5.3.09
Handwashing Procedures
All staff, volunteers, and children must wash their hands using the following techniques:
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- Wet hands using warm, running water that drains
- Apply soap to hands, preferably liquid soap
- Scrub hands together for 10-20 seconds thinking “tops, bottoms & in between” (10 seconds is the minimum amount of time, 20 seconds is best practice).
Tip: Make it fun! Have the child sing “Happy Birthday” twice, or a similar handwashing song
- Rinse hands thoroughly under running water until free of soap
- Dry hands using clean, disposable paper towel
- Turn off the faucet with the paper towel and throw away paper towel
Hands must be washed:
- Upon arrival at center
- When transitioning from outdoors to indoors
- After diapering or toilet use
- After assisting a child with toilet use (staff)
- Before and after food preparation, handling, consumption, or other food-related activity
- Before and after treating and bandaging a wound
- Whenever hands are contaminated with blood or bodily fluids; refer to Universal Precautions
- Before and after administering medication
- After handling pets or other animals
- Before and after messy play and the use of water activity tables
Hand Sanitizers (Head Start Only)
Hand sanitizers (e.g. Purell) are NOT to be used in the classroom. Hand sanitizers may be used when soap & water is not available, for example on field trips. Use of hand sanitizers must be supervised by a Teacher at all times.
If an alcohol-based hand sanitizer must be used:
- Dispense a single pump of hand sanitizer into the child’s hands
- Rub hands together, distributing sanitizer to all hand and finger surfaces
- Allow hands to air dry
References
- Caring for our Children – Chapter 3: Health Promotion and Protection – Standard Handwashing Procedure
- Universal Precautions
- “Henry the Hand” handwashing cling (contact Food Service Coordinator for information)