The Importance of Hand Hygiene for Children: Building Healthy Habits at Genesis Childcare 1989
- Joyce Ng
- Dec 15, 2022
- 7 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Children are naturally curious explorers. They touch, play, and discover the world through their hands — from picking up toys to exploring outdoor playgrounds. However, this constant activity also means their little hands can easily collect dirt and germs along the way. Without proper hygiene habits, these germs can quickly enter their bodies when they touch their eyes, nose, or mouth, leading to common infections like colds, flu, stomach bugs, or even COVID-19.
That’s why hand hygiene is one of the most vital life skills children can learn. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that nurturing good hygiene habits from a young age helps lay the foundation for a lifetime of good health and responsibility.
Whether in our Tampines infant care, Tampines nursery, or Tampines preschool, we make handwashing both educational and fun, helping children understand why cleanliness matters and how it keeps everyone safe.
Why Handwashing Matters So Much
Germs are invisible but powerful. They spread quickly through the simplest actions — touching toys, sharing food, or even high-fiving a friend. When a child uses unwashed hands to eat or rub their eyes, germs find their way inside the body and can cause illnesses like gastrointestinal infections, flu, or respiratory diseases.
For young children whose immune systems are still developing, good handwashing practices act as the first line of defense. At Genesis Childcare 1989, we integrate hygiene education into daily routines across our Tampines child care programs. Our educators gently remind and guide children to wash their hands before and after meals, after playtime, and whenever necessary — transforming hygiene into a natural part of their day rather than a chore.
We believe that teaching kids to “scrub the germs away” doesn’t just protect them individually — it also creates a healthier environment for all. With consistent hand hygiene, children learn to care for themselves and those around them.
When Should Children Wash Their Hands?
To instill strong hygiene habits, children need gentle reminders and consistency. Encourage your child to wash their hands at these key moments:
Before and after eating food Clean hands mean cleaner bites!
After using the toilet This is one of the most critical times to wash up properly.
After arriving or leaving a childcare center or infant care center It prevents bringing outside germs into learning environments or back home.
After touching animals or pet food Pets can carry bacteria that might make children sick.
After touching shared surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, or lift buttons.
After outdoor play, especially in parks or sand areas.
After coughing, sneezing, or blowing the nose.
In our Tampines preschool, these moments are built into the children’s daily routine. Teachers remind and supervise the process, ensuring every child learns proper habits in a warm and encouraging way.
The 8 Steps to Proper Handwashing
It’s not just about rinsing — it’s about how you wash. According to Health Hub’s recommended guidelines, proper handwashing takes about 20 seconds and includes these eight easy steps:
Wet your hands under clean, running water.
Apply soap generously.
Rub palms together.
Scrub the back of each hand.
Clean between fingers.
Rub the backs of fingers on opposite palms.
Clean thumbs and fingertips.
Rinse and dry thoroughly with a clean towel or air dry.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, our staff model these steps daily. In our Tampines nursery and Tampines child care programs, washing stations are designed at child-friendly heights so little ones can comfortably reach and participate. We even use fun visual guides and songs to help them remember every step.
Other Ways to Prevent the Spread of Germs
Handwashing is essential, but there are also other ways families and teachers can work together to keep children safe and healthy:
Stay home when feeling unwell. Teaching children about social responsibility helps stop germs from spreading.
Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Regular cleaning of tables, doorknobs, and toys reduces exposure to harmful bacteria.
Avoid touching the face unnecessarily. Remind your child to keep their hands away from their eyes, nose, and mouth.
Carry a hand sanitizer. When soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based sanitizer can serve as a good alternative.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we maintain rigorous hygiene protocols in all our centers. Our Tampines childcare classrooms and play areas are cleaned and sanitized multiple times a day, while toys and shared items are disinfected regularly. Our goal is to provide a safe, germ-free learning environment where children can explore freely and parents can have complete peace of mind.
Making Handwashing Fun for Kids
Let’s face it — young children can get bored easily. Turning handwashing into a fun, engaging activity is the best way to build lasting habits. Here are a few simple yet effective ideas we use at our Tampines preschool and encourage parents to try at home too:
1. Sing While Washing
Timing is everything! Encourage your child to sing their favorite 20-second tune while scrubbing their hands. It could be “Baby Shark,” “Let It Go,” or even the “Happy Birthday” song. At Genesis, our educators use songs to make hygiene moments lively and interactive — turning a routine task into playtime.
2. Lead by Example
Children imitate what they see. When parents and teachers consistently wash their hands, little ones naturally follow. At Genesis Childcare 1989, our staff set the standard by demonstrating hand hygiene before meals, after outdoor activities, and throughout the day. By seeing their teachers wash their hands, children learn that it’s not just a rule — it’s a way of caring for themselves and others.
