COVID-19 has changed everything. The world went from open and free to lockdowns and more stringent regulations. This is especially true for commercial cleaning services. According to custodial workers, there is a growing emphasis on adapting daycare cleaning procedures. This is due to parents going back to work and children going back to educational settings.
If you’re considering implementing new daycare cleaning procedures for your business, know that these changes are probably here to stay. So, it’s best to get started on changing your cleaning procedures. Here are a few ways to update your procedures to the current standard.
Where to Find Information
Before anything else, let’s discuss where to find trustworthy information on how to update your cleaning procedures. Information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Caring for Our Children (CFOC) guidelines are good sources. They are maintained by the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education. CFOC guidelines have been here since the 90s but have been recently updated to address COVID-19 in child care settings.
For even more information about daycare cleaning during COVID-19, check out the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the World Health Organization (WHO).
Updated Guidelines
Under the typical pre-pandemic routine, cleaners would come once or twice a day. Besides the usual cleaning of tables and counters, vacuuming, and the like, there would be some specialized attention to cleaning toys, crib surfaces, and beddings.
Now, with COVID-19, it’s almost the same routine, but more thorough. Cleaning schedules are much more detailed, with increased emphasis on disinfecting items. Cleaners now come three or four times a day. There are also approved disinfectants they must use that have been scientifically proven to be effective against COVID-19.
Cleaners and daycare staff have to work harder. The CDC recommends cleaning all surfaces that are touched often throughout the day.
How to Clean Toys and Other Such Objects
The procedure for cleaning toys has changed as well. While wearing gloves, someone (including your daycare professionals) must wash the object with warm water and detergent, rinse, sanitize and disinfect it, rinse again, and air dry. You could also use a mechanical dishwasher to do all of that.
If any items need cleaning that your staff doesn’t plan on cleaning themselves, these should be set aside. These items should be placed in some soapy water that’s labeled “dirty toys” or something similar, and kept out of reach from children. Books don’t need any additional cleaning. However, if you know a book is especially dirty, perhaps throw it out and get a replacement just to be safe.
Conclusion
If you need more advice or perhaps help cleaning your daycare center, check out your local commercial cleaning services. These professionals are highly trained and are up-to-date with the necessary cleaning procedures. Remember to always keep up with the changes and the CDC’s recommendations. Cleaning every establishment thoroughly is a must, but more so during these times when additional cleaning is required to be on the safe side.
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