Handwashing is one of the very first habits children learn, and school is a key place to embed it for good. Between playtime, the canteen and shared activities, regular, thorough handwashing among children limits the spread of germs and the most common childhood illnesses (gastroenteritis, colds, flu). But for that to work, school toilets need to be fitted with hand dryers for schools that are genuinely suited to young users — safe, quiet, and designed with children in mind. That’s the whole purpose behind JVD’s Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids ranges of children’s hand dryers.
Why Hygiene in Schools Deserves Special Attention
Schools, from nurseries through to primary schools, welcome dozens if not hundreds of children every day who share the same spaces, the same equipment and the same toilets. That close contact makes schools particularly fertile ground for the spread of viruses and bacteria. Strengthening hygiene in schools relies on several complementary measures:
- accessible washbasins sized appropriately for children;
- soap that’s pleasant to use, encouraging children to want to wash their hands;
- efficient, quick and hygienic drying, with no paper towels to manage and no shared towels (which should never be used);
- playful, educational signage that makes handwashing feel like fun rather than a chore.
It’s this last point — often overlooked — that plays a major role in getting children to actually adopt these good habits.
How to Choose the Right Hand Dryer for School Toilets?
A hand dryer for nursery schools can’t simply be a standard hand dryer mounted a bit lower on the wall. Several criteria should guide school leadership teams, local authorities and facilities managers when making their choice:
- Noise comfort. Children, particularly the youngest ones, can be startled or even frightened by the noise of a conventional hand dryer. A unit that’s too loud can put children off using it altogether, leading them to wipe their hands on their clothes instead.
- Safety in use. No sharp edges, an installation height designed for smaller children, and airflow power that’s carefully controlled to avoid any discomfort.
- An educational dimension. A good hand dryer supports children through the whole handwashing routine — wetting, soaping, rinsing, drying — rather than only covering the drying step.
- Durability and hygiene. School toilets see intensive daily use, so equipment needs to be easy to maintain and built to last.
It’s in direct response to these needs that JVD developed its range of hand dryers designed specifically for children.
Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids: Hand Dryers Designed for Children
JVD offers two jet-air hand dryers built specifically for nursery and primary schools: the Exp’air Kids and the Sup’Air Kids. Both units share the same goal — making handwashing simple, enjoyable and reassuring for children.
Noise Comfort Designed for Younger Users
Both models are up to 50% quieter than competing hand dryers — an essential feature for avoiding startling children and encouraging natural, repeated use without any apprehension.
A Complete Educational Pack
The Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids come with a full educational pack, including soap and signage panels. The aim is to turn a trip to the toilets into a learning moment rather than just another routine task.
Playful, Reassuring Design
With a visual world designed for children — colours, shapes and characters — these hand dryers create a reassuring environment that helps young children build confidence and independence in their hygiene habits.
Practical Support for Learning
Beyond drying, these units genuinely guide children through the whole handwashing process, thanks to clear signage that walks them through every step.
How to Encourage Pupils to Wash Their Hands at School
The right equipment alone isn’t enough — children also need to want to use it properly. That’s where JVD’s educational signage comes in, turning handwashing into a fun little ritual in four simple, illustrated steps:
- Wet your hands
- Take some soap with the giraffe
- Wash your hands
- Dry your hands with the zebra or the crocodile
These visual cues, paired with familiar and friendly characters, help children remember the full handwashing sequence and repeat it independently, without needing constant adult supervision. It’s also a great resource for teachers and school staff, who can use the signage as part of hygiene awareness sessions.
Where to Find Handwashing Solutions for Schools in the UK
JVD has spent many years supporting schools, nurseries and early years settings in equipping their toilets and washrooms. Explore our full range of solutions for nursery and primary schools — hand dryers, soap dispensers and hygiene accessories — on our Nurseries and Primary Schools page, along with the details of our Kids range featuring the Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids hand dryers.
The best solutions combine an accessible washbasin, soap suited to children, and a quiet, safe hand dryer, such as JVD’s Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids models. Adding educational signage that illustrates each step of handwashing boosts the effectiveness of the equipment by helping children learn the right technique on their own.
JVD offers complete kits for nursery and primary schools, including hand dryers, soap dispensers and educational signage. These solutions are available on the dedicated Nurseries and Primary Schools page and on the Kids range of the JVD Website
Look for a unit with excellent noise comfort (at least 50% quieter than standard models), enhanced safety features for young children, and an educational component built in. JVD’s Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids hand dryers meet these criteria thanks to their playful design, low noise level and included educational pack.
Raising awareness relies on repeating the routine and using fun visual aids. JVD’s educational signage guides children through four simple steps: wetting hands, taking soap with the giraffe, washing hands, then drying them with the zebra or the crocodile. This kind of visual cue, combined with workshops led by teachers, helps children build lasting good hygiene habits.
In Summary
Fitting school toilets with hand dryers designed for children is a concrete way to improve hygiene in schools while helping young pupils learn an essential daily habit. With the Exp’air Kids and Sup’Air Kids ranges, JVD offers a quiet, reassuring and educational solution, designed from the ground up for nursery and primary schools.
