Thinking about upgrading your diaper-changing area?
Making changes to your diaper-changing area can benefit supervision and safety, but don’t forget sanitary procedures.
The Department of Health Services (DHS) Child Care Licensing requires classrooms with a diaper-changing area to include “a hand-washing sink next to the diaper changing surface,” meaning the diapering sink must be directly next to the changing table, or in close proximity, so a teacher can reach the sink immediately after changing the diaper in one movement, such as a turn or pivot. This reduces the risk of contamination of the classroom by minimizing the distance children and teachers travel with soiled hands, and aligns with the Environment Rating Scales measurement tools.
More information can be found in the Arizona Administrative Code and Arizona Revised Statutes for Child Care Facilities R9-5-503.2. Specific guidance for the family child care setting may be found in the Arizona Administrative Rules and Arizona Revised Statutes for Child Care Group Homes R9-3-507.
Contact your licensing surveyor with questions about how changes to your diaper-changing area meet DHS regulations.