If you have small children of your own, are a teacher or have young family members that you see regularly, you’ll understand the importance of having a well-equipped, user-friendly bathroom for them to use. From the bath and bedtime routine to potty training, creating a space which is safe and functional is key. However, have you ever thought about how well your bathroom design suits your young children and what you should consider when it comes to washroom fit out’s and refurbishments? Are they struggling to reach to sink? Or maybe the flooring is a safety hazard.
Without having to install all child-sized bathroom fixtures, there are many simple ways that you can adapt your bathroom to meet a youngster's needs. This covers homes, school toilets, commercial spaces and public washrooms. Here are some simple yet essential tips to consider when creating a child-friendly bathroom.
Child-friendly bathroom design for the home
When it comes to a home bathroom, it is less likely that you’re going to want to invest in the mini fixtures. Your child is going to grow, and fast, so buying standard-sized equipment is a given. However, for the first few years of their lives, they are going to struggle to reach, use, clean and safely operate these fixtures. When analysing the bathroom layout or equipment, here are some useful suggestions to help your little one out.
- Buy a small stool to help them reach the vanity unit and sides. You can also introduce a space where the stool can be folded away when it is not in use to reduce clutter and potential hazards.
- Invest in a baby and toddler bathtub. These fit into your standard tub and have gripped surfaces which avoid slips and fall.
- Choose a countertop which is durable, easily cleaned and will not be stained or scratched.
- Use a step stool for the toilet.
- Make sure that you have storage cabinets which are out of reach. These will store glass bottles, razors, scissors and other potentially dangerous items that inquisitive toddlers might find. This also refers to cleaning products. Bathroom cleaning involves a lot of toxic chemicals, so it’s recommended to store them somewhere safe and out of reach, or even in a different room.
- Install anti-scald devices which will limit hot water flow to avoid burns and injury.
- Make sure all bath toys are stored away after use and aren't cluttered or causing a hazard. It’s also important to check plastic bath toys as these can sometimes harvest mould.
- Make sure the lock is out of reach. The last thing you want is for your toddler to lock themselves in the bathroom, so make sure your door lock isn't too accessible.
Most of the time, you’re probably going to accompany your child to the bathroom yourself however all these tips will ensure there are no safety concerns and everyone, not just the child, can use the bathroom adequately.
Child-friendly school washrooms
School washrooms have a huge responsibility to be practical, safe, hardwearing and of course, child-friendly. Whether it’s a nursery or a college toilet, these washrooms need to have the appropriate facilities so that children can use the bathroom safely and have everything they need. A school washroom is used hundreds of times a day, by many different people, so the equipment and fixtures installed must be durable, long-lasting and serviceable. Here are some crucial tips to create a child-friendly school washroom.
Read more: 8 essentials features of a school washroom
- In primary schools specifically, make sure to have different height fixtures in terms of cubicles and vanity units. These schools have a wide range of different age groups that might require different equipment, especially if they have a nursery.
- Safety and hygiene signs. Having plenty of signage in place is crucial when designing a child’s bathroom. These signs might include things such as how to wash your hands correctly, anti-bullying posts or reminders to turn taps off.
- Invest in facilities management. Although every school will have cleaners and facility teams in place, having a facilities manager will ensure that every part of the washroom is safe and easy to use every single day. Facility teams will also tackle issues such as graffiti, broken fixtures, leaks or vandalism.
- Keep everything stocked up. School washrooms are used constantly, so making sure all products are stocked up is essential. These include things such as toilet rolls, hand soap and hand towels.
- Touchless equipment. Many schools are now opting for touchless equipment such as touchless taps, soap dispensers and hand dryers. These are not only modern and hygienic but they also save water and might deter students from lingering in the bathrooms.
- Check school washroom regulations and make sure that all laws and requirements are being met.
- Consider design themes and the aesthetic of the washroom.
- Install disabled, accessible cubicles for those who need them. These cubicles will ensure every student's needs are met and create an inclusive environment. Click for more on the regulations around disabled toilets.
School Washrooms by Inspired Washrooms
Inspired Washrooms designs and installs washrooms across the UK, including schools, academies and community centres. We can use our vast experience in the industry to help combat any issues that are prevalent in your school to ensure a safe and welcoming washroom experience for all pupils, staff and visitors. Interested in starting a project with us? Download our Inspired Washrooms Brochure to view our full range of products and services.
For help and advice with anything we’ve mentioned above, please get in touch at 0115 811 4242 and our friendly team will get back to you.