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Policy

Bathrooms will be kept sanitized and visibly clean throughout the day and accommodations will be made for each child’s individual toileting and handwashing needs. Teaching staff will support children with toileting needs and encourage self-help and independence.

Procedure

  1. All bathrooms will have sinks with running warm water.
  2. Bathrooms with urinals will be free of odor absorbing devices(typically placed at the bottom of urinal) that are within reach of children because they are toxic.
  3. All surfaces in bathrooms must be easily cleaned and must be sanitized on an as needed and daily basis. (see Classroom Sanitation policy)
  4. Bathrooms will be supplied with paper towels, toilet paper and liquid soap.
  5. Accommodations will be made for any children with special needs.
  6. Adaptations will be utilized to assist with the toileting needs of  children with physical disabilities and when necessary an assistant will be designated to aid in this process. To prevent disease transmission portable potty chairs will not be used unless a child’s condition is such that other adaptations will not safely accommodate the child. In the event that other portable potties or other adaptations are used, they must immediately be sanitized by staff following use.
    1. Contents in porta-potties must be placed in toilet and flushed. Hepastat and disposable gloves will be used in sanitizing adaptive toileting devices.  After usage portable potties or other adaptations will be stored in the bathroom  out of reach of children.
  7. Teachers must have a system in place where children check in with teacher before and after going to the bathroom. If the bathroom is not located in the classroom, staff needs to accompany child to the bathroom or be within sight and sound.
  8. Toilet paper and holders, paper towels and soap dispensers will be available within easy reach of all users.
  9. When a child cannot reach the sink and/or soap dispenser without assistance, an adult non-slip stools will be provided to accommodate the child.
  10. Staff will monitor toileting areas to ensure that proper  hand washing and safety is maintained in bathrooms.
  11. In the event that a child has an accident and visible body fluids are present in the bathroom, staff must wear disposable gloves and wash hands after sanitizing  toilets, floors and sinks soiled with any body fluids. If a child needs assistance with cleaning themselves after an accident involving a bowel movement, baby wipes maybe used and discarded into a bag and labeled   Mops and mop buckets are to be clean and stored outside of the classroom or in a locked closet after use .
  12. See FieldTrip Safety for toileting on field trips.

This policy complies with Head Start  Performance Standard 45 CFR Section 1304.22.
Policy Council approved January 2013
Revised June 13, 2001. April 20, 2004. June 2009. January 2013
2012-21. Head Start of Lane County. All rights reserved

REVIEWED: April 2021