Daycares are where imaginations grow, creativity flourishes, and where little ones learn to socialize. According to Zippia, 58% of working parents depend on daycare facilities to provide care for their children while they work. This statistic is especially true for single-parent households and families with two working parents.
This increased demand for in-home daycare providers means more work and responsibility. Not only are you responsible for the safety and well-being of the children in your care, but you’re also responsible for keeping your daycare clean and organized. If your notion of cleanliness is sorting toys in respective baskets, you’re in for a rude awakening.
So if you have opened up a daycare in your home, here are some things you must do to keep it clean:
Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
You might think you can handle all the cleaning yourself, and that makes sense if it’s only basic mopping and wiping. But as your daycare grows, so will the number of toys, clothes, food, and art supplies. Before you know it, your place will be overrun with germs and dirt.
Plus, there are hideous things like lice and bedbugs that you don’t want anywhere near your daycare. A professional cleaning service will clean all the nooks and crannies of your daycare, leaving it sparkling clean and germ-free. You can look for a professional cleaning service near you online by typing the required service with the city’s name. For instance, “Commercial Cleaning Services Vancouver British Columbia” will give you a list of all the commercial cleaning services in Vancouver.
Make a Cleaning Schedule and Follow It
What’s your current cleaning schedule? You do have one, right? If not, then it’s time to sit down and make one.
Cleaning schedules are essential for two reasons – they help you keep track of what needs to be cleaned and when, and they help you establish a routine. Once you have a routine down, cleaning will become second nature, taking up less time than it does now.
Here’s an example of a cleaning schedule for an in-home daycare:
• Monday – clean the bathrooms
• Tuesday – vacuum and mop all floors
• Wednesday – dust surfaces
• Thursday – clean the windows
• Friday – wash bedding and towels
• Saturday – deep clean the kitchen
• Sunday – rest!
You can adjust this schedule to better suit your needs, but make sure you stick to it. Consistency is key!
Pay Special Attention to Bathrooms
Bathrooms can swiftly make their way to the top of the “disgusting places” list if they’re not cleaned properly and regularly.
Toilets, in particular, need to be given extra attention because let’s face it – they’re full of germs. Make sure you scrub toilets with disinfectant at least once daily, and more if necessary. Wipe down all surfaces, including the sink, faucets, and countertops. If you have a bathtub, make sure to clean that as well. You must only use child-friendly and non-toxic cleaning supplies. Also, don’t forget to empty the trash cans regularly. Trust us; the overflowing diapers will not be a pleasant sight.
Don’t forget to stock up on extra toilet paper, hand soap, and paper towels.
Sanitize the Toys
We all know kids love putting everything in their mouths, which is why it’s so important to sanitize their toys. According to the CDC, toys are often contaminated with germs that can cause respiratory infections, diarrhea, and skin and eye infections.
That’s why it’s essential to sanitize all the toys in your daycare, especially those used by multiple children. You can place them in the dishwasher (if they’re dishwasher-safe) or soak them in a bleach solution.
Also, please throw away all the used play dough, and make fresh batches as required. You must also check the ball pit regularly for any half-chewed gum or other grossness.
Maintain Your Indoor Air Quality
Research shows that indoor air quality can be more severely polluted than outdoor air—approximately five times more.
So, what can you do to improve the air quality in your daycare? For starters, you can vacuum regularly and use a HEPA air filter to trap airborne particles. You should also avoid using strong commercial cleaning products, as these fumes can be harmful. Instead, opt for natural cleaning solutions. And when professional visits for a deep clean, request them to look at your air ducts and vents.
Conclusion
A lot is going on behind the scenes of a daycare. From planning daily tasks to prepping meals to caring for the children, it’s a challenging job. But none of these should push cleaning to the back.
A clean and well-maintained daycare is a happy daycare, so use this checklist as a guide to help you keep your space sparkly and safe. Your children (and their parents) will thank you for it! And, who knows, they might bring more business by recommending you to their friends.
