Promote hand hygiene in your ECE program. Place visual cues such as handwashing posters, stickers, and other materials in highly visible areas like bathrooms, classroom sinks, and kitchens. Download and print materials, such as posters, fact sheets, and stickers.

Hooray for Handwashing educational materials from the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) for pre-school children includes digital copies of their storybook, coloring sheets, music tracks (mp3), sheet music, and more!

Sesame Workshop resources are fun, engaging, and perfectly suited for early learners: 

• Helpful Handwashing (Video)

• H Is for Handwashing (Storybook)

• Handwashing: Step by Step (Paper Craft/Printable)

See this microfiber fact sheet from Green Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting: A Toolkit for Early Care and Education, Second Edition, developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and Western States PEHSU.

See the online (most recently updated) version of Caring for Our Children, 4th edition for the national standards related to cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces in child care settings: 

- Details about how to select a sanitizer and disinfectant are in Appendix J

- The table that lists Routine Schedule for Cleaning, Sanitizing and Disinfecting is in Appendix K

This tri-fold Diapering Poster shows the procedure for safe and sanitary diapering. The same steps apply to changing soiled underwear with the child lying down, a position that makes it easier to avoid contamination of the environment and proper cleaning of the child's skin. CCA Global created the poster with guidance from the staff of ECELS. 

Note: Reproduce and distribute the poster freely to child care professionals. Be sure to retain the citation and copyright. The poster may not be sold without permission from CCA Global. The source of the steps in the poster is the 2019 online standards in Caring for Our Children, 4th Edition, a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Public Health Association, and the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education.

“Toileting independence” or “toilet learning” is a skill that a child learns over time. It is a skill that takes practice, like climbing steps, using scissors, pouring milk, and other developmental skills. It’s different from “toilet training.” The main difference is that toileting independence is child directed, and toilet training is adult directed. Toilet training can raise stress for adults and children, lead to power struggles, and harm relationships.

Download this PDF from Head Start for more information: Toileting Independence in Preschool-age Children