Nursery, play centres, toddler groups – there’s a world of fun out there for the under 5s. Problem is, with so many exciting activities on offer, remembering to go to the toilet comes bottom of the priory list.
Uh-oh!
According to the NHS, by the age of 4, most children will be reliably dry during the day. But accidents can – and frequently do – still happen.
So the question is, how can you help to prevent them?
5 steps to improve kids’ toilet cubicles
There’s no getting away from it – needing to go to the toilet is a pain. Especially when there’s the worry of missing out, stopping mid-game, or losing your turn.
Encouraging kids to remember to use the loo can be hard work. If your toilets have seen better days, it’s going to be a nightmare. But it doesn’t need to be. There are plenty of easy ways to update toilet cubicles and make a trip to the loo more inviting for young people.
Here’s how:
1. Create a fun space
Ok, so going to the toilet is never going to be ‘fun’, but it doesn’t need to be dreaded either. For some children, a trip to the toilet can spark real anxiety – not helped if said toilets are dark, dingy and uninviting.
By making toilet cubicles an extension of your setting, and a bright and inviting space, you’ll reduce the feeling of being shut off and make it a happy space.
Toilet cubicles don’t have to be bland and boring. Simple things, such as using bright colours, putting up fun pictures and rhymes on the walls, or games on the back of toilet doors, all add to the sense that the toilet isn’t a place to be feared.
2. Make the facilities work for them
If you’re a nursery, soft play centre or café looking to entice parents and children in, then it’s the little people who are your main priority – happy kids means happy parents. That said, your toilets will need to work for both adults and children.
If cubicles are shared with adults and children, then it’s likely fixtures and fittings will be fitted at standard heights. To combat this – and put facilities in easy reach – invest in steps and toilet training seats to ensure kids can comfortably and safely use the space too.
It’s also a good idea to fit children’s door hooks at a lower height so there’s somewhere accessible to hang their coats rather than dropping them on the floor.
3. Encourage independence
Steps and toilet aids are all excellent, but to really encourage independence, you need to look at the bigger picture.
Awkward locks, tricky handles, and stiff taps are a recipe for disaster for children. Replacing old fixtures and fittings for more user-friendly hardware will help to prevent mishaps and maximise safety.
Simplistic, age-appropriate signs for hot and cold taps, reminders to flush the chain and how to wash hands, are also worth putting up.
4. Keep safety a priority
Even locks that are easy to turn can pose a problem for young people – and no one wants the commotion of a child stuck in a toilet cubicle.
Fortunately, there are specially designed locks – the Burstcatch comes highly recommended – available to allow quick and safe entry should a child accidentally lock themselves in, without needing to damage the toilet door.
5. Don’t cause a queue!
Kids aren’t renowned for their patience. Waiting for a turn is only acceptable if there’s something really fun on offer – and using the toilet doesn’t quite cut it.
How many cubicles do you have? Do people often spend time queuing? If so, that’s a good indication it’s time to see if you can change your toilet design to include more cubicles.
Other considerations
– Storage
In a young person’s setting, you’re likely to need plenty of soap, paper towels, toilet rolls, wipes, and nappies on hand, so building in storage is a great idea.
Maximise space by incorporating storage into vanity units under sinks. Or if that’s not an option, you could add shelving – at a height that’s not reachable or tempting for little ones.
– Don’t forget the baby change
For those who haven’t quite made it to toilet training yet, access to baby change facilities for parents and carers is essential to ensure a safe comfortable setting to change nappies and tend to babies’ needs.
Invest in child-friendly cubicles
Keen to improve the toilets you have on offer for your younger visitors? Then why not invest in vibrant new cubicles from M&P Cubicle and Hardware Supplies. We have a fantastic range of toilet cubicles on offer to suit all budgets and a great selection of colourful hardware.
Shop toilet cubicles and our nursery/children’s fittings now or talk to the team to find out more about how we can help you to make improvements to your toilet cubicles – for all ages!