HS124 Children washed when soiled

When assessing whether you comply with HS124

Questions we are likely to ask

What steps do you take to wash a child if they have soiled themselves?

The tools below are here to support you, but you do not have to use them. You can use other tools or methods that work better for your service.

The National Public Health Service provide the following on its website.

Wash down guidelines [PDF, 480KB]

Wash down guidelines: Early childhood centre health assessments – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora

Children sometimes need to have all, or part of their bodies washed. Usually this is only needed if a child has had a toileting accident, has been sick or has become extremely dirty in some way. It keeps children comfortable, prevents the spread of germs, and supports their overall wellbeing.

Doing more than the minimum can shape better outcomes for children. Here are some ideas or examples you might like to consider.

Respecting the child’s privacy

When you're changing a nappy or washing a child, it's important to think about their need for privacy. You can do this by using calm, respectful language and making sure the child feels safe and comfortable. Every interaction is a chance to build trust and show care.

Protecting both children and staff

You play a key role in keeping everyone safe. Always keep child protection and staff protection policies in mind. These help guide your actions and ensure that care routines are safe, respectful, and professional.