Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Supervision of children in bathrooms vs right to children's privacy

    Posted 08-08-2018 07:53 AM
    I am posing a question regarding the supervision of children in bathrooms. DOH is now requiring us to keep bathroom doors open when children are using them to align with Article 47.23 that children must be in direct line of vision at all times. Does this violate the right to privacy of a young child when using the bathroom? I cannot find anything to contradict this edict from DOH. My problem with this is when we have visitors in the classroom that this puts our children at risk, and we are opening ourselves up to leaving our children vulnerable. While we have all parents sign in, we do not do background checks on our parents. Does anyone have any ideas as to what we should do?

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    Eileen Ellrodt McManus
    NYC Early Childhood PDI
    Bronx NY
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  • 2.  RE: Supervision of children in bathrooms vs right to children's privacy

    Posted 08-09-2018 03:16 AM
    Hi. At our school, yes. We do need to keep the doors to our bathrooms open at all time throughout the day. However, there needs to always be a staff member at the bathroom for supervision purposes. To is to ensure safety for the children in our care. As far as privacy, we have wooden partitions between each toilet for that purpose. Yet we can still see the children in the bathroom. When there are families visiting, we always make sure that a staff person is supervising the bathroom so that the families will feel safe bringing their child to our school. They know that all children are being supervised at all times, especially while in the bathroom.

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    Jodi Yamasaki
    KCAA Preschools of Hawaii
    Honolulu HI
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  • 3.  RE: Supervision of children in bathrooms vs right to children's privacy

    Posted 08-09-2018 06:20 AM
    Adjacent to our preschool room we have a double toilet room that has a dutch door on it so that we can see them for supervision but that they can still have their privacy. In our toddler room we have a toilet and sink in separate cubicles but each door is only 3 feet high. This is not only for privacy but safety to keep the kids out of it when not using it. This way the teacher can still help but stay in ratio.

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    Debra Biernesser
    Pitter Patter Place Childcare
    New Brighton PA
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  • 4.  RE: Supervision of children in bathrooms vs right to children's privacy

    Posted 08-09-2018 06:40 AM
    A suggestion that was given to me for this situation is to use a shower liner on a tension rod and place it high enough so that you can see the child, but the other children cannot. Liners can be cut shorter and easy to wipe off for cleaning. If another adult is in the room, I simply would tell them that a child is in the restroom and to please give them some privacy. I'm sure they would understand.

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    Sandra Ryan
    Bay Village OH
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  • 5.  RE: Supervision of children in bathrooms vs right to children's privacy

    Posted 08-09-2018 10:05 AM
    Eileen,

    You gave a great example of an ethical dilemma that we often come across in early childhood! This is a great opportunity to use the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct to figure out next steps. Many members received the Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator book, which can help walk through using the Code. I know not everyone has the book, so I thought this would be a good opportunity to show the process of using it.

    1.  Identify the conflicting responsibilities. In this case, we know that children have to be within sight at all times, by state law (we have the same law in Ohio!). We also know that children's bodies and privacy should be respected, and we need to be keeping them safe, especially with potential visitors in and out of the classroom. It's good to note, as well, that children's concepts of privacy start to develop in preschool years.

    1.  Brainstorm possible resolutions. Since it's brainstorming, everything's on the table. Breaking the law and keeping the door shut is one (extreme) solution. The door could also be kept completely open, no matter who is using the bathroom or who may be in the classroom. Previous posts have offered other options as well: different door styles or a shower curtain in lieu of a door, allowing some level of privacy without reduced teacher vision. Also suggested is having a staff member in the bathroom with children at all times. What about a partially closed door, to again allow a level of privacy, but with a teacher able to stay <g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="98" data-gr-id="98">in</g> sight line? Write all the options!

    1. Consider ethical finesse. The book defines ethical finesse as "a creative response to an ethical dilemma that meets the needs of everyone involved and allows the educator to avoid having to make a difficult decision." How can compromises happen to not have to choose one issue over the other? Maybe that means modifying or only partially closing a door, or dividing teacher responsibilities so that one can be stationed by bathrooms. This can also be trying out some different options to see what works, while still following the law.

    1. Look for guidance in the NAEYC Code. 

    NAEYC Core Values:

    • Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn
    • Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family member, and colleague)

    NAEYC Ethical Responsibilities to Children:

    • P-1.1 Above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others in this Code.
    • I-1.4 To appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence on adults.
    • I-1.5 To create and maintain safe and healthy settings that foster children's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that respect their dignity and their contributions.
    • P-1.8 We shall be familiar with the risk factors for and symptoms of child abuse and neglect...we shall know and follow state laws and community procedures that protect children against abuse and neglect.

    1. Decide on a justifiable course of action. First, and foremost, we do no harm to children. The fact that this situation is being discussed at all is because we recognize the potential harm or disrespect from forcing children to use the bathroom in full view of everyone. At the same time, we can recognize that the law is in place to protect children from abuse or neglect (being left alone in a room, or out of view where something could happen). So, how do we follow the law, while still maintaining children's dignity? Several of the suggested options could work! Children are just starting to learn privacy at this age, and talking through with them why we do things is always a good plan. We can say, for example, "My job is to make sure you stay safe and that you can ask for help if you need to. So, we're going to leave the door open just a little bit, so I'll know if you need help, but so not everybody can see your body - because that's yours!"

    These are dilemmas because they're challenging, and one solution may not be better than another. It's ok to try something and if it doesn't work, try something else. When we use the Code, though, it helps us eliminate some options that may not end so well, and guides us to more effective, professional, and collaborative decisions.


    Let us know what you decide to implement and how it works!



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    Lydia Bowers
    Early Childhood Sexual Health Consultant
    www.lydiambowers.com
    NAEYC Affiliate Advisory Council
    Cincinnati, Ohio
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