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Policy

Diapering will be implemented in a manner that prevents the spread of communicable disease and maintains the integrity of the diapered child’s skin. When a child enrolls and is not toilet trained, the Direct Service Team (DST) and family and/or ECSE Specialist will develop a plan to support the childs development ofindependent toileting in the school setting.

Procedure

  1. A designated area will be established specifically for diapering that is not located in or near any food handling areas and allows privacy for the child being diapered.
  2. Surfaces of mats will be kept clean, waterproof, and free of cracks, tears and crevices.
  3. The diaper changing surface must be sturdy, non-absorbent, and washable with no tears or repairs. A table or counter must be large enough to accommodate the length of a child, with protective edges or barriers that prevent a child from rolling or falling from the surface.
  4. Staff must change wet or soiled diapers promptly, checking children’s diapers at a minimum of every 2 hours, or more frequently to meet the individual child’s needs. Diapers must be changed when a child exhibits behavior that suggests a wet or soiled diaper.
  5. Children must never be left unattended on a changing surface.
  6. Liquid soap and single-use hand towels must be provided at each handwashing sink in a changing area.
  7. Each surface used for diaper changing must be kept free of all objects except for diapering items and not used for other purposes.
  8. A disinfecting solution (Alpha-HP) must be kept in each diaper changing area ready for immediate use, as recommended on the posted diapering instruction, and stored out of children’s reach. 
  9. All diapers and wipes that are provided by the parent must be labeled with each child’s name and any special instructions and stored off the diapering surface, out of reach of children.
  10. A container designated for disposing of soiled diapers and diapering supplies only. The diaper disposal container bust be: 
    1. Approved by the environmental health specialist; 
    2. Lined with a disposable plastic trash bag;
    3. Within arm’s reach of the diaper changing areas, and emptied, cleaned and disinfected daily or more often as needed.
  11. If a child is observed to develop a rash or broken skin in the diapered area, please contact the Health / Safety Consultant for assistance in remedying the problem.
  12. Only Head Start staff, Early Childhood CARES staff and/or the child’s parent will engage in the diapering of a Head Start child. When possible a second staff person or adult should be present or within visibility during the diapering process.
  13. Post step-by-step procedure handout in diapering areas.
    1. Stand Up & Lay Down Diapering Instructions 

This policy complies with Head Start Performance Standard 45 CFR Section 1304.22.
It was approved by Policy Council on October 17, 1997. August 2024
Revised June 13, 2001, July 2003. August 2009. April 2021. June 2024

© 1995-2024.Head Start of Lane County. All rights reserved.

REVIEWED: April 2021. May 2024