We teach the children who are developmentally able to wash their hands frequently and that good handwashing takes three things: warm water, soap, and rubbing your hands together for 20 seconds.
Required handwashing for children and adults:
on arrival
after diapering or using the toilet
after handling body fluids (blowing or wiping a nose, coughing on a hand, or touching any mucus, blood, or vomit)
before meals and snacks, before preparing or serving food, or after handling raw food that requires cooking
before and after playing in water shared by two or more people
after handling pets and other animals or materials such as sand, dirt, or surfaces that may be contaminated by contact with animals
when moving from one group to another (visiting) that involves contact with infants and toddlers/twos
Additional required handwashing for adults:
before and after feeding a child
after assisting a child with toileting
after handling garbage or cleaning
before and after administering medication
Proper handwashing procedures for adults and children:
use liquid soap and running water
rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds, including back of hands, wrists, between fingers, under and around any jewelry and under fingernails
rinse well
dry hands with a single-use paper towel
avoid touching the faucet with just-washed hands (use the paper towel to turn off water)
Other notes
Except when handling blood or body fluids that might contain blood (when wearing gloves is required), wearing gloves is an optional supplement, but not a substitute, for handwashing in any required handwashing situation listed above.
Do not use handwashing sinks for bathing children or removing smeared fecal material.
Sinks used for handwashing after diapering or toileting MUST be separate from sinks and areas used for food preparation and food service.
Using sanitizer instead of handwashing is not recommended for childcare settings. If sanitizer is used as a temporary measure, the amount used must keep the hands wet for 15 seconds.