HEWI MAG / school and child day-care
Designing child day-care bathrooms: 6 tips for child-friendly hygiene and safety
Having a child-friendly and safe bathroom is essential for schools and child day-care centres. With six tips, this article sets out for planners and architects how a bathroom can be designed with the needs of children in mind while at the same time meeting the highest standards with regard to safety and health.
Suitable installation heights for washbasins and mirrors
One of the most important areas in the day-care bathroom is the washing area. Children have to be able to reach the washing area themselves. The recommendations of the VDI 6000 sheet 6 can be used as a guide for the correct installation height of washbasins and mirrors. In child day-care centres, a height of 55-65 cm is ideal for washbasins. Smaller children up to the age of three require even lower washbasins at a height of 50 cm. When designing a bathroom for a child day-care centre, you should ensure that the mirror is either brought the whole way down to the height of the washbasin or mounted at an angle so that smaller kids are also able to see in it.
Child-friendly fittings for independent operation
Of course, taps are essential in the washing area. The choice of taps is decisive for children being able to use the washing area independently. Different types of tap promote the development of children’s motor skills. Children can use single lever mixer fittings with one hand and this sort of tap allows water temperature and pressure to be adjusted. Allow for cold and hot water connections and ensure that the water temperature is safe for children. Note that the water temperature should never be higher than 43 degrees in order to avoid scalding.
MOUNT CHILD-FRIENDLY TOILETS AT A SUITABLE HEIGHT
The toilets should be matched to the size of the children in order to guarantee safety and comfort. Between the ages of 3 and 5, a height of approximately 25 bis 30 cm is ideal. Ensure that the toilets are mounted at a low enough height that the children can keep their feet on the ground. Additional support rails, hinged support rails or L-shaped support rails offer children with physical restrictions the support they require.
Designing day-care bathrooms: Robust materials for washbasins, etc.
It is essential that robust materials are used so as to avoid damage caused by children’s unpredictable behaviour. Choose products with non-porous surfaces that are easy to clean. This will guarantee that the bathroom will last a long time and repair costs will be minimised. The following are suitable, for example:
- stainless steel: Stainless steel is an extremely robust material that is resistant to knocks, scratches and dampness. It is ideal for sanitary products such as taps since it is not only hard-wearing but also easy to clean.
- Plastic: High-quality plastics such as polyamide provide outstanding resistance to wear and impact. They are also easy to maintain and are impervious to moisture, making them ideal for use in children’s washrooms.
- Composite materials: Modern composite materials offer a combination of longevity and aesthetics. They are often resistant to scratching, wear, making them an excellent choice for frequently used areas.
In selecting materials it is also important to keep certification and guidelines in mind that promote the use of child- and environmentally friendly materials. These materials not only provide a safe environment for children but also contribute to the sustainability and health-related aspects of the overall project. By combining robust materials with safety aspects, a bathroom is designed that meets the needs of the children and at the same time fulfils the highest safety and quality requirements.
Hygiene in child day-care centres Use easy-to-clean materials
Hygiene is a top priority in the bathroom, since children are more susceptible to illness. Here, too, materials that are easy to clean and disinfect prove advantageous. Hands-free taps as well as soap dispensers and paper towel holders reduced the risk of cross-contamination. Suitable here are materials such as:
- Glazed ceramic: Ceramic washbasins and toilets are easy to clean and have a smooth, non-porous surface that restricts the build-up of bacteria and mould.
- Stainless steel: Stainless steel is both robust and resistant against stains and bacteria. Its smooth surface is easy to wipe down and disinfect.
- High-quality plastics: Plastics such as polyamide are resilient as well as easy to clean. They repel moisture and dirt, making them an excellent choice for use in bathrooms.
You should also think about:
- Sufficient ventilation: Good ventilation in the bathroom is essential for keeping dampness and odours to a minimum. Efficient ventilation.
- Easy-to-clean connecting elements: Selecting easy-to-clean connection elements, such as silicone joints that repel dirt and bacteria, also contribute to maintaining hygiene in the bathroom.
The combination of easy-to-clean materials, hands-free taps and the appropriate ventilation creates a hygienic environment in which the health of the children is protected and the spread of disease is minimised.
Colour design in day-care centres for a motivating environment
Light, friendly colours create a motivating atmosphere in the bathroom. Use accent colours to highlight important areas. Coloured markings on taps make them easier for children to use. Green and blue tones have a calming effect and promote children’s creativity. Design the bathroom accordingly with child-friendly wall art.
You’ll find more information on colour design in child day-care centres in this article:
Playing and learning in the bathroom
Playful elements ensure a motivating learning environment. Bathrooms in child day-care centres shouldn’t be designed only with safety and hygiene in mind but rather should also integrate playful elements. With child-oriented artwork and colourful accessories, you can create an inspiring environment in which children enjoy developing their habits of hygiene. Well thought-through design allows the bathroom to be not only functional but also appealing and motivating.
Child day-care bathrooms promote hygiene
The design of child-friendly bathrooms in schools and day-care centres requires careful planning and the consideration of safety, hygiene and opportunities for play. By adapting the assembly heights, taps, height of toilets, materials, hygiene measures and colour design, you can create a place in which children will enjoy learning and maintaining their habits of hygiene. The appropriate design of the bathroom not only promotes health but also the positive development of the children.
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