Running a childcare centre is a huge responsibility. Children’s safety and health are always the top priorities, and a big part of that is keeping the centre clean and germ-free. Kids are more likely to catch germs and get sick, so maintaining a clean environment is crucial to keeping everyone healthy.
In this blog, we’ll share five essential tips for keeping your childcare centre clean and safe. These tips are simple and easy to follow, making it easier to protect the kids in your care. Whether you’re doing the cleaning yourself or thinking about hiring professional childcare cleaners in Brisbane, these ideas will help you keep the germs at bay.
Clean the Spots Everyone Touches
Think about how many things kids touch every day. From toys to tables to doorknobs, germs can spread quickly when surfaces aren’t cleaned often. In childcare centres, certain areas are high-touch areas that kids and staff touch all the time. These areas need extra attention.
Examples of High-Touch Areas:
- Toys: Kids love toys, but they also love putting them in their mouths. This makes toys a significant spot for germs.
- Tables and Chairs: Whether it’s snack time or craft time, these are used all day long.
- Doorknobs and Light Switches: Everyone touches these, making them prime places for germs to spread.
- Handrails: Kids often grab onto handrails, especially when going up and down stairs.
To keep your childcare centre safe, it’s essential to clean and disinfect these spots throughout the day. Wiping them down once isn’t enough. Germs can spread fast, so the more often you clean these areas, the better.
Tip: Choose Kid-Friendly Cleaning Products
When cleaning high-touch areas, use cleaning products that are safe for children. Some cleaners have strong chemicals that could harm kids, especially those with sensitive skin. Always use non-toxic products to keep everyone safe while cleaning up the germs.
Keep Toys Clean and Germ-Free
Toys are a big part of any childcare centre. They keep the kids entertained and help them learn, but they can also carry a lot of germs. Since children share toys and often put them in their mouths, it’s important to keep toys clean and sanitized.
How to Clean and Sanitize Toys:
- Plastic Toys: Wash plastic toys with warm, soapy water. After washing, sanitize them with a child-safe disinfectant. Rinse well and let the toys dry before giving them back to the kids.
- Stuffed Toys: Put soft toys in the washing machine on a hot water cycle. For toys that can’t be washed in the machine, spot-clean them with a damp cloth and mild soap.
- Electronic Toys: Wipe electronic toys down with disinfectant wipes or a cloth. Be careful not to use too much water, as it can damage the toy.
Tip: Rotate Toys for Easier Cleaning
A great way to make cleaning toys easier is to rotate them. You can divide toys into groups and only put one group out at a time. While one set of toys is in use, you can clean the other set. This keeps the toys fresh and makes cleaning more manageable.
Keep Bathrooms and Changing Areas Clean
Bathrooms and changing areas are places where germs can quickly spread, so they need to be cleaned often. In a childcare centre, keeping these areas clean is one of the best ways to prevent illness from spreading.
How to Keep Bathrooms and Changing Areas Clean:
- Bathrooms: Clean toilets, sinks, and faucets regularly throughout the day. Wipe down surfaces like counters and mirrors with disinfectant wipes. Mop the floors, too.
- Changing Tables: After every diaper change, wipe down the changing table with disinfectant wipes. Make sure to clean all the surfaces, including the edges and underneath the pad.
- Handwashing: Teach both kids and staff to wash their hands well after using the bathroom or changing diapers. Proper handwashing is one of the easiest and best ways to stop germs from spreading.
Tip: Keep Supplies Stocked
Always ensure that your bathrooms and changing areas have enough supplies. Keep extra soap, paper towels, and disinfectant wipes handy so that you’re always ready to clean up messes immediately.
Clean the Floors Often
Kids spend a lot of time on the floor, whether crawling, playing, or sitting for storytime. Keeping the floors clean is really important since germs, dirt, and allergens can build up quickly.
How to Keep Floors Clean:
- Vacuum Daily: If you have carpets, vacuum every day. This will pick up crumbs, dust, and dirt and help reduce allergens.
- Mop Hard Floors: Mop hard floors with a disinfectant cleaner to keep them free of germs. In high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, you might need to mop more than once a day.
- Steam Clean Carpets: Steam clean carpets regularly to remove deep dirt and germs that a vacuum can’t get. Steam cleaning is an excellent way to sanitize carpets without using harsh chemicals.
Tip: Use Entry Mats to Trap Dirt
Placing mats at doorways can help trap dirt and debris before it gets tracked into the centre. Make sure to clean these mats regularly to keep them doing their job.
Hire Professional Childcare Cleaners
If keeping your childcare center clean feels like too much to handle on your own, you might want to consider hiring professional childcare cleaners in Brisbane. Professional cleaners know exactly how to keep a childcare centre safe and germ-free. They use the right cleaning products and techniques to ensure your space stays clean and healthy for the kids.
Why Professional Cleaners Are a Good Idea:
- Expert Cleaning: Professional cleaners know what areas need extra attention and how to disinfect toys, furniture, and surfaces properly.
- Save Time: Hiring professional cleaners allows you to focus on running your center and taking care of the kids instead of worrying about cleaning.
- Consistency: Professional childcare cleaning in Brisbane services can come on a regular schedule, so your centre is always clean and ready for the day. Regular cleaning helps prevent germs from building up and keeps everyone safe.
If you need help keeping your childcare centre clean, Commercial Clean Group offers professional childcare cleaners in Brisbane who can help. They understand the unique needs of childcare centres and can take care of all your cleaning needs.
Conclusion
Keeping your childcare centre clean is essential for the health and safety of the kids in your care. By focusing on high-touch areas, cleaning toys regularly, maintaining bathrooms and floors clean, and hiring professional cleaners, you can ensure that your childcare centre stays sparkling clean and safe for everyone.