Childcare facilities in Melbourne face unique cleaning challenges — young children put everything in their mouths, share toys constantly, and are more vulnerable to infection. Here’s how to keep your centre clean, safe, and compliant.
Recommended Cleaning Products and Equipment
Childcare cleaning requires products that are effective against pathogens but safe for young children:
- Hospital-grade disinfectants: TGA-listed products effective against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Check that they’re approved for childcare settings
- Low-toxicity products: Avoid harsh chemicals where possible. Children are closer to the floor and touch cleaned surfaces constantly. Look for products with low VOC ratings
- Fragrance-free options: Strong scents can trigger asthma and allergies in young children
- Colour-coded microfibre cloths: Prevents cross-contamination between areas — one colour for bathrooms, another for kitchens, another for play areas
- HEPA-filter vacuums: Trap fine particles and allergens rather than recirculating them into the air
- Steam cleaners: Chemical-free sanitisation for surfaces, toys, and soft furnishings. Effective and safe for environments where children crawl and play on the floor
- Spray bottles with dilution markers: Ensures correct product concentration. Over-dilution is ineffective; under-dilution is a chemical hazard
Store all cleaning products in locked cupboards, out of children’s reach, as required by the National Quality Framework.
Daily Cleaning Routines for Childcare Facilities
Throughout the day:
- Wipe high-touch surfaces every 2 hours — door handles, light switches, taps, handrails
- Clean and sanitise food preparation areas before and after each meal/snack
- Sanitise nappy change stations after every use
- Spot-clean spills, food, and bodily fluids immediately
- Empty nappy bins regularly (at least before each nap time and end of day)
End of day:
- Vacuum all carpeted areas and mop hard floors
- Clean and sanitise all bathrooms and nappy change areas
- Wipe down all tables, chairs, and benchtops
- Sanitise toys that were used that day (rotate toys in and out of use)
- Clean kitchen and food preparation areas thoroughly
- Empty all bins and replace liners
- Wipe down cots, sleep mats, and rest area surfaces
Deep Cleaning and Sanitisation Procedures
Beyond daily cleaning, schedule regular deep cleans:
Weekly:
- Deep clean bathrooms including grout, behind toilets, and under sinks
- Wash all soft toys, cushions, and dress-up clothes
- Clean inside cupboards and storage areas
- Wipe light fixtures and ceiling fans
Monthly:
- Professional carpet cleaning in high-traffic areas
- Deep clean kitchen appliances — oven, fridge, microwave, dishwasher
- Clean air conditioning filters and vents
- Wash curtains and blinds
- Sanitise outdoor play equipment
Quarterly/annually:
- Full carpet and upholstery cleaning across the facility
- Window cleaning (internal and external)
- Deep clean sandpits (replace sand if needed)
- Pest inspection and treatment
Strategies for Maintaining a Clean and Safe Environment
- Cleaning schedules on display: Visible checklists in each room track what’s been done and when. This ensures accountability and helps during quality assessments
- Hand hygiene stations: Soap and paper towels at child-accessible sinks. Hand sanitiser at room entries for staff and parents
- Illness protocols: Clear policies for excluding sick children, increased cleaning during outbreaks, and notification to parents
- Ventilation: Open windows when weather permits. Maintain HVAC systems to ensure good air circulation
- Outdoor areas: Regular maintenance of sandpits, climbing equipment, and ground surfaces. Remove leaf litter, animal droppings, and debris daily
- Toy rotation: Rotate toys between rooms and into storage. This allows thorough cleaning and reduces germ sharing
Addressing Specific Cleaning Challenges in Childcare Facilities
- Bodily fluid cleanup: Vomit, urine, blood, and faeces require immediate attention with PPE (gloves, apron), absorbent material, and hospital-grade disinfectant. Staff should be trained in the specific protocol
- Gastro outbreaks: Increase cleaning frequency, focus on high-touch surfaces, use bleach-based disinfectant (effective against norovirus), and deep clean affected rooms
- Head lice: Wash affected dress-up clothes, hats, and bedding in hot water. Vacuum soft furnishings. Notify parents immediately
- Sandpit hygiene: Cover sandpits when not in use. Rake and inspect daily for animal faeces, sharp objects, and debris. Replace sand every 1-2 years
- Art and craft areas: Paint, glue, and glitter get everywhere. Protect surfaces with washable covers. Clean immediately after activities before they dry and become harder to remove
Best Practices for Involving Staff and Educating Parents on Cleaning Protocols
Staff:
- Include cleaning responsibilities in position descriptions and induction training
- Train on correct product use, dilution rates, contact times, and PPE
- Make cleaning schedules and checklists part of the daily routine, not an afterthought
- Recognise and reinforce good hygiene practice
Parents:
- Share your cleaning policies during enrolment. Transparency builds confidence
- Display cleaning schedules where parents can see them at pickup and dropoff
- Communicate clearly during illness outbreaks — what you’re doing and what they should watch for at home
- Encourage hand hygiene at home to reinforce what children learn at the centre
For Melbourne childcare operators, professional cleaning support is worth considering — either a dedicated cleaning staff member or a contracted cleaning company with childcare experience. The National Quality Standard assesses cleanliness directly, and parents notice it immediately.
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