Handwashing is the simplest and most effective way to prevent the spread of many types of infection and illness in all settings. To reduce the spread of germs, we follow strict hand-washing guidelines in all classrooms. Educators and children wash their hands before eating or handling food, after toileting or diapering, after wiping noses, and after cleaning. We teach the children to wash their hands frequently and that good hand washing has three components: warm water, soap, and rubbing your hands together for 30 seconds (we sing the alphabet song, which lasts about that long). Hands are dried with individual, disposable towels.