Children are young and nosey. Curious and inquisitive, children learn about the world while climbing trees, playing tag, building forts out of blankets and chairs, and putting their fingers in everything they find. It seems like they’re constantly putting their hands in something icky and then rubbing their eyes or sticking their fingers in their mouths. It means you need a space that is child-proof not only in terms of safety features like electrical socket covers but also needs to be gunk-free.
We all realize how easily kids attract dirt and germs. And while a bit of dirt never hurts anyone, you want to ensure that your daycare is as clean as possible. After all, that’s where they spend a good chunk of their time while mom and dad are at work. Their kids’ health is one of the things that parents worry about the most, so you want to put their minds at ease by ensuring a clean environment for their kids.
Plus, a clean daycare is filled with laughter and fun. The following tips will help keep your home-based daycare spick and span.
Maintain Good Air Quality:
Most of us might not think about it, but the air we breathe inside our homes is more polluted than the air outside. It could be for various reasons. The carpets trap dust, there are cleaning chemicals in the air, and we might even have pets and their dander add to the pollution.
Even if your city is one of the lucky ones with high air quality index like the city of Lansing in Michigan, the indoor air quality varies based on the climate inside the house. So, ensuring that your daycare’s air quality is up to par is vital. If you’re in Lansing, run a quick Google search on “Commercial Cleaning Services Lansing Michigan” and give them a call. Professionals can clean your air ducts, carpets, and furniture, making the air in your daycare clean and fresh.
A Sparkly Germ-Free Floor:
What’s your daycare’s seating arrangement like? Do the kids sit on the floor to eat snacks or lunch? Do they play games on the floor? If so, you’ll want to ensure the floor is clean. Invisible to the naked eye, all sorts of germs and bacteria lurk on the floor. It could be dirt tracked in from outside, crumbs left over from snack time, or who-knows-what fell out of a diaper. If you have carpets, they’re a germ magnet.
However, don’t feel intimidated. There are ways to keep them clean. The key is to vacuum regularly – at least once a day. If you can do it twice, that’s even better. Every few days, do a deep clean with a carpet cleaner. If you don’t have one, you can always rent one. Don’t forget to clean under the furniture too. It’s easy for dust to accumulate there. Or you’ll find a treasure trove of banana peels and half-eaten crackers.
Wash Those Walls:
Walls may not seem like they need a good wash. Look at those pretty art projects the kids made! However, looking closely, you’ll notice smudges, fingerprints, grease, and ketchup stains.
To clean walls, start by removing any cobwebs with a duster or vacuum attachment. Then make a cleaning solution with one gallon of warm water and a quarter cup of white vinegar. Or you can use a half-and-half solution of water and distilled white vinegar.
Dip a sponge in the solution and start washing the walls from the top down. Be sure to rinse your sponge frequently in clean water. And don’t forget to wash the baseboards too! Suppose it’s too much work, especially after chasing the kids around all day. In that case, you can always employ a professional cleaning service to take on the responsibility of washing the space regularly.
Tackle the Bathroom:
The bathroom is a winner for the ickiest room in the house. Soiled diapers, used tissues, dirty hands – you name it, it’s probably been there. If you have more than one bathroom, that means more cleaning. You’d be surprised at the number of parents who reported that they wouldn’t send their kids to daycare with only one bathroom. They can’t handle the thought of all those kids using the same toilet!
If you only have one bathroom, here are some tips to keep it clean.
First, don’t forget to clean the toilet – inside and out – every day, and be sure to disinfect it too. A good way to do that is to put a cup of vinegar in the toilet bowl and allow it to sit for a few minutes before scrubbing.
Secondly, clean the sink every day. Wipe down the counter, faucet, and handles. Don’t forget to scrub the drain too. You can use a brush or a pipe cleaner. The floor and walls are just as essential, and you must wash them regularly too.
Garbage needs to be managed and controlled. You have to throw out the trash every day, especially clear out the ones placed inside the bathroom.
An Exterior That Says, “Come on In!”
The exterior of the house is the first thing parents see when they drop their kids off at your daycare. If it looks like the Addams Family mansion, they will be hesitant about leaving their child in your care. So, make sure the outside of your house is presentable.
A well-manicured lawn, trimmed bushes, and swept sidewalks go a long way to reassure parents. Add colorful flowers to your porch, or hang a fun wreath on the door. You also want to ensure the exterior is child-proof. There shouldn’t be any sharp edges, poisonous plants, or loose bricks.
A clean and inviting exterior says you’re a professional who takes pride in your work.
Sanitize All Toys and Stationery
How often do you rush to pull a toy out of one of the kids’ mouths? If you’re like most daycare providers, it’s probably more times than you can count. The child might have been exposed to diseases like the flu, the common cold, or chickenpox.
That’s why it’s so important to sanitize all toys and stationery. It’s simple; just wipe them down with water and vinegar. Or you can use a commercial sanitizer. Please ensure you read the label carefully for chemicals used to make the product and follow the instructions. Don’t use cleaning agents with toxic and harmful chemicals to wipe down any surface that will end up in a child’s mouth.
Don’t forget to sanitize door handles, light switches, and other surfaces that the kids touch. A quick wipe down with a disinfecting wipe will do the trick.
Conclusion:
Daycare centers are an essential part of our society. They provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to grow and learn. When it’s a home-based daycare, it can be an even more special place.
However, children can be very messy, and messy play is fun and necessary for developing children’s senses, brain development, and creativity. Food spills and paint splatters during art and craft activities are inevitable, but these accidents build up and attract dirt and germs. Cleaning them up is critical for the children’s health. You want them to remember you as the best daycare provider, and you must ensure a safe, clean, germ-free environment.
If you’re considering starting a home-based daycare or already have one, use these tips to keep the place clean. These simple things make parents feel good about bringing their kids to your daycare. It also means more business.
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