Toilet training is a self care skill that children have the opportunity to learn with my full support and non judgemental concern. I work closely with parents to ensure that each child is comfortable and kept clean and dry during their time with me. I aim to provide the opportunity for all children to use the toilet independently and to provide assistance for those who need it. I will work with parents towards toilet training, unless there are medical or other developmental reasons why this may not be appropriate.
Intimate care routines also include helping children to dress and undress themselves, change clothes according to the weather (e.g. putting swimming costumes on), washing intimate parts of the body, feeding and cleaning children after feeding, administering oral medication, hair care, helping children who have vomited etc.
All children have the right to be safe and to be treated with dignity and respect. I will accommodate their needs and work with parents/carers to encourage them to eventually be able to use the toilet independently wherever possible. Details of nappy changes, potty and toilet trips will be shared with parents either through the daily diaries or during short discussions at pick up time.
Procedure for toileting
1. Show the child where the toilet, step and paper is.
2. Allow the child free use of the toilet throughout their time with me.
3. Encourage the child to use the toilet before we go out, before snack and meal times.
4. Encourage health and safety asking the child to close the toilet lid, flush and then wash and dry their hands using soap, warm water and the disposable towels available.
5. Listen to children who use the toilet on their own making sure they don’t require any help.
6. Ask children if they are OK when they have finished using the toilet.
7. Provide assistance for those requiring it in a private and discreet manner.
8. Talk about the use of the toilet openly with all of the children.
9. Should an accident occur I will assist the child as necessary in a non judgemental way, changing their clothes using fresh items provided by their parents/carer.
10. Soiled items of clothing will be double bagged and sent home with the parent/carer.
Procedure for using the potty
1. Show the children where the potty is kept, next to the French doors leading to the garden.
2. Allow the children free use of the potty throughout their time with me.
3. Ask the children to tell me when they are going to use the potty so that I can be on hand to wipe bums and assist with pulling down and up of trousers etc.
4. Talk to the children about what they have done in the potty, look at it and praise them.
5. I wear disposable gloves and use toilet paper and sensitive wipes to clean the children.
6. Making sure the child is happy and fully clothed encourage them to wash their hands using soap and warm water and dry on disposable towels available.
7. Remove the potty and flush the content down the toilet.
8. Wipe the toilet down with a disinfectant toilet wipe.
9. Wash the potty with disinfectant cleaner and dry with kitchen towel.
10. Replace the potty to it’s usual place.
11. Double bag any baby wipes, my gloves and the disinfectant toilet wipe and dispose of in my outside black dustbin.
Procedure for nappy changes
1. Ask parents/carer to provide nappies/pull ups suitable for their own child.
2. I will provide sensitive wipes, nappy sacks and nappy cream I will use cotton wool and parent/carers own nappy cream if preferred and provided by parents.
3. I change nappies approximately every 2 hours whilst the children are in my care unless I can see, hear or smell that they have soiled a nappy, in which case I will change it as soon as possible.
4. I talk to the baby/child and explain what I am doing throughout.
5. The changing mat is on the floor inside the playroom, next to the box of nappies.
6. I always wear disposable gloves when changing nappies using a new pair for each child.
7. Lower garments are delicately removed, the soiled nappy is undone and used to wipe any excess faeces away from the front to the back. The nappy is placed in a nappy sack.
8. Sensitive wipes are used to clean the area. Each dirty wipe is placed into the nappy sack with the soiled nappy.
9. If required nappy cream is applied by dabbing the affected area. Parents have signed permission for me to use nappy rash cream.
10. A clean nappy is put on making sure it is the correct size and fit for the baby/child.
11. The lower garments are put back on and the baby/child is encouraged to wash their hands using warm water and soap.
12. The changing mat is cleaned with a disinfectant cleaner and dried using kitchen towel.
13. The gloves are removed and put with the soiled nappy and dirty wipes, are sealed and double bagged and disposed of in my outside black dustbin.
Other intimate care
Policy Written by: Ilana Hill Date: 22 July 2012
Updated and reviewed: Annually or as required