Showering
Summary: The non-mandatory showering process outlines the preschool’s approach to maintaining children’s hygiene through wipe-downs and optional showering, in line with ECDA guidelines.
Purpose: The purpose is to ensure children's hygiene is maintained through daily routines, with an emphasis on safety, health, and independence, while respecting parents’ preferences.
Scope: This policy applies to all children in the preschool, with specific procedures for younger (18 months - 3 years) and older (4 - 6 years) children, as well as conditions when showering is deemed necessary.
Non-Mandatory Showering Process for Children:
ECDA Guidelines:
According to ECDA’s requirements, preschools are not mandated to shower or bathe children as part of the daily routine. Instead, preschools should provide necessary care to ensure children stay clean throughout the day (e.g., through wipe downs, changes of clothes, or needs-based showering for conditions like soiling or skin issues).
Policy Overview:
In alignment with these guidelines, we will implement a non-mandatory shower policy for daily hygiene routines. However, if parents feel it is necessary for their children to be showered, they can opt in for teachers to assist with showering.
Children’s Hygiene Priorities:
The hygiene of all children is our utmost priority to ensure their safety and health. As part of this, a mandatory wipe-down procedure will replace daily showering during our regular cleaning routines.
Wipe-Down Process - put in general
i//ndependent wipe down and assisted
For Younger Children (18 months - 3 years old):
Teachers will assist children with their wipe-downs.
Each child is required to bring a towel daily, which teachers will wet to wipe down the child's body, covering all areas.
After the wipe-down, teachers will assist with diaper changes and a change of clothes.
For Older Children (4 - 6 years old):
Children will be encouraged to wet the towel and wipe down their bodies independently, ensuring all parts of the body are cleaned, including private areas.
A teacher will always be present in the toilet to supervise the process and ensure that boys and girls use the toilet separately during the routine.
After the wipe-down, children will be encouraged to put on their new clothes independently.
This practice promotes self-awareness of personal hygiene, body parts, and fosters the development of self-help skills and independence.
When Showering is Necessary:
On days when children are very sweaty from outdoor activities, excursions, or water play sessions, they will be showered, including washing their hair.
Showering Procedure for Children Who Opt In
Summary: The showering procedure provides a safe and structured process for children who opt to shower, ensuring staff supervision, efficiency, and child independence. It includes staff roles, queue management, and the steps for showering, soaping, drying off, and returning to class.
Purpose:
To ensure a clear, efficient, and safe showering process.
To promote independence in children, starting at age four, while maintaining supervision.
To accommodate children with special needs (e.g., labeled soap for medical conditions).
Scope:
Applies to children opting to shower during school hours, requiring at least two staff members.
Covers the entire showering process, from queue management to returning to class.
Order:
Showering Order:
Female students are typically showered before male students.
Staffing:
A minimum of two teachers should be engaged in the showering procedure to ensure efficiency and safety.
Self-Showering:
Starting at age four, children are encouraged to shower independently whenever possible.
Procedure
Staff Allocation:
One teacher is responsible for classroom management and hair drying, while the other handles the showering.
A third teacher may assist as needed, particularly for larger groups.
Child Queue Management:
Based on bathroom capacity, a specific number of children will enter the bathroom.
Children should undress and place their clothes on the designated shelf, then wrap themselves in a towel and sit on the bench while waiting for their turn.
Showering:
When it is a child's turn, they will hang their towel on the designated hook and begin showering.
Soaping:
A pump-style soap dispenser is placed at a child-friendly height for easy access.
If a child has a medical condition that requires specialized soap, the soap must be clearly labeled with the child’s name.
Drying Off and Changing:
After showering, children will dry off using their towel and change into clean clothes.
Return to Class:
Once fully dressed, the child will return to the classroom, signaling the next child to proceed to the bathroom.
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