We’ve heard a lot these last few months about the importance of hand washing. The Centers for Disease Control tell us that washing our hands is the number one way to prevent the spread of flu and other infections. Having portable sinks available is one way we can all do our part to keep everyone healthy. Portable sinks are a welcome addition to any place where people gather. They are a real boon to productivity in food service and manufacturing establishments. They are an obvious asset in health care settings. They are a must at sports events, concerts and street fairs. It’s a sign of good event management when portable sinks have been set up outside the toilet area at any kind of outdoor event. Everyone knows that they should keep their hands clean. However, human nature being what it is, we don’t always do it. The easier it is to find the sink, the more people will wash their hands

Every preschool classroom needs to have equipment that is appropriate to preschool-aged kids. In addition, they should have enough variety of equipment to keep these active youngsters engaged. Preschool gear needs to be tailored to stimulate both large and small muscles, along with cognitive and social skills.

Safety is one of the biggest factors for preschool equipment. Of course there should be no sharp edges and the gear should be sturdy enough to withstand hours of play by active preschoolers. Teachers or daycare workers need to make sure to keep this gear clean, usually by washing all washable surfaces regularly with a solution of soap, water and even a small amount of bleach diluted in this solution to kill germs and mold.

Preschool equipment for large motor activities could include big blocks, playground equipment, balls, soft play and the like. Equipment for small motor development includes puzzles, crayons and paints, beads for stringing, and so on. Preschool equipment to build social skills includes pretend centers like kitchen sets or dress up supplies. Cognitive skills require equipment like books and a cozy book nook with comfy chairs, set apart from any noisy activity.

Having a well equipped area for preschool aged kids to play and learn goes a long way to helping to create a setting that inspires creativity and cooperation, as any teacher or daycare worker can easily attest. Keeping youngsters engaged with safe and interesting gear tailored to their specific needs and age group is the key.

Daycare teachers with a classroom full of young children have a lot of responsibilities. It’s a lot of work to keep young children happy and well cared for. It is even harder keeping their little hands and faces clean. They have accidents frequently and always seem to spill any liquid that is set in front of them. A portable sink in the classroom can help alleviate the stress of keeping the classroom as well as the little ones clean and tidy. Portable sinks also help young children learn the importance of practicing good hygiene. Portable sinks make hand washing so much easier because it is readily accessible and you don’t even have to leave the room. In a day care setting where one teacher has a group of children, it makes sense to have a sink their in the classroom to clean up small spills fast and efficiently. Children can wash their hands before and after each snack, meal and recess time. A portable sink can really cut down on the number of germs being passed around from child to child.

Families all over the United States are suffering their way through the cold and flu season. Employees and children attending day care centers are no exception. In fact, it seems that day care children are sicker than those who stay home with a parent or grandparent. However, by taking proper precautions such as proper and frequent hand washing, properly sanitizing toys and surfaces on a regular basis, using a portable sink to wash your hands and knowing when to stay home as an employee or when to keep your child home when sick; day cares and preschools can be cleaner, therefore more illness-free environments for everyone involved. Regular daily practices of sanitization and cleanliness throughout these preschools/day care centers will surely benefit everyone.

When working at a preschool/day care it is essential to wash your hands and the children’s hands frequently. You should wash upon arriving at work, after you use the restroom, before and after eating, after smoking a cigarette, after blowing your nose or after helping a child in the bathroom, change a diaper or wipe a child’s nose. Children should wash their hands upon arriving at the center, before and after eating, after using the bathroom, after blowing their nose and after being outside. Hand washing should increase when children or employees are sick. At many centers, hand washing and sanitizer use is required once an hour, regardless of activity. Having multiple portable sinks in the facility could insure that the policy is practiced. Toys and play areas, tables and other surfaces should be sanitized on a regular basis.

Depending on the age group, toys should be sanitized anywhere from daily to weekly; more frequently in the infant rooms, for example, where toys are always being put into mouths. Cooking surfaces, tables and other surfaces should be sanitized after each use. Play areas should be sanitized at least weekly; more if there have been sick children in the room. Changing tables should be sanitized after every diaper change. Cots and/or mats should be sanitized at least weekly.

It’s also important to make sure that everyone is on the same page as far as coming to work/sending a child to the center when sick. Policies should be apparent to employees and parents about what degree of sickness is acceptable at the center, and children and employees should be sent home if they are too sick to be there. Children should be fever free for 24 hours before being able to return to the center. If an antibiotic has been prescribed to a child or adult, they should be on the medicine for 24 hours before returning to the center. It’s simple to prevent excessive illness in day cares and preschools.

It’s essential to provide a healthy environment though frequent hand washing, which having portable sinks can help make easier, adequate sanitizing and keeping illness away from the center by keeping sick children and employees home. If everyone works together and remains on the same page about preventing illness, everyone; employees, children and parents alike, will reap the benefits.