Resource Material HPSC

Cleaning Schedules for Childcare Facilities

Derived from guidance document:
Management of Infectious Disease in
Childcare Facilities and Other Childcare
Settings

The tables below outline the cleaning methods and frequencies required for the main areas
within a childcare facility that need cleaning. In addition, a sample cleaning schedule is
provided that can be modified to suit an individual childcare facility.

These schedules are available in Microsoft Word format so that they can be
modified for your own use. See http://www.hpsc.ie/hpsc/A-
Z/LifeStages/Childcare/Resources/

The following areas within a childcare facility require routine cleaning:

Walls, floors, windows, window-sills, ceilings, light fittings and covers, doors, including
handles, toilets, wash hand basins, cupboards, shelving, radiator and radiator covers,
refrigerator, food storage facilities, sinks, tables, including underside and legs, work and play
surfaces, chairs, plates, cups, cutlery, toys etc.

HPSC May 2012

Resource Material
Sample Cleaning Program
General Environment Cleaning Program
Area/Item
Tables/ window sills / door
and cabinet handles
High chairs/dining tables
Washable floor covering
Carpets
Small rugs
HPSC
HPSC
Method Frequency/Comments
Daily and immediately if soiled i.e. if
Clean with neutral
soiled with blood or body fluids,
detergent, warm water and
following cleaning, disinfect, rinse and
clean cloth
dry
Clean with neutral Before and after use; if soiled with blood
detergent, warm water and or body fluids, following cleaning,
disinfect, rinse and dry
clean cloth and dry with
disposable paper towels
Wash with detergent,
warm water and clean Daily and immediately if soiled e.g.
utensils spillage
Vacuum clean to remove Vacuum daily
dirt when children are not
present.
Clean with an approved Clean carpets only when children will not
carpet cleaning method be present to ensure the carpet is dry
before next use
Clean carpets at least monthly in infant
areas, at least every 3 months in other
areas or immediately when soiled
Vacuum Daily
Launder Weekly
May 2012
Resource Material HPSC

Clean with warm water and
Walls/ general purpose detergent.
Ceilings
If soiled with blood or body
fluids, following cleaning,
disinfect
Routine cleaning not required except in
areas of frequent hand contact, such as
lower wall/door frames in areas
occupied by toddlers

Waste bins Empty Daily

Clean with neutral Weekly and immediately if soiled

detergent and warm water

Mop heads should be After daily use

washed in warm water and
detergent, rinsed and air
Mops and cleaning cloths dried

Reusable cloths must be After daily use

laundered daily on a hot
wash cycle (at least 60oC) in
a washing machine and
then tumble dried

HPSC May 2012

Resource Material HPSC

Toilet Area Cleaning Program

Area/Item Method Frequency / Comments
At least daily and immediately if soiled.

Wash hand basins, taps, Clean with detergent and If soiled with blood or body fluids,
surrounding counters, soap warm water. following cleaning, disinfect, rinse and
dispensers. dry.

At least daily and immediately if soiled. If

Both sides of toilet seat, Clean with detergent and
soiled with blood or body fluids, following
toilet handles, door knobs warm water.
cleaning, disinfect, rinse and dry.
or cubicle handles.

Use toilet cleaner as per At least daily and immediately if soiled.

Toilet bowls
manufacturers instructions.

Clean with detergent and

warm water and if soiled,
disinfect with a chlorine Immediately after each use.
Potties
based disinfectant with
1000 ppm available
chlorine.

HPSC May 2012

Resource Material HPSC

Toy Cleaning Program

Item Method Frequency / Comments

Daily.
Soft toys – if Machine washed in a hot cycle according
shared. to manufacturers instructions. If soiled, take out of use
immediately.

Hard toys/items Clean with warm water and detergent,

that go into the rinsed and dried thoroughly. Alternatively, After each child’s use.
mouth or have they may be washed in a dishwasher.
been in contact
with salvia or other
body fluids.

Other hard toys Weekly or immediately if soiled.

Clean with warm water and detergent,
e.g. dolls house,
rinsed and dried thoroughly.
climbing frame.

Sheets and
pillowcases,
individual cloth Weekly or after each use if used by
Machine washed in a hot cycle according
towels (if used), different children. Take out of use
to manufacturers instructions.
combs and immediately when visibly soiled.
hairbrushes, face
cloths. (None of
these items should
be shared among
children.)

Monthly. Take out of use

Blankets and Machine wash to manufacturers
immediately if soiled and machine
sleeping bags. instructions
wash.

Weekly/Monthly according to usage

Dress-up clothes Machine wash to manufacturers or more frequently if required.
instructions

Weekly, before use by a different

Cots and cot Clean with detergent and warm water,
child, and immediately if soiled or
mattresses rinse and dry.
wet.

HPSC May 2012

Resource Material HPSC

Sample Cleaning Checklist

See below for a version of the sample checklist that is modifiable in Word.

HPSC May 2012

Resource Material HPSC

Cleaning Checklist Week starting:_____________________

Area/Item Frequency Managers

to be of Days of the week signature
cleaned cleaning

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun

Daily, after
use and
Tables
prior to food
being served

Twice
Window sills
weekly

HPSC May 2012