Nappies and Toileting Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out how we change nappies, support potty training and help children learn independent toileting.

1. Nappy changing is a time for one-to-one engagement to build attachment. Practitioners will chat to each child and be responsive to them as they change them. Practitioners will “ask” a child permission to change their nappy through words and gestures saying “are you okay if I change your nappy now?” and ensuring the child knows they will be picked up.
2. Nappies are provided for children under one. We currently use biodegradable disposable bamboo nappies which contain limited plastic. We use Green Bottoms for nappy disposal who send the waste to recycling and Energy-from-Waste facilities.
3. We will support parents who wish to use reusable nappies. We will change reusable nappies that are brought in and bag them up for parents to take home and wash. Our babyroom staff have been trained in the use of reusable nappies and we support parents with a weekend pack that they can borrow to try out a range of washable nappies. We work with Bristol Cloth Nappy Library to improve our knowledge and support for parents.
4. Nappies must be provided by the parents for children over one.
5. We use DIY Baby Wipes designed by the charity GECCO to clean children’s bottoms made from kitchen roll and aloe vera. The full recipe for making this can be found here – https://gecco.org.uk/sustainable-childcare/diy-baby-wipes/. We do not use any essential oils.
6. We use Metanium and Sudocrem, if required, when changing nappies. Parents give permission on the Health and Permissions form (which is updated every 6 months) and inform us if their child is allergic to any creams or lotions. Other nappy rash creams may be brought in and consent given for use on a Medication Agreement. See Clause 31 of the Illness and Medication Policy.
7. As part of the induction process, all new staff are shown how to change nappies in accordance with our procedures. This training is refreshed when staff move rooms.

NAPPY CHANGING

8. When changing nappies or helping a child who has soiled themselves, staff must wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate for the situation. Gloves and washable aprons are provided.
9. Staff can choose to wear one glove or a pair of gloves which will be changed after each child. They can also choose to wear no gloves and wash or sterilise their hands between each child. The focus is to ensure that, while also being caring and conscious of our environmental impact, each nappy change is hygienic for both member of staff and child, and there is no cross contamination. Staff must wear gloves if they have any broken skin on their hands, to reduce any risk of cross contamination.
10. BCC nappy changing procedure is as follows:

• Sanitise hands (using soap and water or antibacterial gel);
• Put on washable apron before removing nappy. Staff can choose to wear none, one or two gloves; see para 9.
• Remove nappy and clean the child with DIY wet wipes; put all items in the nappy bin.
• Remove gloves, if being worn, and place in the nappy bin;
• Sanitise hands (using antibacterial gel) before handling the clean nappy.
• If cream is needed, use one glove;
• Remove glove if worn, put in the nappy bin, then put on new nappy and clothes;
• Sanitise hands then wipe down the nappy mat and apron using antibacterial spray and a piece of kitchen roll after each child. Place the kitchen roll in the nappy bin.
• Record the nappy change on Connect. Select either “wet” or “soiled” and put S for Sudocrem and M for Metanium if used.

11. If a member of staff wishes to wash their hands but cannot leave the room because there is not another member of staff with them, they must call for help.
12. At the end of the nappy changing session the mat, apron and table must be thoroughly wiped down, and staff must remove the last pair of gloves and wash their hands. Aprons will be washed daily.
13. Although all staff change the nappies of all children, wherever possible nappies will be changed by the child’s key person.
14. If necessary, agency staff will change nappies after being shown our procedures and when they know the children well enough. They have all been DBS checked. See DBS Policy.
15. Level 3 Childcare students will change nappies as part of their training but only with close supervision.
16. Nappies are changed whenever necessary and according to each child’s individual needs. There are set times during the day when all children are checked and changed as required. This will be after milk and fruit, after sleep and/or before tea and before they go home. Times and details are recorded on iConnect.

POTTY LEARNING AND POTTY TRAINING

17. We follow the ERIC Let’s Go Potty approach to potty training and all staff are trained in this.
18. We work with parents to support potty learning and potty training. When a child starts at nursery, the nursery manager will discuss Potty Learning with the parents at the parent induction meeting and provide information about this. This ethos is to support children with being aware of using a potty and toilet from an early stage, with a graduated process rather than an “event”.
19. When a child is two, at the planning and sequencing meeting, staff will discuss how potty learning is going with the parents and provide a Potty Training support document. Staff will continue to support children in this process and will discuss progress with parents at the progress check at two meeting.
20. Children are encouraged to use nursery potties or the child sized toilets. Children can only bring in their own potty in exceptional circumstances, following discussion between the parents and key person. This is due to space limitations. Parents will be encouraged to have potties available at home.
21. Children can access the potties and toilets at any time of the day but are encouraged into a routine by staff suggesting toileting at times such as before or after meals and after sleeps.
22. Children are encouraged to use the potty or toilet before they go home. Staff will watch for patterns of behaviour and support children in this.
23. Potties are washed and disinfected after each use. Separate potties are provided for role play to assist in the potty learning process.
24. Multiple changes of clothes, including socks, must be provided when a child is potty training.

TOILETING

25. Children are able to go to the toilet whenever they need to.
26. We encourage children to use the toilet and wash hands before and after snack and meal times.
27. We encourage children to ask staff to help wipe their bottoms. However, to help children become ready for school, we do encourage the older children to become independent when toileting. We help them to learn to look after themselves.
28. All children should have at least one change of clothes in nursery. Any spare nursery clothes that are used must be washed and promptly returned.