As a mum of three and someone who’s always had a strong interest in the wellbeing of children, I know just how important a good care routine is — not just at home but in early years settings too. Establishing regular physical care routines helps toddlers and children feel secure, build independence, and grow up understanding the importance of self-care.
Why a Care Routine Matters
Creating a consistent care routine for young children, particularly those around 3 years old, helps them understand expectations and feel safe. Whether it’s part of your home routines or care routines within the setting, having structure around personal and physical care encourages children to rest and sleep better, eat well, and feel emotionally secure.
Understanding Physical Care Routines
Physical care routines are integral to child development and cover everything from hygiene to feeding, sleep, and toileting. These routines are not just practical — they’re also emotional touchpoints. It’s within these everyday moments that we build trust, teach independence, and ensure each child’s needs are met.
In both the home and the setting, it’s important to support these routines by showing children consistency and empathy. For example, letting your child watch adults and other children brushing their teeth can encourage positive habits. In early years settings, practitioners are responsible for meeting the physical needs of each child with sensitivity and respect.
Promoting the Care Routine in Babies and Toddlers
From the time a child is born, care is an essential part of their daily experience. For babies and toddlers, routines help them feel safe and loved. As they grow, these toddler’s care routines become opportunities for learning.
Encourage toddlers to develop care routines like washing hands, brushing teeth, and dressing themselves. These are small but significant steps towards independence. Children should be encouraged, not rushed, and routines made fun by undertaking physical care routines with songs, games, or special rewards.
Intimate Care: Respect and Responsibility
Intimate care — such as nappy changes, toileting, and washing areas of the skin — must always be carried out respectfully. This is a sensitive aspect of care that requires a deep understanding of each child’s comfort and dignity. Children are always shown respect during these routines, with adults ensuring privacy and explaining what is happening in age-appropriate ways.
Following best practice in intimate care not only protects children’s rights but also helps them feel valued and secure. Whether it’s a 2 year old child or older toddler, we must ensure that care routines are maintained regularly with proper hygiene and emotional reassurance.
Encouraging Independence in Personal Care
Hygiene routines are something children can and should begin to take part in from an early age. Children must learn how to take care of their bodies to grow confidently. Whether it’s helping with dressing or using the toilet, these care activities support a growing sense of autonomy.
Physical care is an essential part of building independence. Children should be encouraged to do as much as they can for themselves, with guidance and support. Adults should model these routines with enthusiasm and excitement with the children, reinforcing that care routines are normal and even enjoyable parts of daily life.
How to Ensure the Best Possible Care
To ensure the best possible care, we need to consider each care routine from the child’s perspective. Care routines in a successful manner should be consistent yet flexible, warm, and child-centred.
In care within settings, staff should be trained in best practice, aware of safeguarding principles, and skilled in balancing care and education. Physical care routines and growing independently go hand in hand, especially when children receive care in settings in groups.
To support this, here are some key resources from trusted organisations:
- NHS – Personal Hygiene for Children
- NSPCC – Good Practice in Early Years
- PACEY – Supporting Personal Care Routines
- UNICEF – Rights of the Child
Final Thoughts
Physical care routines are important to support because they lay the foundation for a child’s health, independence, and emotional wellbeing. From toddlers to develop care routines to older children learning about self-care, these everyday moments are powerful. By undertaking physical care routines with love, respect, and consistency, we’re not just meeting their basic needs — we’re helping them thrive.
As a parent, I find joy in those quiet moments — brushing teeth together, wiping sticky hands, snuggling after a bath. These are the memories and habits that shape our children’s futures.
Let’s keep promoting the care that nurtures not just bodies but hearts, too.