These notes do not change any of the requirements in the printed scales, they merely add additional information to help in accurate scoring.
Be sure to replace older notes with newer notes.
Most recent changes are in orange:
10-09: Items 4 and 5 07-12: Bleach/water solution ratio, Item 12
06-10: Items 20 and 28 09-12: Item 11
11-10: Items 7 and 8 11-12: Bleach/water surface time
03-11: Item 2 01-13: General Notes (addition to handwashing)
07-11: Handwashing, Item 10, 12, 13, 27
09-11: Item 24
01-12: Item 22
04-12: General Notes, Item 6, 10, 12
General Notes:
In order to clarify the different but related functions of cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting to remove germs, “Caring for Our Children" states that cleaning means physically removing dirt and contamination using soap, water and applying friction, thus exposing any remaining germs on the dry, clean surface. Sanitizing means reducing germs on an inanimate surface or object to a safe level. Disinfecting means destroying germs on an inanimate surface or object. A sanitizer should be used on food contact surfaces or any object that is mouthed. A disinfectant should be used only on diaper changing tables, toilets, counter tops, door and cabinet handles. Only EPA approved products are acceptable, and all sanitizers and disinfectants must be used according to the instructions on the container in order to be safe.
If a bleach/water solution is used as a sanitizer the solution is 1 tablespoon to 1 gallon of cool water.
If a bleach/water solution is used as a disinfectant, the solution is 1-3 tablespoons to 1 quart of cool water, or 1/4 to 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of cool water.
The bleach/water solutions used as a sanitizer or disinfectant must remain on the surface for at least 2 minutes to be given credit.
Explanation of Terms Used Throughout the Scale:
This note should be added to the "Explanation of Terms Used throughout the Scale" that begins on page 6 in the ECERS-R scale:
Handwashing and hand sanitizer use: The 2011 edition of Caring for Our Children (page 113) states that hand sanitizers can be used in place of handwashing unless hands are visibly soiled. Use can be by adults and children 2 years of age and older. Therefore the use of hand sanitizers is acceptable when scoring these indicators as long as the product contains 60-95% alcohol, manufacturer’s instructions are followed, and very close supervision of children is provided to ensure proper use and to avoid ingestion or contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Be sure to check to be sure that the manufacturer’s directions for use are followed exactly, because if not, do not give credit for any time when not followed. You should ask to see the original container with directions for use, if it is not observable. If children are not closely supervised when using the sanitizer, consider in supervision–related indicators for the item specifically, and also in Safety and Supervision.
If hands are visibly dirty, handwashing, according to the required procedure is still required, although the time for rubbing soapy hands together before rinsing is changed to 20 seconds rather than the original 10 seconds. Antibacterial soaps should not be used. Children using shared art or sensory materials must wash hands, or use hand sanitizer according to directions, both before and after use.
Handwashing or use of a hand sanitizer is required for all ERS observers upon entering the program.
The use of some shared art and sensory materials will not require hand washing before use. Moist or wet materials are more likely to spread germs than dry materials. For example, shared crayons would not require hand hygiene before or after use, while having two children share play dough, or finger paint on one surface, would require it. Similarly, hand hygiene would not be required before using shared dry sand (just after), but if water were shared, then hand hygiene would be required both before and after use.