Why Childcare Cleaning Is Different

A daycare is not simply a smaller office.

Children interact with their surroundings differently than adults do. Toys go from hands to mouths. Children spend time sitting and playing on floors. Tables are used for meals, crafts, and activities. Bathroom areas can see constant use.

That means a childcare cleaning routine needs to account for how children actually use the space.

It also means that cleaning products should be selected carefully.

When possible, facilities can look for products with recognized environmental certifications rather than relying solely on terms such as “natural,” “green,” or “eco-friendly.”

For example, the EPA’s Safer Choice program evaluates product ingredients against specific human health and environmental criteria and also considers factors such as performance and packaging.

What Should Be Cleaned Every Day at a Daycare?

A daily cleaning routine should focus on the areas that experience the most use.

Classrooms and Activity Areas

Classrooms can quickly accumulate dirt, crumbs, craft materials, and fingerprints.

At the end of the day, focus on:

• Floors
• Tables and activity surfaces
• Frequently touched surfaces
• Door handles
• Light switches
• Chairs
• Shelving within children’s reach
• Activity areas
• Visible spills and messes

Anything contaminated with bodily fluids or other potentially infectious material should be handled according to the facility’s established health and safety procedures.

Toys and Play Equipment

Toys can be among the most frequently handled objects in a childcare facility.

Establish a system for regularly cleaning and sanitizing toys based on their material and how they are used.

Particularly important are toys that:

• Are mouthed
• Are shared between children
• Are handled frequently
• Come into contact with food
• Become visibly dirty

Soft toys may require different care than plastic or hard-surface toys.

Rather than using one cleaning method for everything, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and your childcare facility’s applicable cleaning and sanitation requirements.

Daily Floor Cleaning Matters

Children spend a significant amount of time close to the floor.

They crawl, sit, play, build, read, and move around on it.

That makes floors one of the most important areas in a childcare cleaning routine.

Daily maintenance may include:

• Vacuuming carpet
• Sweeping hard floors
• Mopping appropriate surfaces
• Addressing spills immediately
• Cleaning around tables and eating areas
• Paying extra attention to entrances

The type of floor matters, too.

Hard flooring, carpet, rubber play surfaces, and specialty flooring may each require different cleaning methods.

Using the appropriate product and amount for the surface can help avoid unnecessary chemical and product use.

Don’t Forget the Eating Areas

Meal and snack areas deserve their own cleaning routine.

After meals and snacks, clean appropriate tables and eating surfaces according to the facility’s established procedures.

Pay attention to:

• Tables
• High chairs
• Booster seats
• Floors underneath tables
• Food preparation areas
• Handles and frequently touched surfaces
• Trash and recycling areas

Food residue should not be allowed to accumulate.

A regular routine is much easier than trying to tackle significant buildup later.

Daily Bathroom Cleaning

Childcare bathrooms can see considerably more use than the bathroom in a typical office.

Daily attention should include the appropriate cleaning and disinfection of:

• Toilets
• Sinks
• Faucets
• Countertops
• Door handles
• Changing areas
• Floors
• Other high-touch surfaces

Childcare facilities should follow applicable regulations and health guidance regarding cleaning and disinfection.

Cleaning products should also be stored securely and away from children’s access.

Nap Areas Need Attention, Too

Nap rooms and sleeping areas can be easy to overlook because they may appear relatively quiet.

But bedding, mats, cribs, and other surfaces still need regular care.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the facility’s policies for:

• Sheets
• Blankets
• Nap mats
• Cribs
• Cots
• Pillows, where permitted
• Other sleeping equipment

Anything visibly soiled should be addressed promptly.

For shared sleeping equipment, establish a consistent cleaning routine between users as appropriate.

Daily High-Touch Cleaning

Some surfaces may be touched hundreds of times throughout a day.

Depending on the facility, this can include:

• Door handles
• Cabinet handles
• Light switches
• Faucet handles
• Railings
• Shared equipment
• Frequently used tables

A childcare facility’s cleaning plan should identify the high-touch surfaces specific to its building rather than relying on a generic checklist.

What About Eco-Friendly Products?

Being environmentally conscious does not mean using the same homemade solution on every surface.

In a childcare environment, effectiveness and proper use matter.

When selecting cleaning products, consider looking for recognized certifications such as EPA Safer Choice. The program evaluates ingredients and requires certified products to meet performance standards as well as health and environmental criteria.

Also consider:

• Using only the recommended amount
• Following dilution instructions
• Avoiding unnecessary fragrance
• Choosing reusable cleaning materials where practical
• Selecting products appropriate for the specific surface
• Keeping products secured away from children

And remember: cleaning and disinfecting are not necessarily the same thing.

A facility should use disinfectants when required by its cleaning protocols and applicable health regulations, rather than assuming that every surface needs to be disinfected constantly.

What Should Be Done as Long-Term Daycare Maintenance?

Daily cleaning keeps the facility maintained.

Periodic deep cleaning addresses the areas that do not need attention every single day.

Think of it as the difference between maintenance and reset.

Carpets

Carpet can accumulate dust, dirt, food debris, and other material over time.

Periodic professional carpet cleaning can help maintain heavily used classroom and play areas.

