Hygiene

HS1 Premises and contents are safe and hygienic

Criteria

§ Premises, furniture, furnishings, fittings, equipment and materials are kept safe, hygienic and maintained in good condition.

Rationale/intent

The criterion aims to uphold the health and safety of children.

Guidance

Equipment should be safe and suitable for its purpose and the age of children using it.

Any furnishing or fittings not fit for purpose should be removed from play areas until remedial action can be taken. Items can then be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Hard surfaces should be kept clean, and equipment or toys should be kept hygienic. Toys and materials that children put in their mouths should be cleaned at the end of each day with hot soapy water or put in the washing machine/dishwasher depending on the toy.

Nappy changing areas should be cleaned and disinfected after every nappy change.

Disinfectants

Public Health recommends that only disinfectants/sanitisers containing the chemical “hypochlorite” are used in childcare settings (that is, bleach solutions). Hypochlorite has long been recognised as having outstanding disinfection properties, being effective against most common disease-causing organisms.

When choosing a disinfectant/sanitiser, it is important to be aware that not all disinfectants are effective against the broad spectrum of germs which can cause illness.

The micro-organisms least likely to be killed by bleach or any other disinfectant are giardia and cryptosporidium. These organisms produce microscopic cysts that can stick onto surfaces. The best way to deal with these organisms is to use a good detergent. This means that frequent cleaning with detergent is best for toys, tables and other non-toilet surfaces rather than bleach.

Some service operators find bleach unpleasant to work with and seek out alternative products. If you or your cleaning provider wish to use an alternative disinfectant, you must have scientific evidence (from the manufacturer) that it is effective for its intended purpose.

Before purchasing, request evidence from the manufacturer/supplier that the product is effective against:

• protozoa, such as giardia and cryptosporidium
• bacteria, such as salmonella and campylobacter
• viruses, such as rotavirus, norovirus/Norwalk-like viruses

Alternative disinfectants/products are to be used strictly in accordance with the manufacturer instructions.

Please make sure all staff understand the importance of cleaning before disinfecting, as dirt decreases the effectiveness of disinfectants. They must leave the disinfectant/sanitiser in contact with the surface for the manufacturer’s recommended contact time before rinsing or wiping dry.

This guidance was developed in consultation with Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, National Public Health Service, Greater Wellington Region.

HS2 Laundering

Criteria

§ Linen used by children or adults is hygienically laundered.

Documentation required

A procedure for the hygienic laundering (off-site or on-site) of linen used by the children or adults.

Rationale/intent

The criterion aims to ensure that inadequate laundering practices do not pose a health risk to children.

Guidance

Many items in ECE centres need prompt, regular washing. This should include bedding as well as towels, cloths, bibs and dress ups.

ECE centres need to ensure they have good supplies of linen to cover any potential shortages.

Refer to criterion PF31 Bedding for more information.

PF31 Bedding

Documentation guidance

Procedures should address:

• Items that should be laundered and how often.
• Who does the laundering.
• If the washing is taken home by parents, that it is done as a separate load to the household wash.
• Are different types of laundry washed separately to prevent cross infection, for example, kitchen and bathroom linen separated from bedding linen?

Regional public health units recommend that all washing is done in hot water with an adequate amount of laundry detergent.

For more information contact your local public health service office.

Things to consider

Items to be laundered include:

• bedding
• all kitchen laundry (dish cloths, tea towels, hand towels, oven mitts and so on)
• bibs
• dress-up clothes
• fabric play items
• towels
• furniture coverings
• cloths used for art and messy play
• cloth nappies if used.

If there is a washing machine on site, it is a good idea to have a door leading directly from the laundry to the outside area, so staff can access the washing line without walking through the centre.

If an indoor drying rack is used, adults need to ensure that it does not obstruct corridors, exit and entry points or impinge of children’s play areas.

If there is not a washing machine and drying facilities on site, you may want to consider:

• using a roster system of parents to pick up and return linen for laundering so that you can ensure a good supply of clean linen. If parents are to be used, ensure you have clear procedures, which ensure hygienic laundering.
• contracting a commercial laundry.

HS3 Nappy changing procedure

Criteria

§ A procedure for the changing (and disposal, if appropriate) of nappies is displayed near the nappy changing facilities and consistently implemented.

Documentation required

A procedure for the changing (and disposal, if appropriate) of nappies that aims to ensure:

• safe and hygienic practices; and
• that children are treated with dignity and respect.

Rationale/intent

Displaying the procedure ensures that every person using the facilities is made aware of the procedure to maintain general hygiene and children's safety and wellbeing.

Guidance

A nappy changing procedure communicates your service’s expectations about this important care routine to parents/whānau and anyone using the area.

You may wish to keep a record of nappy changes each day for parents’ information.

More information can be found in the resource Nga Kupu Oranga Healthy Messages.

Nga Kupu Oranga Healthy Messages – Ministry of Health

Refer to PF25 Nappy change facilities for more information.

PF25 Nappy change facilities

Documentation guidance

A nappy changing procedure could include:

• Who can change children’s nappies.
• How often children’s nappies are checked/changed.
• The hand washing practices to be used. If relevant, the practices to be used when wearing disposable gloves.
• How the nappy changing area is cleaned and disinfected, when/how often and by whom.
• How adults should interact with children when changing nappies.
• How children are kept safe from falls or other hazards.
• How ‘solid waste’ is disposed of.
• How are soiled nappies stored and disposed of or given to parents to take home for disposal?
• If relevant, how are potties stored, used and cleaned?

Things to consider

Centres should consider children with additional needs.

Older children in nappies need to be encouraged to be as independent as possible:

• in accessing any changing area/table
• dressing themselves
• drying themselves
• in decisions around when nappies are changed.

Consider what options to provide where there is a risk of injury to staff (such as lifting heavy or tall children).

Use the lens of Te Whāriki to review the nappy change procedure, for example:

• How children can be empowered in this routine/care moment.
• How independence can be fostered.
• How reciprocal and responsive relationships are fostered, for example talking to the child about what is happening.
• Whether nappy changing is an unhurried care moment versus a ‘routine'.