Hand washing when you get to school

[Anonymous]

Our school has a (new) policy to wash hands before going to the classroom. Nobody is following it. It's obvious that hand washing prevents the spread of germs and I'm finding lots of general signs to print, and everyone knows that you wash before snack and after the bathroom, but I'm not finding any good facts on specifically how hand washing helps by doing it first-thing at preschool (or daycare)? Also, just curious. Anyone know of older grades in schools that do this?

(I found this old thread here but it's more about hand washing versus gel
http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/198254.page#1911066
I think both are cool. Just would like parents to do something)

[Anonymous]

Side question here. Why are the parents coming into your classroom?

[Anonymous]

I wonder if our kids are at the same school! The school began it last winter as a suggested practice but this year has made it mandatory. I think the idea is that kids start fresh without bringing in germs from home, especially from sick older or younger siblings.

Mine's an only and usually washes her hands after going potty before we leave the house so for us it's an annoying extra step in the morning during dropoff but I understand why the school does it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Side question here. Why are the parents coming into your classroom?

I'm the other PP. It's preschool so we all walk our kids in and sign them in to their classrooms.

[Anonymous]

Lame. I wouldn't do it. I want my kid to wash her hands on the way OUT of preschool.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the responses! I was thinking I'd have to bump this on Monday to get some more perspectives but we're also seeing our pediatrician so that will help.

Hand washing is just for the kids. It's preschool, so you have to walk them in and help potty and usually we all wash hands together then drop them at the door of the classroom. At the very least, just the kid hand washing would be great.

Yes, I've heard the "keep home germs at home" but was hoping to find facts or more helpful supporting evidence.

For the person who thinks it's lame, please elaborate! I would like to find out why people are resistant to ANY hand washing since it's a proven way to spread germs. What would convince you?

And yes, on the way out or getting home is a good time to wash hands too, so I would encourage that too.

Anyone else think the policy is useless?

[Anonymous]

If it were my classroom, OP, I'd have the sign-in right at the door so they would not actually come into the room. That means the teachers would be overseeing each child's hand washing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If it were my classroom, OP, I'd have the sign-in right at the door so they would not actually come into the room. That means the teachers would be overseeing each child's hand washing.

* they, meaning the parents (who don't want to wash their hands)

[Anonymous]

Do they not have sinks in the classroom? I think the hand washing is a good idea, but the specific process you're describing sounds like a hassle. In my child's class I could see this working best if we walked in, put stuff in cubby, and then the kids knew to go over to the classroom sink and wash hands (with reminders from teachers/parent).

[Anonymous]

Signs are fine and good but I need the teacher to tell me. That would be because there are twelve million signs about this that and the other in the classroom. Just tell the parent once or twice and they'll get it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they not have sinks in the classroom? I think the hand washing is a good idea, but the specific process you're describing sounds like a hassle. In my child's class I could see this working best if we walked in, put stuff in cubby, and then the kids knew to go over to the classroom sink and wash hands (with reminders from teachers/parent).

I work at a child care center and this is exactly what happens. Parents place items in cubby and child is assisted to the child sink to wash hands, with parents. Occasionally I will wash the child's hands for the parent if it's a slow morning (not a lot of kids at drop off), if the parent is obviously in a rush that morning, etc. typically though, the parent is encouraged to wash the child's hands. Some parents may forget, specially if mom usually always drop off and dad happened to drop off and not used to routine. Not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

I am pretty certain that this is a dc reg and not a choice.

[Anonymous]

A huge reason to wash hands upon entering is in case one child has eaten something (like peanut butter) that others may be allergic to. Hand washing is never a waste of time. We should all try to prevent spread of germs as much as possible.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am pretty certain that this is a dc reg and not a choice.

I was thinking this as well - this was the standard at our DC daycare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lame. I wouldn't do it. I want my kid to wash her hands on the way OUT of preschool.

You do it both times. If you are met doing its prett gross to drop your kid off with those germs