5.4.1.1: General Requirements for Toilet and Handwashing Areas

Clean toilet and handwashing facilities should be located in the best place to meet the developmental needs of children.

For infant areas, toilets and handwashing facilities are for adult rather than child use. They should be located within the infant area to reduce staff absence.

For toddler areas, toilet and handwashing facilities should be located in or adjacent to the toddler rooms.

For preschool and school-age children, toilet and handwashing facilities should be located near the entrance to the group room and near the entrance to the playground. If both entrances are close to each other, then only one set of toilet and handwashing facilities is needed.

RATIONALE

Young children have poor bowel and bladder control and cannot wait long when they have to use the toilet (1). Young children must be able to get to toilet facilities quickly. Staff must have easy access to hand washing facilities to wash their hands at the times when it is appropriate and still maintain supervision of the children.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

3.2.2.3 Assisting Children with Hand Hygiene

REFERENCES

1. Olds, A. R. 2001. Child care design guide. New York: McGraw-Hill.