A guide to safe hygiene practices for children

It’s no secret that children are more susceptible to colds, gastro and other illnesses than adults. So, what can you do to help prevent the spread of illness and keep your child well? And what steps do we take to minimise the spread of illness at Learning Ladder?

Safe hygiene tips

There are some simple things you can do to promote good hygiene:

1. Regularly clean and disinfect all surfaces and objects your child encounters using hot water and detergent. This includes clothes, bedding, towels, doorknobs, countertops, toys and so on.
2. Encourage your child to wash their hands throughout the day – especially after using the bathroom or playing outside. You can set a good example by doing the same yourself!
3. Discourage your child from sharing their food with others, including family members, to help prevent the spread of germs and illness.
4. Help your child to cough or sneeze into a tissue, then dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue isn’t available, coughing or sneezing into their elbow is the next best thing.
5. Practice safe food handling by always washing your hands before preparing food, and make sure all utensils and surfaces are clean. Cook food thoroughly, especially meat and poultry. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw food separate from cooked food. And finally, don’t forget to wash your hands after handling food.
6. Keep your child at home if they’re unwell. This will prevent them from spreading their illness to others and give them time to recover.
7. If your child has a fever or is displaying other signs of illness, seek medical attention right away. Early treatment can help prevent serious complications down the road.

Making safe hygiene fun

Teaching your child about the importance of good hygiene habits can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be boring! Here are some tips to make learning about hygiene fun:

1. Make it a game: Turn handwashing into a competition. See who can do it the fastest or with the most bubbles.
2. Use songs: There are lots of great songs about washing hands that children will love. Singing along will make the experience more enjoyable and help them remember the steps they need to take.
3. Use technology: There are many apps and websites that make learning about good hygiene habits fun. Look for games, videos and other resources that will teach your child about good hygiene in a fun way.

Safe hygiene practices at Learning Ladder

We’re committed to doing everything we can to minimise the spread of diseases and infections in our early learning centres.

Our educators follow strict hygiene procedures to keep our centres looking clean and welcoming and to protect everyone from potential disease and illness. All our rooms and common spaces are professionally cleaned three to five times a week.

Educators also teach the children about the importance of personal hygiene, such as how to wash their hands effectively and why it’s important to do this throughout the day. We also ensure the children have access to handwashing facilities, soap and paper towels, or hand sanitiser.

Under health regulations, children with a diagnosed infectious illness cannot attend Learning Ladder.

For further information about our safe hygiene practices, please get in touch with us.