Pay particular attention to:

• Playrooms
• Hallways
• Reading areas
• Entryways
• Nap rooms

A professional cleaning schedule can be adjusted based on traffic and the facility’s needs.

Upholstered Furniture

Couches, soft seating, cushions, and other upholstered furniture can gradually accumulate dirt and odors.

Periodically inspect and professionally clean appropriate upholstery.

Replace damaged or difficult-to-clean items when necessary.

Windows and Window Areas

Windows do not necessarily need to be cleaned every day, but they should not be forgotten.

Periodic maintenance can address:

• Interior glass
• Window sills
• Frames
• Tracks
• Blinds
• Screens

Clean windows can also make classrooms feel brighter and more welcoming.

Vents and Air Returns

Dust can accumulate around vents and air returns.

Include these areas in the facility’s long-term cleaning schedule and follow any HVAC manufacturer’s or facility maintenance recommendations.

Cleaning around vents is not a substitute for professional HVAC maintenance.

Walls and Baseboards

Children are hard on walls.

Fingerprints, crayon marks, food, and general scuffing can accumulate in classrooms and hallways.

Periodically inspect:

• Walls
• Baseboards
• Doors
• Door frames
• Corners
• Areas around light switches

Address marks using products appropriate for the painted or finished surface.

Hard-to-Reach Areas

Every facility has them.

The space underneath furniture.

The tops of cabinets.

Behind equipment.

Corners that do not get attention during daily cleaning.

These areas should be incorporated into a periodic deep-cleaning schedule.

A Simple Daycare Cleaning Schedule

A childcare facility can think about its cleaning routine in three levels.

Throughout the Day

Address messes and spills as they happen.

Clean or remove visibly soiled items.

Maintain bathrooms and eating areas as needed.

Every Day

Complete the facility’s regular end-of-day cleaning routine.

Clean classrooms, floors, bathrooms, eating areas, high-touch surfaces, and other areas identified by the facility’s cleaning plan.

Weekly, Monthly, or Seasonally

Schedule deeper maintenance based on how quickly different areas accumulate dirt.

This may include carpet, upholstery, windows, walls, baseboards, vents, storage areas, and other less frequently cleaned surfaces.

The exact schedule should be based on the facility’s use, applicable regulations, manufacturer instructions, and cleaning needs.

Organization Makes Daycare Cleaning Easier

Cleaning and organization go together in a childcare environment.

When toys, supplies, art materials, books, and equipment have designated places, staff can quickly return the room to order.

That makes it easier to clean floors and surfaces.

Consider organizing classrooms so that:

• Toys are grouped by type
• Damaged toys have a designated area for removal
• Cleaning supplies are securely stored away from children
• Art supplies have designated storage
• Extra linens are organized
• Frequently cleaned items are easy to access
• Staff know where supplies belong

An organized classroom is not just easier on the eyes.

It is easier to clean.

Professional Deep Cleaning for Childcare Facilities

A childcare center’s staff has plenty to do without spending every week tackling major cleaning projects.

Professional cleaning can supplement the daily routine by handling larger, periodic cleaning needs.

Eco Clean Systems can provide professional cleaning services for facilities that need help maintaining a clean and welcoming environment.

A professional cleaning schedule can be customized around the facility’s hours, traffic, rooms, and long-term maintenance needs.

The goal is not to replace the daycare’s daily cleaning procedures.

It is to support them.

A Cleaner Childcare Environment Starts With Consistency

The most effective daycare cleaning plan is not necessarily the one with the longest checklist.

It is the one that is consistent.

Clean messes when they happen.

Maintain high-use areas every day.

Follow appropriate sanitation and disinfection procedures.

Use cleaning products thoughtfully.

Deep clean the areas that do not need daily attention.

And periodically step back to evaluate the entire facility.

An eco-conscious approach can be part of that process without sacrificing the thoroughness a childcare environment requires.

For professional childcare and commercial cleaning services, [contact Eco Clean Systems] to discuss a cleaning and maintenance schedule designed around your facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a daycare be cleaned?

Daycare facilities need cleaning throughout the day as needed, along with a regular daily cleaning routine. Deeper cleaning and maintenance should be scheduled according to the facility’s use, applicable regulations, and the condition of different areas.

What should be cleaned every day in a daycare?

Daily cleaning generally focuses on high-use and high-touch areas, classrooms, floors, bathrooms, eating areas, toys, and other surfaces identified in the facility’s cleaning plan.

Is eco-friendly cleaning safe for childcare centers?

Environmentally conscious products can be used in childcare settings when they are appropriate for the surface and task and are used according to their directions. Look for credible certifications and follow applicable childcare cleaning requirements.

What is the difference between cleaning and disinfecting?

Cleaning removes dirt and debris. Disinfecting uses a product specifically intended to kill certain germs on a surface. Childcare facilities should follow applicable guidance for when disinfection is necessary.

How often should daycare carpets be professionally cleaned?

It depends on traffic, spills, the type of carpet, and the facility’s needs. High-traffic playrooms and classrooms may require more frequent professional cleaning than lightly used areas.

Can professional cleaners handle daycare deep cleaning?

Yes. A professional cleaning company can supplement a facility’s daily routine with periodic deep cleaning and maintenance of areas such as carpets, floors, upholstery, windows, baseboards, and other surfaces.