Introduction
It's a parent's worst nightmare - getting a call from your child's daycare saying that your little one is sick yet again. Stomach bugs, colds, pinkeye - it often feels like an endless cycle of germs being passed around at childcare centres. And unfortunately, the statistics back this up. According to the CDC, up to 80% of infectious diseases in childcare settings are spread by unclean hands.
Proper handwashing and sanitization procedures are critical, but what about the rest of the facilities?
The toys, tables, floors, and every other surface our children touch?
Studies have shown that cold and flu virus particles can live on hard surfaces for up to 48 hours. An unclean childcare environment puts our children at constant risk.
Why Childcare Centre Clean Matters
A clean childcare centre is absolutely essential for the health, safety, and wellbeing of the children in care. Proper cleaning and sanitization practices help prevent the spread of illness and disease, promote healthy development, and provide peace of mind for parents.
Young children are especially vulnerable to germs and infections. Their immune systems are still developing, and they have close contact with other children and frequently put toys and hands in their mouths.
A dirty childcare centre greatly increases their exposure to harmful viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants. Maintaining rigorous cleaning routines reduces the risk of outbreaks of common childhood illnesses like colds, flu, pinkeye, strep throat, and hand, foot and mouth disease. Stopping the spread of these contagious diseases keeps children healthier and reduces absences.
In addition to preventing illness, a clean facility promotes healthy development in children. Messy play and activities are important for learning, but children also need clean spaces for eating, napping, and playing.
Dirty environments can cause chronic health issues like asthma, allergies, and respiratory problems. Deep cleaning removes allergens like dust and mould that children can inhale or touch. A hygienic childcare centre allows children to explore, learn, and grow in a safe, comfortable environment.
Parents trust childcare centres to care for their children when they can't be there themselves. Knowing the facility is clean brings peace of mind that their child's wellbeing is the top priority.
Cleanliness signals professionalism, responsibility and quality care. Dirty conditions raise red flags for parents about the level of care and supervision. Demonstrating high standards of cleanliness is key for centres to earn parents' confidence.
How Dirty Can a Child Care Centre Get?
Childcare centres can accumulate a surprising amount of dirt and germs if not cleaned properly. High-touch surfaces like toys, cribs, tables, and doorknobs provide opportunities for germs to spread. Things like snot, saliva, and faecal matter from diaper changes and potty training can end up on surfaces when not wiped thoroughly.
Germ hotspots include:
- Toys that go in kids' mouths but aren't sanitised between uses.
- Changing tables that aren't wiped down after every diaper change.
- Bathrooms not cleaned frequently, where germs linger on sinks, toilets, and floors.
- Blankets, sheets, and soft toys that aren't laundered at least weekly.
- Unclean high chairs with crumbs and spills left to accumulate.
Proper handwashing is also essential - workers and children should wash hands frequently, especially before eating or handling food. Dirty hands spread germs to everything they touch.
Regular deep cleaning and sanitising is necessary to combat germs in childcare environments. Neglecting proper hygiene puts children's health at risk.
Signs of a Dirty Child Care Center
A childcare centre can appear clean at first glance but still have underlying cleanliness issues. Here are some signs that indicate a daycare may have cleanliness problems:
Clutter, Stains, and Odours
Look around the childcare centre for clutter, stains, and strange odours that could indicate cleanliness issues. Excess clutter like toys and books piled in corners can collect dust and be difficult to clean. Check soft surfaces like carpets, upholstery, and drapes for stains. Give the centre a good sniff - bad or musty odours could mean areas are not properly cleaned or sanitised.
Staff Hygiene Issues
Pay attention to the hygiene and cleanliness of staff members. Are their hands washed and nails kept clean? Do they use gloves when handling food or diapering children? Are their clothes clean or do they have food stains? Poor staff hygiene can spread germs to children.
Visible Dirt and Grime
Check corners, floors, walls, and high surfaces for visible dirt, sticky spots, and grime buildup. Areas like walls behind trash cans, corners of rooms, and toy shelves can collect dust and dirt over time. Dirt in high traffic areas can indicate that daily cleaning is not thorough enough.
Assessing Overall Cleanliness
When evaluating how clean your child's daycare or preschool is, start by looking at the big picture. What are the centre's overall cleaning habits and hygiene practices? Here are some key things to consider:
Cleaning Schedules and Routines
- How often are toys, furniture, floors, and other surfaces cleaned? Daily cleaning should be expected, with high-touch areas like doorknobs disinfected multiple times per day.
- Who is responsible for cleaning tasks? Janitorial staff should clean daily. Teachers and assistants should also pitch in to keep their own classrooms tidy.
- What's the cleaning routine when kids are present versus after hours? Some cleaning like vacuuming may happen after children leave, while surfaces are disinfected during the day.
- Are cleaning checklists used? Staff should follow consistent cleaning procedures. Checklists help ensure key tasks aren't missed.
Disinfecting Policies
- Does the centre have a disinfecting protocol? Toys and surfaces should be properly disinfected with an EPA-approved cleaner.
- How often are soft toys, dress-up clothes, and other cloth items washed? These items can harbour germs and should be laundered weekly or more.
- How does the centre handle illness outbreaks? Additional disinfecting and hand hygiene procedures may be needed to stop the spread of contagious illnesses.
Staff Training
- Does the staff know proper hand washing techniques? Proper hand washing is crucial for staff and children. It should be modelled and encouraged.
- Are staff taught disinfecting procedures? All staff should know how to properly sanitise toys, furniture, and high-touch surfaces.
- Is cleaning training provided? Janitorial staff need training on cleaning methods, chemical use, and following checklists.
