1.1 Explain The Importance Of Washing Hands In Schools

• Washing hands – All services should have policies and procedures implemented within their program to encourage good hygiene such as washing hands, educators should role model these practises and teach the children when it’s appropriate to wash their hands, such as after they have been to the toilet, before and after meal times, and if they are sick to prevent the spread of infection through droplets in the air. Also educators need to be washing their hands before and after administering medication and changing children’s nappies, wiping snotty noses, dealing with bodily fluids and also wearing gloves as a barrier to prevent infection spreading. (Canberra, 2012)

• Cleaning – All toys, surfaces and equipment in the service should be regularly cleaned and disinfected with warm soapy water, this helps prevent the spread of germs as depending on the age of the children they often go through stages of putting things in their mouths, and by cleaning floors and surfaces will help to keep dust and general dirt and grime to a minimum and also prevent the spread of infections.

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• Interactive charts and posters - One way that educators should be promoting good hygiene would be to put interactive charts and posters around the service that the children can use to remind them to wash their hands such as above sinks, and on the walls in the bathroom. Another way would be to make up a catchy song for the children to learn about washing their hands, educators should be regularly talking to the children about good hygiene and asking them questions so they can develop their own