Children’s bathrooms/changing areas

Last updated: July 30 2024

Last reviewed: July 30 2024

• Toddlers have low changing surfaces they can climb on to on the floor surface. Staff should not have to lift heavy toddlers on to waist high units.

• Changing mats are cleaned and disinfected in baby change areas.

• Disposable nappies/trainers are cleared of solid waste and placed in children’s bags to return home.

• Staff use single use gloves and aprons to change children and wash hands when leaving changing areas. Please note that gloves are not always required for a wet nappy if there is no risk of infection, however, gloves are always available for those staff who choose to wear them for a wet nappy. Gloves are always worn for a ‘soiled’ nappy.

• Staff never turn their backs on or leave a child unattended whilst on a changing mat.

• Changing areas or stands are provided for older (disabled) children, if required.

• Changing mats are disinfected after each change. 

• Anti-bacterial spray is not used where residue may have direct contact with skin.

• Anti-bacterial sprays used in nappy changing areas are not left within the reach of children.

• Natural or mechanical ventilation is used; chemical air fresheners are not used.

• All other surfaces are disinfected daily.

Children’s toilets and wash basins

• Children’s toilets are cleaned twice daily using disinfectant cleaning agent for the bowls (inside and out), seat and lid, and whenever visibly soiled.

• Toilet flush handles are disinfected daily.

• Toilets not in use are checked to ensure the U-bend does not dry out and are flushed every week. Taps not in use are run for several minutes every two to three days to prevent infections such as Legionella. 

• Cubicle doors and handles are washed weekly.

• Children’s hand basins are cleaned twice daily and whenever visibly soiled, inside, and out using disinfectant cleaning agent. Disposable cloths are used and then discarded safely.

• Mirrors and tiled splash backs are washed daily.

• Paper towels are provided. 

• Bins are provided for disposal of paper towels and are emptied daily.

• All bins are lined with plastic bags.

• Staff who clean toilets wear rubber gloves.

• Staff changing children wear gloves and aprons as appropriate.

• Wet or soiled clothing is sluiced, rinsed, and put in a plastic bag for parents to collect.

• Floors in children’s toilets are washed daily.

• Spills of body fluids are cleared and mopped using disinfectant.

• Mops are rinsed and wrung after use and stored upright, not stored head down in buckets.

• Mops used to clean toilets or body fluids from other areas are designated for that purpose only and kept separate from mops used for other areas. Colour coding helps keep them separate.

• Used water is discarded out the back gate.