Barn Lodge Childcare
Ofsted and Pacey Registered

Intimate Care Policy

Intimate care is an important, necessary, and essential aspect of the care we provide throughout the day. This may include nappy-changing, supporting children with toileting, changing clothes, administering first aid, and providing cuddles and physical reassurance.

We are committed to providing a safe, respectful, and hygienic environment for all children, that ensures children are treated with dignity and maintains their privacy.
Procedure:
	•	Preparation
	•	Ensure that all necessary supplies are ready and available (nappies, wipes, gloves, changing mats etc)
	•	Wash hands thoroughly and wear appropriate PPE (disposable gloves. Aprons etc) 
	•	During nappy changes and toileting
	•	Explain the process to the child, ‘Lets change your nappy’ ‘lets get you clean’
	•	Make sure that the child is safe and secure
	•	Removed soiled nappy/underwear and gently clean the skin (with wipes or a damp cloth)
	•	If required and recorded in the child’s care plan, apply any necessary cream or ointment
	•	Put on a clean nappy or underwear and redress child, or support them to redress themselves if developmentally appropriate
	•	Enable a two-way exchange with parents so that information is shared about nappy changing and toilet training in a way that suits the parents and meets the child’s needs.  
	•	Parents will be engaged in potty training and supported to continue potty training with their child at home 
	•	Respect and dignity
	•	Always maintain the child’s privacy and dignity. During intimate care routines, this will include either ensuring the changing area is discreet or by appropriate body placement to shield the child, whilst balancing the needs to safeguard children and staff
	•	Provide reassuring cuddles when sought by a child who needs comfort. This is essential to support their emotional development.
	•	Use positive, comforting language throughout the process
	•	Respect the child’s personal preferences and cultural practices
	•	Ensure that all staff undertaking intimate care routines have suitable enhanced DBS checks 
	•	Record keeping
	•	Document the time of each nappy change, the condition of the nappy, and any observations of the child’s health 
	•	Training and supervision
	•	Provide regular training for staff on nappy-changing procedures and hygiene practices
	•	Ensure new staff members are supervised until they are competent in the procedures 
	•	Safety
	•	Ensuring that all staff have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding/child protection and how to protect children from harm. This will include identifying signs and symptoms of abuse and how to raise these concerns as set out in the safeguarding/child protection policy
	•	Operate a whistle-blowing policy to ensure everyone involved with the setting has the confidence and knowledge to raise any concerns that they may have, to ensure children are safeguarded
	•	Conduct regular risk assessments including for intimate care routines and review safeguards that we have in place

If parents/carers have any concerns or questions about intimate care procedures and routines, please talk to us as soon as possible.

Written July 2025