Childcare settings are a great place for young Australians to learn the fundamentals of socialising while having fun with their friends. It is a place where many kids develop valuable life skills, including motor skills, toilet training and speech skills. Unfortunately, however, as kids are susceptible to getting sick, it is also an environment that can be highly infectious. This is especially true if stations, surfaces and toys are not cleaned and sanitised regularly.
Though some environments, like hospitality businesses, can clean their surfaces frequently using the industry-recommended cleaning supplies, this can be much harder for childcare businesses. This is especially true during business hours when kids are playing. Mostly, this is because children can get their hands on cleaning supplies and chemicals, some of which are dangerous to their skin and health.
Although we don’t manufacture cleaning chemicals and solutions, the team has considered the industry-specific needs of childcare providers. For this reason, we have a range of tools available to ensure facilities can optimise their cleanliness while maintaining their duty of care.
The following blog dives into this further.
Use HYGEN Microfibre to wipe childcare surfaces quickly and efficiently
After eating meals, playing or using the bathroom, surfaces in childcare settings may become soiled. Though scheduled cleaners will provide a detailed clean at the end of each day, childcare providers must remove any pathogens from surfaces as quickly as possible. Though these are not visible, they are most often transferred through touch, sneezing, coughing or conversation.
While children play outside, childcare providers can take the time to clean surfaces. Childcare educators must pay extra attention to toys, tables or chairs as these are high touchpoints. Using an HYGEN microfibre cloth is a proven solution as it can pick up 99.9% of pathogens with a simple wipe. Just be sure to use a suitable child-safe cleaning solution with the microfibre product to maximise cleanliness and sanitisation. If children were sitting on the floor during playtime, childcare staff can also use HYGEN Microfibre Mops to quickly remove bacteria.
In the event of an emergency spillage, spill mop pads are convenient, even while children are still inside the premises. The team at Rubbermaid Commercial products recommends that these cloths are always attended to and kept on the person to prevent children from getting a hold of them.
The Rubbermaid team also provides product training to ensure all childcare providers and cleaners utilise these cloths to their best potential. 
Keep waste, soiled cleaning supplies, toys and resources covered and out of reach
Unfortunately, no matter how many educators are on site at once, not all children can be minded every second of the day. Should rubbish bins or waste bins be within reach, kids may find their way into these, which could expose them to infectious bacteria. This is particularly true if food scraps or soiled materials are in these bins, as they likely carry harmful germs.
For this reason, it is ideal that all soiled waste is disposed of in the appropriate bins and stored behind child locks. The Rubbermaid Slim Jim Bins are the ideal size for storing in cupboards. They also have lids, which act as an extra level of protection, should a child find their way into cupboards.
Having multiple bins around the site allows childcare providers to discard rubbish quickly, especially if it poses a risk to child safety. Purchasing bins in several colours can also allow childcare staff to organise soiled materials effectively. For example, waste which needs to be discarded can go into one bin, and soiled materials, such as dirty toys, can go into another. Doing so will allow staff to keep potentially harmful materials away from children in their care. They can then later send these bins to the appropriate cleaning, waste or recycling services.
Prioritise safety in childcare facilities at all time
Spills are common in childcare settings. According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, this includes spills from food and drink. But, it also includes spills caused by bodily fluids. The latter, if left unclean, can propose a large health risk to other students.
As mentioned above, the HYGEN Microfibre Mop range is a suitable solution for cleaning spills or soiled floor surfaces. Should these spills be caused by human waste, the Rubbermaid team highly recommends disposable mop heads to ensure all harmful bacteria and pathogens are discarded appropriately.
When cleaning these spills, it’s essential to clear out the area to prevent infecting other students. Childcare providers must also use the appropriate safety signs to show children to take care after cleaning has taken place. Children should be reminded about the meaning of safety signs every few weeks to ensure they act appropriately in a potentially unsafe environment. Where possible, keeping children away from the area until it is cleaned and dried is always the best solution.
Keeping childcare centres clean and infection free
The team at Rubbermaid Commercial Products are passionate about developing the most innovative infection control and cleaning tools. By doing so, they have created an industry-leading range, which can benefit businesses from various disciplines, including childcare. If you are interested in learning more about achieving a higher level of cleanliness, you can contact the team at any time.
