Written by All Portable Sinks
Handwashing is an important part of the school day, but making that happen isn’t always as simple as it should be. Standard sinks are often too tall for kids, but leaving the classroom for every handwashing break isn’t any more convenient.
A child-height portable sink is a practical way to bring handwashing into the classroom. At just the right height for little ones, these self-contained handwashing stations can go wherever they’re needed without permanent plumbing.
Standard sinks are between 34 and 36 inches high, and bathroom sinks are a little shorter, say 30 to 32 inches high. But the average preschooler? They’re 35 to 40 inches tall, making it impractical to use a standard-height sink without a stool or adult help.
Adding a child-height sink to your classroom makes independence far more practical. Preschoolers and even toddlers are able to reach the faucet and soap on their own, making it easy to wash their hands whenever they need without asking for help or standing on a stool or chair. It also eliminates the logistical challenge of coordinating trips to the bathroom whenever someone needs to wash up.
One of the biggest advantages of a portable sink is how they operate. They use self-contained water systems, so you don’t have to live through a messy and expensive remodeling or retrofit, or keep your portable sink in one location. You can use it just about anywhere your classroom needs it, like:
Not every classroom or daycare has the same needs or the same space. Your daily routine and where you’ll use the sink will influence what factors make the most difference. Here’s what to consider in a portable sink for your classroom or daycare.
Like adult-height sinks, portable children’s sinks come in different heights.
Some are 30 inches tall, making them the perfect height for four- and five-year-olds, but still too tall for a two- or three-year-old. Likewise, a 22-inch-high portable height sink is perfect for the two-year-old classroom but may be the wrong size for a pre-K or kindergarten classroom.
While water can get things clean, soap plus running water gets things really clean, not to mention, it’s the foundation for good hand hygiene and proper handwashing. And adding towels to your portable sink setup is a must, but that may be easier said than done when it comes to kids.
Fortunately, many portable sink models come with an integrated soap dispenser and paper towel holder, putting everything your pint-sized students need within easy reach. A few even have an integrated waste basket or a backsplash to help contain messes.
A portable sink should be, well, portable, but it should also be easy for adults to move. But in some cases, portable means you have to put the sink on a dolly, which may not be practical in a classroom or daycare setting.
Instead, look for portable sinks with sturdy swivel casters that make it easy to roll the sink through doorways and around furniture or tight corners. But also make sure those casters lock tight so the sink doesn’t accidentally move or shift while in use.
Nearly every child-height portable sink uses an electric pump to deliver running water, and those with hot water utilize a water heater. To make these parts work, you need power. While many portable sinks plug into a standard electric outlet, a few models use rechargeable batteries. So, consider where and how you’ll use your portable sink, especially if you want it someplace that doesn’t have easy access to an outlet.
Handwashing works equally well in hot and cold water, but what’s most effective is washing your hands in water that’s a comfortable temperature. So, while some portable sinks are cold water only, picking one with hot and cold water gives everyone the ability to adjust the temperature to suit their needs. What’s more, in some states, schools and daycares are required to provide hot and cold running water at every handwashing sink.
No matter why you choose a portable sink with hot and cold running water, look for built-in safeguards that prevent the water from getting too hot for small hands.
Many states or local jurisdictions have specific handwashing sink requirements for schools and licensed daycare facilities. You may be required to:
In many cases, portable child-height sinks can help you meet these requirements. However, not every portable sink complies with the regulations, and portable sinks may not be the complete solution. You may still be required to have sinks with permanent plumbing even when you have plenty of portable sinks.
Learning how to wash their hands independently is an important and practical life skill that young children need to master, and a child-height sink in the classroom makes it easy for kids to practice that skill all day long. What’s more, it makes things easier on the teacher, ensuring they can keep doing what they love without stopping for a handwashing break every few minutes.
At All Portable Sinks, we have a variety of portable child-height sinks that are perfect for classrooms, daycares, day camps, and more. And if child-height sinks don’t work in your space, we can still help. Accessories like sturdy stepstools make independent hand washing easy and fun.
Browse our full lineup of child-height portable sinks, or contact us today, and our team will help you find the right option for your space and needs.
