While it is impossible to prevent the spread of infection, childcare centres can take steps to minimise it. The first thing any childcare centre should do is engage an external cleaning company for as many days a week as possible. When setting budgets, priority should be given to cleaning. Having an external professional cleaning company can greatly assist in preventing dirt and dust build up, which can harbour microorganisms which cause infection in addition to keeping cobwebs out and keeping the main surfaces that children and adults come into contact with frequently, being floors and surfaces, well sanitised.
Having an external cleaner to clean your childcare centre means that they will follow a strict cleaning schedule to ensure all areas of your centre are cleaned regularly. If your budget is tight, then as a minimum, have your cleaners do all floors, bathrooms and surfaces ensuring each of these are cleaned and sanitised. In addition to this, you should schedule an annual strip and seal of all vinyl floors and steam cleaning all carpets twice yearly at the least.
Other steps that childcare centre staff can take to prevent the spread of infection are:
- Empty bins regularly throughout the day and replenish liners
- Clean and disinfect surfaces, especially change tables and food preparation and eating surfaces. Anti bacterial wipes are ideal for this so you should keep a good stock of these, even see if your cleaning company can supply them
- Sweep hard floors and mop with a hospital grade disinfectant.
- Sanitise hands regularly throughout the day and encourage the children and adults to do the same. Ensure there are plenty of hand sanitiser stations throughout the centre and at reception and ensure they are regularly replenished
- Place anti bacterial wipe stations in key locations throughout the centre and ensure they are replenished – this could be something you get your cleaner to do also.
External Cleaners vs. In House Keeping cleaning in house can ultimately lead to an oversight of details such as dusting horizontal surfaces, build up of dirt and dust in corners, under mats, behind doors, cobwebs in corners etc. Furthermore, most childcare centres have a lot of vinyl floors which require special maintenance such as regular machine polishing/buffing, strip and sealing and special chemicals to maintain them for longevity. You want your vinyl floors to look their best at all times so it is important to have a professional cleaner who knows how to do this.
If you are currently doing your own cleaning or you have an external cleaner, keep in mind that if disinfectant is the only chemical that is being used on your vinyl floors, then it won’t be long before they start looking dirty and you will not be able to get them clean. Over time, the disinfectant will build up and react with the special seal on the floor and this will result in a “dirty and stained” appearance that can only be removed by strip and sealing. If you do a strip and seal but continue to use only disinfectant than you will need to strip and seal more often which will cost you more in the ling run. If you want longevity out of your vinyl floors and want to save money, then engaging a professional cleaner to clean as many days a week as possible and include in their schedule a routine to maintain the vinyl floors, is likely the best solution for you.
Visit Cleaning Edge Solutions for more childcare cleaning tips: http://cleaningedge.com.au/child-care-centre-cleaning.html