A centre-based service caring for children in nappies must provide adequate and hygienic nappy change facilities: at least one properly constructed nappy change bench if any child is under 3, adult hand-cleansing facilities right beside it, and a design that prevents unsupervised access by children (r 112). Staff must follow adequate hygiene practices (r 77). The Staying Healthy procedure is: gather supplies and a hands-free lidded bin, clean hands, gloves on, fresh sheet; change; bin the gloves, dress the child, clean your and the child’s hands; then wash the bench with detergent and water, and disinfect only if body fluids touched it.
The regulations behind nappy change and toilet areas, the Staying Healthy 6th edition procedure in plain steps, and how to keep changes respectful and supervised.
| Requirement | Regulation |
|---|---|
| Adequate and appropriate hygienic nappy change facilities; at least 1 properly constructed nappy changing bench if any child is under 3; adult hand-cleansing facilities in the immediate vicinity; designed, located and maintained to prevent unsupervised access by children | r 112 (centre-based) |
| Adequate, developmentally and age-appropriate toilet, washing and drying facilities for children, located and designed for safe use and convenient access | r 109 |
| Laundry facilities or other adequate arrangements for soiled clothing, nappies and linen, including hygienic storage before disposal or laundering | r 106 |
| Nominated supervisors, staff and volunteers implement adequate health and hygiene practices | r 77 |
| Interactions respect each child’s dignity and rights | r 155 |
The physical requirements are covered with the rest of the building rules in premises requirements.
Getting ready
Changing
After every change
Source: NHMRC poster. Display it at the change area. Daily and weekly cleaning of the area belongs in the cleaning checklist.
Work with families on each child’s routine, record it in the enrolment or care plan, keep spare clothing, and bag soiled clothing for families under regulation 106 arrangements. Help children wash and dry their hands after every toilet visit; see NQS Standard 2.1.
In centre-based services with children in nappies: adequate and appropriate hygienic nappy change facilities, at least one properly constructed nappy changing bench if any child is under 3, adult hand-cleansing facilities in the immediate vicinity, and facilities designed and located to prevent unsupervised access by children.
Under Staying Healthy (6th edition): gather supplies, clean hands, put on gloves and lay a fresh sheet; remove the nappy, clean the child, bin the wipes, sheet and gloves; dress the child, move them away and clean both your hands; then clean the bench with detergent and water, disinfecting only if body fluids touched it.
Staying Healthy says to wash it with detergent and water, rinse and dry after every change, and to use disinfectant only if body fluids have touched the surface.
Staying Healthy's procedure uses disposable gloves for every change and utility gloves for cleaning the bench afterwards, with hand hygiene before and after.
WIDEN Law answers National Quality Framework questions with inline citations to the National Law, the Regulations and the NQS, so you can check the source provision yourself.
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