Daily cleaning tasks

At the end of each day, certain cleaning duties need to be completed.

Benches, tables, chairs and highchairs

Cleaning benches, tables, chairs and highchairs will happen often during the day, especially after meal times and activity times.

However, at the end of the day it is a good idea to check that these items are clean ready for the morning. When you are cleaning benches, tables and highchairs, the surface area on top and underneath should be cleaned. Stack chairs rather than placing them on table tops when you clean the floor.

As well as regular cleaning, taking tables, chairs, benches and highchairs outside occasionally for a good scrub is a good idea. The children can help you with this job.

Toys

The washing of mouthed toys needs to be ongoing. When a toy has been mouthed and discarded, it needs to be washed in hot soapy water. At the end of each day, all toys need to be washed and then wiped wtih disinfectant or washed in the dishwasher. Washing the toys helps to reduce the risk of cross-infection.

Floors

Sweeping the floor after each meal and specifically when there is something to be swept up and at the end of each day - eg, sand, paper, food scraps.

Mats

Mats, like the floors, should be vacuumed when necessary during the day when there has been a spill (eg sand), and then again at the end of the day.

Bins

Bins containing bodily excretions and bins containing food scraps must be covered at all times. All bins to be emptied at the end of each day and wiped clean when necessary.

Potties and toilets

Potties need to be washed after each individual use. Toilets need cleaning in the middle and at the end of the day.

In addition, the change area should be cleaned after each nappy change.

Linen, blankets and sleeping mats

Each child is allocated their own set of bed linen, blankets and a sleeping mat. These are to be stored separately for each child.

Bed linen must be washed at least once a week or immediately if soiled. Sleep mats or cot mattresses need to be disinfected after each use.

Cloths

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Different cloths should be used for each duty. For example, pink cloths might be used for cleaning tables, and green cloths for cleaning floors. This helps to stop the spread of germs and bacteria from one surface to another. Your child care service will have their own procedure to follow.