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Child Care

Diapering & Toileting

Childcare staff must apply infection prevention and control measures when diapering and toileting because there is a risk of exposure to body fluids during these tasks. Body fluids can carry infectious diseases.

The diaper change station must be set up to prevent the spread of illness. The space must be separate from the children's activity area and any food areas (feeding, preparation, and/or storage) and not used for any other purpose but diapering. Ensure diapering areas are kept clean. Children should be diapered on a dedicated surface and not "on the run" as it increases the risk of contaminating other surfaces. Ensure all necessary supplies are accessible but out of children's reach. Necessary supplies include:

  • A designated hand washing station
    • Use only for hand washing - equipped with running water under pressure, liquid soap and paper towels in a dispenser
    • Within close proximity to the diaper change station
  • Single-use disposable gloves
    • Should be used during outbreaks or when changing a child with diarrhea or a very messy diaper. Otherwise, effective hand washing is sufficient.
  • Appropriate cleaner and disinfectant
    • Labelled and stored away from children's reach; clean then disinfect the table after each use. If using a liner, change the liner after each diaper change.
  • Foot-activated garbage container equipped with a tight-fitting lid and a disposable leak-proof liner
    • This garbage container must be emptied, cleaned and disinfected as needed
  • Diapering surfaces and diapering changing pads
    • Constructed of smooth, non-porous, non-absorbent material that is easy to clean and disinfect
    • Free of cracks, tears or rips
    • Used for diapering only

It is important to follow proper infection control procedures when diapering to prevent cross contamination of surfaces and potentially prevent spread of illness. Please refer to our Diapering Procedure Poster for the steps to sanitary diapering.
Cloth diapering is to be completed the same as disposable diapers with the exception that cloth diapers are to be placed in a sealable, leakproof bag and sent home with the child at the end of the day.

Centre staff are not to clean the diaper or empty its contents.

The above also applies to any clothing that becomes soiled with feces/vomit, or any other bodily fluid. Soiled clothing is to be placed in a sealable, leakproof bag and sent home for laundering.

Toileting should take place in the washroom only.

The washroom must have a hand washing sink and children and staff must perform hand hygiene after using the toilet.

The handwashing sink must have running water under pressure, liquid soap and paper towels in a dispenser.

Child sized toilets or adult toilets modified for children are easier to clean properly than potty chairs.

Potty chairs must be cleaned and disinfected after each use. Handwash sinks, or sinks present in programming or food handling areas are not to be used to dispose of body fluids. A separate sink, such as a utility sink, can be used to clean and disinfect potties. Disposable liners for potty chairs may be considered to prevent splashes or handling body fluids during disposal. If liners are used, potties must still be cleaned and disinfected after each use. SMDHU recommends the use of a plumbed toilet to minimize contact with body fluids and reduce the risk of surface contamination during disposal.

Toileting areas must be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day, or more often if necessary.
It is important to follow proper infection control procedure when toileting to prevent cross contamination of surfaces and potentially prevent spread of illness. Please refer to the Toileting Procedure Poster for the steps to sanitary toileting.
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