By looking at the big picture of cleaning at your centre, you can spot any weak points in their health and hygiene practices. This will guide you on where to scrutinise further during an inspection.
Focus Areas to Inspect
When evaluating the cleanliness of a childcare centre, there are a few key areas you'll want to pay close attention to:
Diapering Areas
The diapering station should be cleaned and sanitised after each diaper change. Look for signs that this is happening consistently, like a posted diapering procedure, gloves and disinfectant wipes nearby, and no lingering odours. The diaper pail should be emptied frequently and not overflowing.
Food Preparation
The kitchen should be orderly, surfaces wiped down, dishes cleaned after each use, and no expired food present. Refrigerators and freezers should be kept at the proper temperature. There should be no evidence of pests. Hands should be washed before handling food.
Sleeping Areas
Sheets on cribs and mats should be changed daily or weekly per centre policy. Mats should be sanitised after each use. There should be no odours or visible dirt on bedding. Cots and cribs should be wiped down regularly. Kids should have separate bedding that is not shared.
Asking the Right Questions
When evaluating a childcare centre's cleanliness, there are key questions you'll want to ask the staff and administrators. This can give you insights that a visual inspection alone may miss. Some important questions include:
- What is your licensing and inspection history? Childcare centres should be licensed by the state and subject to regular inspections. Ask about any health and safety violations found in past inspections, as these could indicate broader cleanliness issues.
- What is your illness policy and outbreak history? centreshould track illnesses and have protocols when outbreaks occur. Ask about their policies and how often gastrointestinal or respiratory illnesses spread through the centre. Frequent outbreaks can suggest cleaning and disinfecting practices need improvement.
- What specific cleaning products do you use? Ask for details on the disinfectants, sanitizers, and cleaning agents used. Quality commercial-grade products designed for childcare settings should be used. Also ask about how surfaces and toys are cleaned and sanitised daily.
- How often are bedding and linens washed? These items should be washed at least weekly, if not more often. Ensure a schedule is followed.
- How do you handle diapering? Diapering stations and potties should be sanitised after each use. Proper hand hygiene practices for staff should also be followed.
Asking questions shows you've done your research on proper cleaning best practices. It also demonstrates to the childcare center that you value transparency and are an informed parent looking out for your child's health and safety.
Doing Your Own Inspection
As a parent, you can do your own basic inspection of your child's daycare facility to get a sense of the cleanliness. Here are some tips:
When to Inspect
The best times to do an inspection are at the beginning of the day when children first arrive and in the late afternoon before they leave. This allows you to see the condition of the space before and after a full day of use.
Areas to Check Thoroughly
- Floors - Check for debris, sticky spots, and stains. Floors should be swept and mopped daily.
- Tables and chairs - These high touch surfaces should be sanitised between uses. Look for food, grime, and craft supply residue.
- Bathrooms - Pay attention to toilets, sinks, counters, and flooring. Bathrooms should be disinfected frequently.
- Nap area - Examine cots and bedding for signs of dirt, stains, or damage. Mats should be sanitised daily.
- Kitchen - Look for expired food, leaks, drips, and buildup in the fridge, on counters, and around appliances.
- Outdoor play areas - Ensure play structures, fences, and ground covering are clean and hazard-free.
What to Look For ?
Signs that cleaning is subpar include dust, crumbs, clutter, sticky spots, grime, smears, odours, and garbage. Also note if soap or paper product dispensers are empty. Sanitising supplies like disinfectant wipes should be visible.
Seeking Outside Evaluation
As a parent, you want to be sure that your child's daycare and preschool meet high standards for cleanliness and sanitation. While doing your own inspection is helpful, you may want an objective third-party assessment. There are a few options for getting an expert evaluation of your child's care facility.
Professional Inspection Services
You can hire a professional inspection service to do an audit of the childcare centre. These services employ inspectors specifically trained to evaluate childcare facilities. They will do a comprehensive inspection of all areas and identify any deficiencies in cleanliness or areas needing improvement. A professional inspection will be much more thorough than what a parent can conduct on their own.
Licensing Authority Assessments
In most areas, childcare centres must be licensed by a state or local authority. Part of the licensing process involves inspections and oversight. Licensing inspectors will evaluate if the facility meets codes and regulations, including for cleanliness. You can request copies of recent licensing inspection reports to see if any issues were identified. This information is public record.
Third-Party Cleanliness Audits
Some third-party organisations, such as the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation, offer formal accreditation for child care centres. The accreditation process examines many quality indicators, including health and cleanliness standards. Facilities have to pass rigorous criteria to achieve accreditation. Look for childcare centres that have attained third-party accreditation as an assurance their cleaning protocols meet high benchmarks.
Relying on outside evaluations from professionals and licensing authorities will give you assurance about the cleanliness levels in your child's childcare environment. These expert assessments provide an unbiased perspective to complement your own inspection.
Conclusion
Keeping your child's daycare or preschool clean should be a top priority for any parent. A dirty childcare environment can lead to the spread of illness and disease among young children with developing immune systems. It can also indicate a lack of proper hygiene practices by staff.
While childcare centres are responsible for maintaining cleanliness, you as a parent can also take steps to evaluate their efforts. Conduct periodic walkthroughs and inspections, looking for problem areas like bathrooms, kitchens, diapering stations, and play areas. Ask questions about cleaning routines and request to see the centre's health inspection reports. Consider hiring an outside company to do an evaluation if you have ongoing concerns.
Most importantly, trust your instincts. If something seems dirty or unkempt, speak up. Keeping your child safe and healthy in childcare depends on everyone working together to maintain high standards of cleanliness.
Don't hesitate to push for improvements if you spot issues. With persistence and proper cleaning protocols, your child's centre can provide a healthy environment for growth and learning.
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