Intimate Care Policy

Introduction

Ladybird Pre-School Nursery is committed to ensuring that all staff who are responsible for intimate care of children will undertake their duties in a professional manner at all times. We take seriously our responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in our care.

Intimate Care

Intimate care includes all of the following:

  • supporting a child with dressing/undressing;
  • providing comfort or support for a distressed child;
  • assisting a child requiring medical care, who is not able to carry this out unaided; and
  • cleaning a child who has soiled him/herself, has vomited or feels unwell.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • safeguard the rights and promote the best interests of the children;
  • ensure all children are treated with sensitivity and respect;
  • safeguard adults required to operate in sensitive situations;
  • raise awareness and provide a clear procedure for intimate care;
  • inform parents/carers in how intimate care is administered; and
  • ensure parents/carers are consulted in the intimate care of their children.

Nappy Changing

No child is excluded from participating in our Nursery who, for any reason, may not yet be toilet trained and who may still be wearing nappies or pull up trainer pants. We work in conjunction with parents/carers towards toilet training, unless there are medical or other developmental reasons why this may not be appropriate at the time. We view toilet training as a self-care skill. Children have the opportunity to learn this skill with the full support and non-judgemental support from the staff in the setting.

Facilities are provided to accommodate nappy and pull up trainer pants changing. Children are changed as required. When possible, children will be changed and intimate care carried out by their own Key Person. All staff are familiar with the hygiene procedures and carry these out when changing nappies or pull up trainer pants. All staff are offered the opportunity to be vaccinated against Hepatitis B and any cost of this vaccination is met by the Nursery.

Procedure:

  • Parents/carers should provide a named bag for their child which contains spare nappies, pull up trainer pants or underwear, wipes, nappy cream, spare clothes including; trousers/leggings, socks t-shirts, jumpers etc.
  • We will only apply nappy cream when a parent/carer has given permission on the child’s registration form.
  • The Key Person/member of staff will collect the child’s bag and prepare the changing area before the intimate care commences. They will wear disposable gloves and aprons.
  • During the intimate care procedure, the Key Person/member of staff will be gentle and will not pull faces or make negative comments about ‘nappy contents’. They will not comment about the children’s genitals.
  • Key Persons/staff will ensure that intimate care is a relaxed procedure and a time to promote independence in children.
  • If the child does not have spare clothing, nappies or pull up trainer pants then Nursery items will be used.
  • All dirty and/or wet clothing will be placed in a plastic bag and given to the parent/carer for washing and returning.
  • It would be appreciated if any of the Nursery’s own clothing, nappies or pull up pants have been used they are returned and/or replaced as soon as possible.
  • Nappies and ‘pull up’ trainer pants are disposed of hygienically, the nappy or pull up is bagged and put in the designated bin. Cloth nappies, trainer pants and ordinary pants that have been wet or soiled are bagged for the parent/carer to take home.
  • The person carrying out the procedure will record this in the care log book located in the changing area.

Toilet Training

  • Children are encouraged, and assisted when needed, to take an interest in using the toilet; they may just want to sit on it and talk to a friend who is also using the toilet.
  • Children are encouraged to wash their hands and have soap and paper towels to hand. They should be allowed time for some play as they explore the water and the soap.
  • Older children access the toilet when they have the need to and are encouraged to be independent.

Our Approach

  • We will always treat children with respect when intimate care is given.
  • No child shall be attended to in a way that causes distress, embarrassment or pain.
  • Staff who provide intimate care are trained to do so (including Safeguarding and Child Protection) and are fully aware of best practice.
  • There is careful communication with any child who requires intimate care in line with their preferred means of communication to discuss needs and preferences.
  • Children will be supported to achieve the highest level of independence possible, according to their individual abilities.
  • Careful consideration will be given to individual situations to determine how many adults should be present during intimate care procedures. Where possible one child will be cared for by one adult unless there is a sound reason for having more adults present.
  • The needs and wishes of children and parents/carers will be taken into account wherever possible, within the constraints of staffing and equal opportunities legislation.