15A NCAC 18A .2819      DIAPERING AND DIAPER CHANGING FACILITIES

(a)  In child care centers, children in diapers shall be changed at stations designated for diapering or toileting. Each diaper changing station shall include a handwash lavatory. For child care centers licensed for fewer than 13 children and located in a residence, and for diaper changing areas designated for school age children, a handwash lavatory shall be in or next to the diaper changing area.

(b)  Diapering surfaces shall be made of smooth, intact, nonabsorbent material and shall be kept clean and in good repair. Nothing shall be placed on the diapering surface except for those items required for diapering and the child whose diaper will be changed. If diapering is performed on the floor in a toilet room, then a smooth, intact, nonabsorbent barrier that is clean and in good repair shall be placed on the floor to minimize cross-contamination.

(c)  Diapering surfaces shall be disinfected using an approved disinfectant. Approved disinfectants and detergent solution shall be kept in separate and labeled bottles at each diaper changing station. Approved disinfectants that are chlorine disinfecting solutions shall be stored in hand pump spray bottles. No cloths or sponges shall be used on diapering surfaces.

(d)  Child care center employees shall change a child's diaper as follows:

(1)           gathering supplies before placing child on diapering surface;

(2)           donning disposable gloves (if needed);

(3)           using disposable towelette or moistened paper towel to clean child, wiping front to back;

(4)           disposing of gloves if used, soiled towelettes and diaper in a plastic-lined, covered receptacle;

(5)           wiping the child care center employee's hands and the child's hands each with a separate disposable towelette or moistened paper towel;

(6)           sliding a clean diaper under the child, applying diapering products if needed, using facial or toilet tissue, and discarding the tissue in a plastic-lined, covered receptacle;

(7)           fastening the diaper and placing clothing on child;

(8)           washing child's hands in accordance with Rule .2803 of this Section, or, if child is unable to support the child's head, cleaning the child's hands with a disposable towelette or moistened paper towel, then drying the child's hands and returning the child to a supervised area;

(9)           spraying entire diapering surface with detergent solution and wipe clean, using disposable paper towels;

(10)         spraying entire diapering surface with an approved disinfectant and allowing to remain on the surface for two minutes or as specified by the manufacturer, or air dry; and

(11)         washing hands in accordance with Rule .2803 of this Section even if disposable gloves are used by the child care center employee.

(e)  Vinyl or latex disposable gloves shall be used by child care center employees during the diaper changing process if the employee's hands have cuts, sores, or chapped skin.

(f)  Child care center employees may dispose of feces from diapers in the toilet, but shall not rinse soiled cloth diapers, training pants, or clothes. Soiled cloth diapers, training pants, or clothes shall be sent to a diaper service or placed in a sealed plastic bag or other sealed container, stored out of reach of children, and sent home with the child on the same day to be laundered.

(g)  Receptacles containing soiled disposable diapers shall be emptied in a garbage area located outside the child care center building daily.

(h)  Signs that instruct child care center employees on proper methods of diaper changing and handwashing as set forth in the rules of this Section shall be posted in each diaper changing area.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-91;

Eff. July 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. February 1, 1995;

Temporary Amendment Eff. April 15, 1998;

Amended Eff. July 1, 2006; January 1, 2006; April 1, 1999;

Readopted Eff. July 1, 2023.