Rationale:
To investigate the transition from pre-school or home to mainstream schooling with respect to children’s toilet practices and hygiene.

Aims:

• To document experiential understandings of children’s use of “stand-alone” toilet blocks common in many Australian schools.

Methodology:

• Undertake a critical design review of stand-alone toilet blocks
• Research perceived problems in such blocks
• Research best-practice alternatives from around the world

• Children are often scared or reluctant to use the Australian toilet block, which can lead to psychological and physiological problems (encoprecis and enuresis)
• One alternative toilet setup for young children was observed in The Netherlands, where small toilet rooms are located in main buildings sandwiched between classrooms and opening to them, easily monitored by staff (see picture)
• Some Australian schools could integrate a modification of the Dutch system – staff toilets are often already placed conveniently close to classrooms and could be converted into children’s toilets