Is Your Daycare Facility As Clean As it Should Be?

Ensuring that your daycare facility is a safe and clean environment is essential. And this isn’t just about reducing germs around kids – it’s also important for the caregivers, parents, and anyone else who spends time in the facility.

So, in this article, we’re going to take the guesswork out of maintaining a daycare.

Let’s dive in.

Cleaning and Disinfecting Protocols

Generally, germs spread through actions such as sneezing, coughing, or touching your face with contaminated hands. That’s why regular disinfection of surfaces and hand washing is so important. These steps are particularly important in a daycare since children touch dirty surfaces (such as the floor) more often than adults do.

Areas That Need Particular Attention in a Daycare Facility

When determining what the cleaning priorities in your facility are, think about areas people touch or use a lot.

These include:

• Door handles
• Buttons of all kinds (think elevator buttons, microwave buttons, etc.)
• Light switches
• Trashcan lids
• Faucets and soap dispensers
• Toilets

Cleaning Supplies To Avoid Using in Daycare Facilities

Many facilities use cleaners such as bleach for regular maintenance. But did you know that bleach can be toxic to use around people? This is especially concerning since children can be even more affected by toxins than adults.

Need a few more good reasons to avoid bleach? It takes a toll on the environment, and its cleaning efficiency disappears within hours.

Another common cleaning staple to avoid is a mop and bucket. This combo is not particularly effective and offers an ideal environment for mold to grow. Like bleach, this is also a concern since many children have mold allergies or sensitivities.

But what can you use instead? Here are some alternatives to bleach and the mop and bucket that can keep your facility much cleaner and greener.

How to Clean Different Types of Surfaces

Surfaces differ in what kind of maintenance they need to stay clean and in the best shape. As you can expect, surfaces like rugs and couches will need different care than doorknobs, so plan accordingly. For spot treatment of soft surfaces, you can use a mild soap, such as Castile soap, to lift stains. For larger areas, laundering slipcovers with white vinegar and vaccuming rugs can make a big difference without exposing children or adults to toxins.

If your daycare facility has toys and books, these will also need to be disinfected on a regular basis. Depending on what they’re made of, these can either be laundered or simply wiped down. Try reducing the number of unnecessary items to make deep cleaning easier. In some cases, renting out a commercial space can give you more room until the cleaning is finished.

Is It Time to Call in the Pros?

Having the right team in place to keep your daycare facility clean is important for several reasons. First of all, failing to keep up with cleaning allows germs to spread that can end up making people sick. During flu season, especially, people are more likely to feel under the weather, so making sure surfaces stay clean can help prevent sick days.

Secondly, remember that caregivers and other staff are not trained to clean facilities. Having professionals handle the cleaning – whether they’re in-house or independent – is vital. But what are the differences of each?

Let’s examine them below.

Independent Cleaning Companies Vs. In-House Cleaners

In-House Cleaning

If you go the in-house cleaning route, your facility will have its own cleaning staff to maintain the premises. With this type of cleaning system, you get more flexibility. This makes it a convenient solution for facilities like daycare centers.

Another benefit of having a cleaning team on staff is that you get to build work relationships with employees over time. This helps increase company loyalty. Also, in-house employees are usually more familiar with facility buildings than outsourced workers who handle multiple clients.

Outsourcing Professional Cleaning

Now let’s look at the benefits of outsourcing. The main advantage of hiring out instead of having in-house cleaners is that it’s less expensive. This is because having cleaning staff means your facility will be responsible for paying employee benefits, employment taxes, and all other expenses related to having salaried employees.

On the other hand, if you choose to outsource, the cleaning company will cover these expenses themselves. They will also cover the cost of all necessary equipment and employee training.

Nevertheless, outsourcing means you won’t have as much control over things like who works in your facility and the training they receive.

Ultimately, deciding whether to outsource or keep a cleaning team on staff comes down to your facility’s needs and wants.

If you’re looking to save money and be less responsible for cleaning operations, outsourcing might be your best bet. But if you don’t mind paying extra for consistent help and want more control over who cleans your facility, having in-house staff is probably a better option.

Bottom line

To make sure your facility is as clean as it should be, follow these steps:

• Make sure your cleaning team uses non-toxic cleaning supplies on a regular basis
• Concentrate on frequently-touched surfaces
• Encourage employees to keep their environment neat, but leave the cleaning to the pros
• Determine what your facility’s needs and preferences are and hire or outsource accordingly

If you’d like to learn more about outsourcing and whether it’s right for your facility, contact System4 Facility Services Management today.