All staff, volunteers, and children should abide by the following procedures for hand washing, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)3:
a) Upon arrival for the day, after breaks, or when moving from one group to another.
b) Before and after:
- Preparing food or beverages;
- Eating, handling food, or feeding a child;
- Brushing or helping a child brush teeth;
- Giving medication or applying a medical ointment or cream in which a break in the skin (e.g., sores, cuts, or scrapes) may be encountered;
- Playing in water (including swimming) that is used by more than one person; and
- Diapering.
c) After:
- Using the toilet or helping a child use a toilet;
- Handling bodily fluid (mucus, blood, vomit);
- Handling animals or cleaning up animal waste;
- Playing in sand, on wooden play sets, and outdoors; and
- Cleaning or handling the garbage.
Situations or times that children and staff should perform hand hygiene should be posted in all food preparation, diapering, and toileting areas.
3 Family child care homes are exempt from posting procedures for hand washing but should follow all other aspects of this standard.
Last Updated: September 29, 2022