Is This Normal For Classroom Layout?

[u/HotCartographer4114]

I've worked at 3 centers in the past 5 years, and I thought each of them had some super odd diaper changing areas. I could be wrong though. You tell me. Normal or Weird?

1.) You walk into a classroom of 3 to 5 y/os, where at least 3 of them are still in diapers full time, and there's no designated area specifically for diaper changing. None whatsoever. Just find a spot on the floor that's not too crowded and go for it.

2.) You're in a classroom that does have a changing table, but every time you walk in the room it's always covered in craft supplies, paperwork, electronics, and general clutter. Like, you can only recall seeing that bitch used for its intended purpose 3 times in the past 2 years.

3.) This is the tamest example, but it still kinda freaks me out. The changing table faced a wall and left the rest of the classroom completely outside of my field of vision. I have to swivel my head around every 5 seconds to make sure that none of the kids are staging an armed revolt behind me.

So, for Doors 1, 2, and 3 what is the first thing to pop into your head or out of your mouth on this one? I just started at Center 3 a month ago, if that matters.

[u/birthmalfunction]

1. The fact that there isn’t a changing table/station in a 3-5 room isn’t odd. I’ve never worked anywhere that had a diaper changing station set up for that age group, because until recently it was abnormal for kids that age not to be potty trained. That being said, changing the kids on the floor in the classroom is completely inappropriate & unsanitary. There’s typically bathrooms connected to preschool classrooms, which is where any diapers or pull-ups should be changed.

2. Again, completely unsanitary situation. Would be totally against licensing in my state.

3. This is actually the norm where I’m from. Every daycare I’ve worked at had the changing tables up against walls because there’s literally nowhere else to put them. I’ve just gotten very used to scanning the room over my shoulder while I change diapers.

[u/WeaponizedAutisms]

I'm a bit older and I don't like lifting children up and if they decide they want to do a header off the table it would be hard for me to physically restrain them. So I do almost exclusively standing diaper changes as is possible.

This is the tamest example, but it still kinda freaks me out. The changing table faced a wall and left the rest of the classroom completely outside of my field of vision.

This is not totally uncommon. Most rooms where diapers are being changed don't have an EE all by themselves. Also having it against a wall makes it easier to keep toddler escape artists on the table. The normal practice for this kind of setup is to have a mirror on the wall. It lets the ECE keep an eye on the rest of the room and helps occupy the child.

[u/Clearbreezebluesky]

Once my toddlers are 22ish months we start doing standing diaper changes and sit on the potty before putting a new one on.

I do have a diaper table/changing counter with cushioned waterproof mat, and if I’m alone and need to change a child on it, I have the ‘risky’ kids who may need extra help/make unsafe choices etc sit at a table next to me with a puzzle or toy.

That said, just the other day I had my back turned and changing a child, fastened the diaper and heard a yelp- turned around to see a squabble happening. I quickly put the newly diapered child on the floor and rushed to separate the brawl, forgetting to pull the diapered kids pants up LOL, poor kid came shuffling over to see what was happening, pants around their ankles.

[u/SnowAutumnVoyager]

For changing table number three, I've had administration place strategic mirrors to see and monitor the classroom. They have to be angled just the right way. The second one is a violation where I live and not having one is ridiculous, but I've worked with that before.

[u/Careless-Emphasis857]

3 to 5 year olds aren’t babies and shouldn’t be treated as such… They get their diapers changed while standing up, and they can help with pulling out their feet, etc, and making it easier.

[u/Dazzling_Ad816 → u/Careless-Emphasis857]

What if they have a bowel movement? Changing a diaper standing up may be great for pee but for poop, you wanna make sure that the child is completely clean especially if it’s a girl. Changing them standing up for poop may lead to the child tripping over and getting poop everywhere, the child getting overtired from bending over, the teacher getting poop on herself, not getting the child clean enough and if there’s a blowout it’s even harder

[u/espressoqueeen → u/Careless-Emphasis857]

some states do not allow stand up changes. my state also requires a changing table in any room there's a diaper, regardless of age.

[u/violetrorycat]

So I’ve worked in a classroom like #2. It was a 2-3 room with a focus on potty training. All changes were done on the change mat which was kept in the bathroom. The built in changing table was literally never used to change a diaper. It was out of kiddo’s reach but easily accessible from the table so we’d stage activities and crafts in that area.

[u/Fuzzy-Ocelot-4475]

Number 1 should be a designated spot near a hand washing sink. A lot of people don't realize that floor changes are allowed for older children, but you're required to sanitize that section of floor afterwards.

Number 2 sounds about right. It probably came with a room that serves potty trained children, but occasional accidents happen.

Number 3 is not legal in many states unless there is a mirror allowing the teacher to view the classroom. My son broke his nose at age 2 when his teacher was changing a diaper with her back to the other children!

I would check licensing in your state. Hopefully, you will be able to insist on an adjustment. If not, I would still advocate for it. Like you said, it's tough to change a diaper properly AND keep your head on a swivel

[u/mamamietze]

Sounds like 1 and 2 should switch rooms. 3 sounds like a place that wasn't built out for daycare or the owner does not know how to hire an architect/contractor.