Nappy Changing Policy

Nappy Changing Policy

At Hafan Hael Bettws we aim to support children’s care and welfare on a daily basis in line with their individual needs.

All children need contact with familiar, consistent carers to ensure they can grow confidently and feel self-assured.

Wherever possible, each child’s key worker will change nappies according to the child’s individual needs and requirements.

Our procedures meet best practice identified by the Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Childcare Settings in Wales.

We will enable a two-way exchange between parents and key workers so that information is shared about nappy changing and toilet training in a way that suits the parents and meets the child’s needs.When developmentally appropriate, we work closely with parents/carers to sensitively support toilet training in a way that suits the individual needs of the child and ensures consistency between home and nursery.

We will use our designated facility for nappy changing which meets the following criteria:

• Facility is a purpose-built room with high changing table, wash basin and hand dryer. The room has been designed to protect the privacy of our children whilst allowing our staff to easily reach another member of staff if necessary. The room has a half height door.
• Changing mats have a sealed plastic covering and are frequently checked for cracks or tears. If cracks or tears are found, the mat is discarded. Disposable couch roll/blue roll placed on top of the changing mat for added protection.
• Clean nappies are stored in the supply cupboard that is in the nappy change room.
• Soiled nappies are placed in a ‘nappy sack’ or plastic bag before being placed in the bin. Bins are foot-pedal operated, and we have contracted the services of a waste management company for the regular emptying of these.
• We ask that where any non-prescribed creams are needed e.g. Sudocrem that these are supplied by the parent/carer and clearly labelled with the child’s name. Prior written permission is obtained from the parent. When applying creams for rashes, a gloved hand is used.

Staff changing nappies will:

• Use a new disposable apron and pair of gloves for each nappy change and always wash hands before and after using gloves.
• Clean disinfect and dry mats thoroughly after each nappy change; disposable towels/roll must be discarded after each nappy change.
• Ensure they have all the equipment they need before each nappy change.
• Keep nappy bags, gloves and aprons out of reach of babies and children
• Monitor stock levels of all hygiene equipment and report low stock levels in a timely manner to the manager

We wish to ensure the safety and welfare of the children whilst being changed and safeguard against any potential harm as well as ensuring the staff member involved is fully supported and able to perform their duties safely and confidently. We aim to support all parties through the following actions:

• Promoting consistent and caring relationships through the key worker system in the nursery and ensuring all parents understand how this works
• Using this one-to-one time as a key opportunity to talk to children and help them learn, e.g. through singing and saying rhymes during the change
• Ensuring that the nappy changing area is inviting and stimulating and change this area regularly to continue to meet children’s interests
• Ensuring all staff undertaking nappy changing have suitable enhanced DBS checks
• Training all staff in the appropriate methods for nappy changing
• Ensuring that no child is ever left unattended during the nappy changing time
• Making sure staff do not change nappies whilst pregnant until a risk assessment has been discussed and conducted and that students only change nappies with the support and close supervision of a qualified member of staff
• Conducting thorough inductions for all new staff to ensure they are fully aware of all nursery procedures relating to nappy changing
• Ensuring hygiene procedures are followed appropriately, e.g. hands washed before and after nappies are changed and changing mats cleaned before and after each use
• Following up procedures through supervision meetings and appraisals to identify any areas for development or further training
• Working closely with parents on all aspects of the child’s care and education as laid out in the parent and carers as partners policy. This is essential for any intimate care routines which may require specialist training or support. If a child requires specific support the nursery will arrange a meeting with the parent to discover all the relevant information relating to this to enable the staff to care for the child fully and meet their individual needs
• Ensuring all staff have an up-to-date understanding of child protection and how to protect children from harm. This includes identifying signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise these concerns as set out in the child protection policy
• Balancing the right for privacy for the children with the need for safeguarding children and adults by making sure intimate care routines do not take place behind closed doors.
• Cameras, tablets and mobile phones are not permitted within toilets and intimate care areas
• Operating a whistleblowing policy to help staff raise any concerns relating to their peers or managers; and helping staff develop confidence in raising concerns as they arise in order to safeguard the children in the nursery
• Conducting working practice observations of all aspects of nursery operations to ensure that procedures are working in practice and all children are supported fully by the staff. This includes all intimate care routines
• Conducting regular risk assessments of all aspects of nursery operations including intimate care and reviewing the safeguards in place. The nursery has assessed all the risks relating to intimate care routines and has placed appropriate safeguards in place to ensure the safety of all involved.

Use of Potties

Potties are stored for use in the toilet area. Staff are to give children privacy when using potties, by sitting them out of sight of passers-by and other children using the toilet area. After use staff need to dispose of the waste appropriately in a toilet, potties must be cleaned with anti-bac and put away immediately. Children need to wash their hands after using the potty.

Use of Nappy Changing and Child Toilet facilities during Arrival and Collections

During peak arrival and collection times, use of the child toilet and nappy changing facilities are to be avoided and group toilet visits will not be undertaken during those times. If children need to use the facilities this will be done on a 1:1 basis with a member of staff, who will ensure that the door is closed and in the case of the nappy changing facilities the hook locked from the inside. This is to ensure the privacy and dignity of children using the toilet or nappy changing facilities at all times.

If any parent or member of staff has concerns or questions about nappy changing procedures or individual routines please see the manager at the earliest opportunity.

This Policy was adopted on	Signed on Behalf of Pitter Patter Play Ltd	Date for review
01/05/2024		May 2025