HEWI MAG / Knowledge

Four tips for more hygiene in kindergarten

Valuable tips for planners, architects and nursery managers 

You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs – this also applies to hygiene in kindergartens and daycare centers. A clinically sterile environment can never be achieved there. But that is not necessary at all. Nevertheless, the most important basic hygiene rules must be observed in daycare centers and kindergartens in order to prevent the spread of infections. In this article, you will learn what you need to bear in mind. 

Viruses and bacteria are part of everyday life in daycare centers and kindergartens. Teaching children basic hygiene rules is therefore part of the daily routine. However, not only children, but also employees must adhere to hygiene rules. Especially when they handle food. Whether it's washing hands before eating, hygienic food handling or health in general – all of these topics should have top priority in daycare centers and kindergartens. In many places, therefore, a hygiene plan in the daycare center is a good idea. Especially since the young visitors often have to deal with diseases, the spread of which must be prevented. The following tips – arranged according to the most important rooms in the daycare center – help to ensure hygiene in kindergarten. 

1. More hygiene in the cloakroom 

The entrance area is essential for hygiene in kindergarten. The cloakroom plays an important role in this. It represents the flagship of the educational institution. If possible, plan the placement of the children's outerwear so that there is no direct contact between the children's individual garments. Clothes hooks should preferably hang at a distance of at least 20 cm from each other. Even better would be a 40 cm gap or partitions between the hooks. For existing coat hooks that hang too close together, use only every other hook if possible. Each child should use his individual hook, which is best identified by appropriate labeling. A shelf for additional items of clothing (hats, scarves, outdoor shoes) is recommended. This is because the children's shoe change also takes place in the entrance or cloakroom area. 

2. Improved hygiene in cuddle and play corners

In the group area of many daycare centers and kindergartens, there are play and cuddle corners where those responsible for the daycare center, as well as planners and architects, should pay particular attention to hygiene measures. Hygiene is so important in this area because contact with materials and play equipment is particularly intense. For example, sofas, mattresses, seating and lying surfaces should be provided with suitable, removable and washable covers. Only in this way they can be cleaned regularly, which is beneficial for hygiene. If products cannot be washed or disinfected – for example, upholstery – it may even be necessary to dispose of them in individual cases. 

3. Daycare center hygiene in sleeping and resting rooms

In some daycare centers or kindergartens, a sleeping and resting room must be planned. Comforters, mattresses and pillows must be cleaned at least once a year and after a change of persons. Mattresses require a liquid-tight mattress cover. This can be quickly cleaned or disinfected when dirty. This is also a good place for storage space for children's clothes, which, in addition, are easy to clean.

4. Hygiene in the sanitary area of the daycare center 

Hygiene in daycare centers and kindergartens is particularly important in the sanitary area. For towels, for example, it is recommended to use disposable towels. Shared towels are to be avoided, especially in the staff restroom. If operators decide to use textile towels, they should be used for specific persons and stored free of contact. This is possible, for example, with the coat and towel rail from HEWI. The bar can be made colorful by the children with the appropriate pictograms. Towels should also be washed at least weekly at 60 degrees. In the nursery area, when using textile towels, it is important to replace them after each use. The little ones can not be expected to use only their own towels. 

Learning hand hygiene from childhood

Young children can learn very early with the help of routines in which situations they should wash their hands. Washing hands is mandatory before eating, after using the toilet, after coming home and after touching animals. Songs help to internalize the routines and, most importantly, to achieve sufficient length when washing hands (at least 20 to 30 seconds). Washing hands is a lot of fun with HEWI's system fittings: The handle element of the single-lever washbasin mixer can be designed in the 16 HEWI colors, including child-friendly colors such as aqua blue or apple green. In addition, practical tips on the subject of hand hygiene can be found, for example, on the page Hygiene for Kids an initiative of the Institute for Hygiene and Public Health at the University of Bonn. However, the challenge is often not in obtaining information or teaching hygiene tips. In many places, there is a lack of the necessary products. Another product that encourages children to wash their hands is the child-friendly washbasin from HEWI. The row washbasins with height gradation are particularly well suited for daycare centers, as they adapt to the anatomy of children. Children of different sizes wash their hands at the washbasin suitable for them. Dirt from finger or acrylic paints can be easily removed. More information about the washing space suitable for children can be found in our article. 

Hygienic sanitary equipment in daycare centers 

Sanitary rooms for children must above all be designed to be practical, easy to clean and safe. HEWI's products are therefore tailored to the needs of small users. With 477/801 HEWI has created a series that is perfectly adapted to the requirements of daycare centers and kindergartens with sanitary products suitable for children. The range includes accessibility products (folding support handles, shower seats, etc.) as well as dispenser products and waste bins. The products are made of high quality polyamide and feel pleasantly warm. The soap dispenser can be filled with commercially available liquid soap and easily dispensed by push button. However, it is essential that cleaning staff clean the dispensers before filling them. Individual elements of the series, such as the push button, can be equipped in 16 HEWI colors. Among them, for example, you can find a soothing steel blue or a warm ruby red. Also available are Paper towel dispensers. These are much more hygienic than electric blowers for drying hands, as you avoid disease-carrying aerosols in the ambient air. You can find more information in our article about this.

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