We are requiring all students and teachers wash their hands upon entering our facility to reduce the potential for germs spreading.  Keeping hands clean is one of the most important steps we can take to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. Many diseases and conditions are spread by not washing hands with soap and clean, running water.

The CDC recommends cleaning hands in a specific way to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others. (https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/show-me-the-science.html).

Please also keep your student at home if they do not feel well.  Our Illness Policy is here.

If you have questions or concerns, please do reach out to us at info@northwestartcenter.org.

Mandatory Handwashing Procedure

All students entering NWAC are required to wash their hands before starting class.

Students and staff members should wash their hands using the following method:

• Check to be sure a clean, disposable paper (or single-use cloth) towel is available.
• Turn on clean, running water to a comfortable temperature.
• Moisten hands with water and apply liquid soap to hands.
• Antibacterial soap should not be used.
• Bar soaps should not be used.
• Rub hands together vigorously until a soapy lather appears (hands are out of the water stream) and continue for at least 20 seconds (sing “Happy Birthday to You” twice). Rub areas between fingers, around nail beds, under fingernails and jewelry, and on back of hands.
• Rinse hands under clean, running water that is at a comfortable temperature until they are free of soap and dirt. If faucets do not shut off automatically, turn faucets off with a disposable paper or single-use cloth towel.
• Dry hands with the clean, disposable paper or single-use cloth towel.
• Throw disposable paper towels into a lined trash container.
• Children and staff who need to open a door to leave a bathroom or diaper-changing area should open the door with a disposable towel to avoid possibly re-contaminating clean hands. If a child cannot open the door or turn off the faucet, he or she should be assisted by an adult.

Use of antimicrobial soap is not recommended in early care and education settings. There are no data to support use of antibacterial soaps over other liquid soaps.

When running water is unavailable or impractical, the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer is a suitable alternative. The use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers is an alternative to traditional handwashing (with soap and water) if

• Soap and water are not available, and hands are not visibly dirty.
• Hands are rubbed together, distributing sanitizer to all hand and finger surfaces, and allowed to air-dry.

Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should contain at least 60% alcohol and be kept out of reach of children. Active supervision of children is required to monitor effective use and to avoid potential ingestion or inadvertent contact with eyes and mucous membranes.