When it comes to the safety and well-being of our children, we all know that keeping things clean is incredibly important. This is especially true for daycare centers, where young children spend much of their time. Those who are responsible for cleaning these centers have an essential job to do. They need to ensure the center is clean and safe for every child in their care.
Discover practical tips and advice for cleaning daycares in the guide below. By following practical tips, you can ensure every corner of the center is free from harmful germs and potential hazards. This will make a big difference to the health and well-being of the children in your care. Parents will also have peace of mind knowing their children are in a clean and safe environment.
Tip #1: Create a Daily Cleaning Schedule
A regular cleaning routine ensures that all surfaces and objects that children touch are appropriately cleaned and sanitized. This reduces the spread of illness and keeps everyone healthy. Also, following a daily cleaning routine sets an excellent example for children and teaches them discipline.
To create an effective childcare center cleaning plan, it's essential to have a checklist of daily tasks to ensure that every area of the childcare center receives the necessary attention.
Here's a checklist to help you start cleaning daycares thoroughly:
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Clean and sanitize all countertops and tables, paying attention to high-touch areas, such as light switches and door handles.
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Disinfect all toys made of hard plastic, wood, and fabric. Ensure all toys are thoroughly dried before returning them to the play area.
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Sweep, vacuum, and mop all floors, focusing on high-traffic zones and areas where children play, eat, or nap.
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Inspect and clean all restroom facilities, including toilets, sinks, and changing tables. Make sure to replace paper products and soap as needed.
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Wipe down all kitchen appliances, such as refrigerators, microwaves, stovetops, cabinet handles and drawer pulls.
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Launder all facility linens, including bedding, towels and nap mats.
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Take out the trash from each room and sanitize the trash cans.
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Supervise a thorough hand washing routine for all children and staff throughout the day.
Tip #2: Use Safe and Effective Cleaning Products
Daycare centers need to use safe cleaning products to keep everyone healthy. It's essential to choose products that can kill germs without using harsh chemicals that might harm children or staff. Inhaling or eating these chemicals can cause serious health issues, like allergies or trouble breathing. Non-toxic and eco-friendly products are the best choice for daycare centers because they help keep the environment safe and clean.
Before buying cleaning products, read the labels and understand what's in them. Look for third-party certifications that say the product is safe, non-toxic and good for the environment. Also, it's wise to be wary of words like "natural" or "green" because they don't always mean the product is safe. It's best to avoid products with harmful chemicals, like ammonia, chlorine bleach and formaldehyde.
Tip #3: Encourage Hand Hygiene Among Children and Staff
Handwashing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of germs and illnesses in any environment, but especially in daycare settings where young children can easily catch and pass on infections. As a daycare provider, you can significantly reduce the risk of illness by teaching and reinforcing proper handwashing techniques and scheduling frequent handwashing breaks throughout the day.
To begin, it's essential to ensure that children in your care understand how to wash their hands correctly. You can achieve this by demonstrating the correct technique and explaining the importance of handwashing in simple language.
Here are some valuable tips when teaching proper handwashing techniques:
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Wet hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), then apply soap.
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Lather the soap, ensuring it covers the backs of the hands, between the fingers, and under the nails.
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Scrub the hands for at least 20 seconds. Make sure that the young ones understand the importance of this step.
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Rinse hands with clean, running water, then dry them with a clean towel, paper towel or air dryer.
Scheduling frequent handwashing breaks throughout the day is another integral aspect of childcare center cleaning. Handwashing should be a regular part of the daily routine, as this helps children develop good hygiene habits that will last a lifetime. Encourage children to wash their hands at the following times during the day:
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Upon arrival at the daycare center, before and after playing outside
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Before and after eating
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After using the restroom
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After handling pets or other animals
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After contact with bodily fluids like sneezing, coughing or wiping a runny nose
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Whenever hands are visibly dirty
As a daycare provider, you must also remember that staff members play a critical role in maintaining a healthy environment. Ensure that your staff sets a good example by following proper hand hygiene procedures and actively encouraging children to wash their hands frequently.
Tip #4: Keep Toys and Play Areas Sanitized
Soft toys and stuffed animals tend to accumulate germs and allergens quickly due to their fabric. Therefore, it's essential to wash them periodically. Children often put these toys in their mouths or share them with other kids, making it even more crucial to keep them clean. It is recommended to create a set schedule for washing these toys and to follow it strictly. Properly washed and sanitized toys will ensure a cleaner environment for children in the daycare.
In addition, incorporating a toy rotation system into your daycare cleaning routine is an effective way to ensure that toys remain sanitized while minimizing wear and tear. By rotating toys, you limit the number of toys out for play at any given time, enabling you to conduct thorough cleaning and sanitization.
Finally, pay attention to indoor and outdoor play areas for thorough daycare cleaning. Ensure that daycare staff regularly cleans and sanitizes surfaces such as tables, chairs, and play structures indoors and outdoors. Remember to clean playground equipment and surfaces, as they can also harbor bacteria and germs.
Tip #5: Pay Attention to Air Quality and Ventilation
Good air circulation is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment. It helps dilute and disperse harmful pollutants, such as allergens, mold spores and chemicals from cleaning products, often generated within daycare centers.
To ensure proper ventilation and maintain good air quality, keep in mind the following:
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Regularly inspect and clean air vents: Dirty air vents can harbor dust, allergens, and harmful microorganisms. Regularly cleaning these vents will help prevent pollutants from recirculating in the childcare center, ensuring a healthier environment.
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Replace air filters in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems: Air filters play a vital role in trapping contaminants and pollutants from the indoor air. However, over time, these filters can become clogged and less effective. Regularly replacing air filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations will ensure optimal performance in filtering harmful particles and maintaining good air quality.
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Encourage natural ventilation: Besides mechanical ventilation systems, natural ventilation, like opening windows and doors, can also help refresh the indoor air. Whenever weather and outdoor air quality permit, allow letting fresh air in. This will dilute the concentration of indoor pollutants and provide a more comfortable environment for the children.
Prioritize a Healthy Environment with Neutron Industries
Running a daycare center can be challenging, but keeping the environment clean and healthy shouldn't be one of them. By following these five tips in cleaning daycares, you can ensure a safe and sanitary space for children to learn, play and grow. Choose the right products for your center, and partner with a company that understands the importance of cleanliness.
Neutron Industries offers a range of high-quality cleaning products explicitly tailored for facilities like daycare centers to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness. Shop today.