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TOPIC 8 QUALITY CARE ENVIRONMENT 
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8.4 TOILETING AND DIAPERING
Good health habits are vital for children. Appropriate supervision of toileting practices for basic needs have to be taught to the children. Toileting schedule should depend on individuals and be individualised. Soap and other cleansing products must be made available. Toilets, too, must be convenient and accessible to the children so that they can do their cleansing, such as washing hands after toileting. For example, having steps at the sink helps children to do their cleansing activities, and promotes self-help skills as well as good personal hygiene. Additionally, diapering should be managed in a way that encourages safety and good health practices. Proper disposal of diapers must be practised by educators and cleaners of the childcare centre.
Provisions in Toilet and Cleaning Areas for Children
Toilet facilities need to be designed and planned. Below are some factors that may be taken into consideration when preparing and planning provisions for toilet facilities for children:
(a) Provide hand washing facilities within vicinity of every toilet;
(b) These facilities must be adequately ventilated and lit;
(c) Toilets and cleaning areas must be easily accessible to the children;
(d) Provide changing when necessary for different gender; and
(e) Provide rules and regulations for toilet and cleansing area usage and ensure they are made known to every child to promote hygienic practices (Vandell, 2004).
Potty Training and Diapering
As for children who are undergoing potty training, the correct practices must be exercised. Children aged from 18 to 32 months may be potty trained. Pre-potty training depends on the childÊs biology, skills, and readiness. Between the ages of two-and-a-half and four years, most children are capable of independent toileting. Children need three to 12 months from the start of training to achieve daytime toilet independence. The readiness skills that a child possesses means the quicker the process will be.
Most toddlers urinate four to eight times each day. This usually happens about every two hours. Most toddlers have one or two bowel movements a day. In general, children have a regular pattern.
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