Changing Soiled or Wet Children Policy

We do not have baby or toddler changing spaces, facilities or equipment therefore children who attend DAC must be fully toilet trained. DAC has an obligation to meet the needs of children with delayed personal development in the same way as they would meet the individual needs of children with delayed language, or any other kind of delayed development. Children should not be excluded from normal after school activities solely because of incontinence or delayed toilet training once they have been permitted to join DAC. All Nursery and Reception children are escorted to and from the toilets. Staff remain visible to others and occasionally check on the child in the cubicle in case they need support.

This policy sets out DAC’s procedures for handling these situations with dignity and kindness to ensure the needs of individual children are met and health and safety standards are maintained.

What happens if a child is admitted to DAC who still requires assistance going to the toilet?

DAC acknowledges that this might be a developmental or medical problem and will work with parents to establish a mutually acceptable care and changing plan which is likely to cover the following points:

• Agreement with Keble School to ensure that the child is taken to the toilet at the latest possible time before being brought to the Club. Provision by parents of underwear and a change of clothing.
• Agreeing the procedures that will be followed when the child is changed at DAC including the use of any wipes, cleanser or the application of any cream if required.
• Agreeing to a ‘minimum change’ policy i.e. the Club would not undertake to change the child more frequently than if he were at home and if the child is frequently wetting himself, more than twice in one session, understanding they may not be permitted to attend DAC until he or she is able to use the toilet independently or at least tell a staff member in good time when he needs to be taken to the toilet. 

Staff Procedures

 If a child wets or soils themselves and/or the surrounding area, staff must do the following:

• Ensure no other children go near the affected area. 
• Use gloves and clean the area with tissues until dry (gloves and wipes available in activity shed) and then use antibacterial wipes or sanitizer and tissues to go over the area and any equipment.  
• Check the child’s bag for a change of clothes, then escort them to the toilet to be changed. If there are no spare clothes in their bag, go to the activity shed for spare clothes.
• Most children will be able to change themselves independently but some may require assistance so a member of staff must remain nearby to supervise.
• Disinfect the child’s shoes, including underneath the shoe and any equipment that may be have been soiled, using antibacterial wipes.
• Parents should informed.

 DAC has the right to refuse children who frequently wet or soil their clothes.