3. Learn Through Stories
Books about handwashing and germs can make the concept more relatable and less abstract. Storytime at our Tampines nursery often includes picture books that explain why clean hands are important, helping even the youngest learners understand the connection between hygiene and health.
Health, Cleanliness, and the Importance of Hand Hygiene at Genesis Childcare 1989
When selecting a childcare center, parents often focus on the curriculum, teachers, and facilities. However, one vital yet sometimes overlooked aspect is hand hygiene — a simple but powerful practice that plays a major role in preventing illness and promoting overall health.
At Genesis Childcare 1989, we take hygiene — especially the importance of proper handwashing — very seriously. As a trusted provider of Tampines childcare and Tampines preschool programs, we uphold the highest standards of cleanliness throughout our center, from classrooms and dining areas to play zones and restrooms. Our educators and caregivers receive ongoing training to ensure that children learn and practice good hygiene habits daily, such as washing hands before meals, after playtime, and after using the restroom.
In our Tampines infant care division, Nurture Infant House, we place special emphasis on sanitization and hand hygiene, knowing that infants have developing immune systems and need extra protection from germs. Toys, feeding tools, and cots are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to provide a safe and nurturing space for every baby.
We also partner with parents to create consistency between home and school, reinforcing the importance of hand hygiene as a lifelong habit. Together, we help children understand that clean hands mean healthy bodies — setting the foundation for lifelong wellness and responsibility.
Why Parents Choose Genesis Childcare 1989
For more than 30 years, Genesis Childcare 1989 has been a trusted partner for families in Tampines, known for our nurturing teachers, clean facilities, and strong emphasis on health and wellbeing. We don’t just focus on academic growth — we care about the whole child.
Our centers — whether you visit our Tampines preschool, Tampines nursery, or Tampines infant care — are designed to support every child’s developmental needs in a safe, loving, and hygienic environment.
By combining structured routines with fun, creative learning, we ensure that every child enjoys their day while learning essential life skills like hygiene, empathy, and responsibility. Parents can rest assured knowing that their children are cared for by passionate educators who treat cleanliness and safety as top priorities.
Give Your Child the Best Start at Genesis Childcare 1989
Good hygiene habits start young — and so does good education. By enrolling your child in Genesis Childcare 1989, you’re giving them the opportunity to learn, play, and grow in a clean, supportive environment.
From our nurturing Tampines infant care to our engaging Tampines preschool and Tampines nursery programs, every aspect of our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to promote not only learning but also health, happiness, and wellbeing.
Because at Genesis Childcare 1989, we believe that a healthy child is a happy learner — and every happy learner grows into a confident, capable individual.
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Genesis Tampines Childcare 1989 is one of the best preschool and childcare in Tampines. Our Preschool Tampines have over 30 years of experience in nurturing thousands of infants, toddlers and preschoolers. At our Tampines Childcare, we advocate that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished.
As a leading early childhood center in Singapore since 1989, we are committed to nurturing our early learners holistically through various learning areas and positive learning dispositions. We place a strong emphasis on the way our teachers facilitate and interact with the children.
Our Childcare Tampines believe that every child is unique and precious who needs to be loved and cherished. Hence, our holistic curriculum aims to create meaningful learning experiences for each and every one of them!
Our Playgroup Tampines provides parents with the confidence that their children are in the good hands of our trained and caring teachers.
Our professional team of preschool teachers has a good understanding of child development and learning principles. We apply them efficiently and set the stage to create a meaningful learning experience that supports your child's discovery.
We consistently create a positive and cozy environment that will give your child a sense of security which builds their self-confidence to explore the world around them.
If you are looking for a good Tampines infant care or Tampines preschool or Tampines childcare near Tampines Central, do consider Nurture Infant House or Genesis Childcare 1989.
Located alongside our childcare in Tampines is our Nurture Infant House. If you are looking for Tampines infant care or infant care in Tampines, do visit Nurture Infant House. It is for infants aged 2 months to 18 months old. You can learn more about our infant care Tampines here.
Lastly, would you like to visit our Genesis Childcare 1989 to find out more about our environment and setup as well as understand our operations by talking to our teachers and supervisor?
Genesis Childcare 1989 (Playgroup to Kindergarten 2)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-63/65 S(520433)
Nurture Infant House (2 to 18 months Infants)
Blk 433 Tampines Street 43 #01-61 S(520433)
Opening hours: Monday to Friday (7am to 7pm) & Saturday (7am to 2pm)
Public Bus services: 8 / 21 / 28 / 29 / 293
Tel: 96664141
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