive perceptions than intimate care. Although it may often involve touching another person, the nature of this touching is more socially acceptable, as it is less intimate and usually has the function of helping with personal presentation and hence is regarded as social functioning.
These tasks do not invade conventional personal, private or social space to the same extent as intimate care and are certainly more valued as they can lead to positive social outcomes for people.
Children may require help with eating, drinking, washing, dressing and toileting. Procedure
• Staff will work with parents and children to establish a preferred procedure for supporting the children in our care with their personal and intimate care.
• Where possible the child’s key person is responsible for undertaking the care of an individual child. When this is not possible a staff member who is known to the child will take on that responsibility.
• Children are always asked by the member of staff caring for them, for permission to assist them, and children who want to perform their own care are encouraged to do so with adult support when appropriate.
• Children will be cared for with dignity and respect for their privacy.
• Wash Hands.
• Warm the bottle by standing it in a jug of warm water or use a bottle warmer.
Do not use a microwave to warm as this can cause ‘hot spots’ and burn a baby’s mouth.
• Cool a bottle by standing it in a jug of cold water.
• Change the baby’s nappy if necessary - following correct procedure.
• Collect together everything you may need, tissues, bib etc.
• Check the flow and temperature of the milk by testing it on your wrist.
• Angle the bottle so the milk fills the teat, never leave the baby with the bottle in the cot.
• Throw away unfinished milk.
3)NAPPY CHANGING
In line with Child Protection Guidelines, health and safety and best practice Play Together Creche will adopt the following procedure in relation to nappy changing.
Play Together Creche aims to ensure that nappies are changed in a caring and hygienic manner in a way agreed with the parents.
Policy and Procedure
In the interests of health and safety and best practice staff should ensure that when this procedure is taking place there are always two adults or at least another adult in the creche building.
Separate nappy changing facilities are provided.
Changing nappy area is equipped with plastic gloves/aprons for the staff and they must use a fresh pair of gloves for every nappy change.
Each child has a labelled plastic pocket which holds their own nappies, wipes/cotton wool and barrier creams such as Vaseline or Sudocream.
There is no cross use of any of the creams, in the event that a spare nappy is borrowed it is documented on the nappy changing record and a replacement is given as soon as it is available. In the event that any supplies run out, parents are notified immediately or ideally in advance to say that supplies are running low. Parents are asked to replace or replenish these supplies as quickly as possible.
A record of all nappy changes is kept on a daily basis for each child on the nappy changing record sheet.
Nappies will be checked every 2 hours or more often as necessary. A child should never be left in an uncomfortable situation and nappies should be changed as regularly as a child’s comfort and hygiene demands. Children will be told they are being taken to the nappy changing area.
Staff should follow the nappy changing rota and ensure that adequate staff ratios are adhered to.
Staff will be sensitive to the child’s needs and will treat the child with respect and dignity at all times
Staff should interact (sing and chat) and reassure the child appropriately during the nappy change.
All staff are aware of manual handling procedures when lifting children. These procedures are on display in the nappy changing area.
All staff will be trained in hygienic nappy changing procedures.
Staff undertaking nappy changes must not be involved in food preparation.
Changing mats will be checked weekly for tears and replaced as necessary.
The changing mat area will be cleaned before and after each nappy change with anti bacterial cleaner and dried with a paper towel.
The nappy changing room is cleaned and checked at regular intervals throughout the day and this is documented on the cleaning chart.
Nappy bins will be emptied at regular intervals. Bins will always be emptied at the end of every day.
Staff will report to the Manager immediately after the nappy change if the child is unduly upset or if they have any concerns or notice any marks, rashes bruising etc.
Children will never be left unattended. If required another staff member is always available to provide assistance.
Procedure
• Wash hands with antibacterial soap and dry with a paper towel.
• Always have materials needed beforehand-Collect child’s bag and spare clothes or get all items out and ready from their cubby hole.
• Only use creams and wipes when supplied by parents.
• Use gloves on both hands and aprons provided. Use a new set of gloves for each child.
• Keep a conversation or sing to the child.
• Bag nappy and place in disposable unit /bin.
• Wash the child’s hands.
• Disinfect mat after every use.
• Wash your hands when finished.
• Never leave a child unattended.
• Complete nappy changing record.
Changes and abnormalities to be reported to parents and recorded
• Any change in colour, frequency or consistency of stools.
• Green stools (may indicate under or over feeding, or infection.
• Blood.
• Watery stools and unpleasant smell.
• Passing urine less frequently.
• Urine which is dark in colour (may be due to dehydration).
• Baby has difficulty in opening the bowels or produces stools which are small and hard.
• Baby cries when opening the bowels.
• Nappy rash.