Operating a childcare centre in London, Ontario means maintaining cleaning standards that go far beyond basic tidiness. With young children’s developing immune systems and natural tendencies to explore the world through touch and taste, a properly sanitized environment is both a regulatory requirement and a fundamental responsibility. Professional daycare cleaning services understand the unique demands of childcare environments and the critical importance of getting cleaning protocols right.
Ontario’s licensed childcare sector continues to grow, with nearly 6,000 centres now operating across the province. In London alone, thousands of families depend on licensed childcare while they work, making proper hygiene practices essential for protecting children’s health and maintaining the trust that parents place in their chosen centres.
This guide provides London daycare operators with a comprehensive overview of childcare centre cleaning requirements, best practices, and strategies for maintaining the highest standards of hygiene in their facilities.
Understanding CCEYA Cleaning Requirements for Childcare Centres in London
The Child Care and Early Years Act, 2014 (CCEYA) and Ontario Regulation 137/15 establish the legal framework governing childcare centres in Ontario. These regulations include specific requirements for maintaining clean and sanitary environments that protect children’s health and safety.
Under the CCEYA, licensed childcare centres must maintain written policies and procedures outlining the frequency and method of cleaning and disinfection. These policies must address all aspects of facility maintenance, from daily surface cleaning to periodic deep cleaning of carpets and upholstery. Ministry inspectors review these policies during licensing visits and can issue compliance orders if standards are not met. Working with professional cleaners experienced in childcare environments helps ensure consistent compliance.
The regulations also require that cleaning materials and other hazardous substances be stored out of children’s reach. This means establishing secure storage areas and ensuring that childcare centre cleaning activities do not expose children to harmful chemicals. Staff must receive proper training on the safe use of cleaning and disinfection agents.
The Difference Between Cleaning, Sanitizing, and Disinfecting
Understanding the distinction between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting is fundamental to effective childcare hygiene. These are three separate processes, each serving a different purpose in protecting children’s health.
Cleaning is the physical removal of dirt, debris, and organic matter from surfaces using soap or detergent and water. Cleaning alone removes most germs but does not kill them. However, cleaning must always come first because dirt and organic matter can prevent sanitizers and disinfectants from working effectively.
Sanitizing reduces germs on surfaces to levels considered safe by public health standards. Sanitizing is appropriate for food contact surfaces like high chair trays and items that go in children’s mouths. Sanitizers use weaker chemical solutions and shorter contact times than disinfectants.
Disinfecting kills most germs on surfaces and is required for areas with higher contamination risk, such as diaper changing tables, toilets, and surfaces contaminated with bodily fluids. Disinfectants require specific contact times to be effective, meaning the surface must remain wet with the solution for the duration specified on the product label.
Daily Childcare Centre Cleaning Schedules and Frequencies
Public Health Ontario provides detailed guidance on cleaning frequencies for childcare centres. Daily cleaning requirements vary by area and the age of children served, reflecting the different risk levels associated with various activities and developmental stages.
High-touch surfaces require daily cleaning and disinfection at minimum. These include door handles, light switches, faucets, toilet handles, handrails, and any other surfaces frequently touched by multiple people throughout the day. During periods of increased illness in the community or within the centre, cleaning frequency should increase.
Eating areas require cleaning and sanitization after each use. Tables must be cleaned before and after meals and snacks, and high chairs must be sanitized after each child uses them. Kitchen surfaces, sinks, and food preparation areas require daily attention using food-safe sanitizing solutions.
Floors should be swept and disinfected daily, with special attention to areas where children play on the floor. Carpets and area rugs require daily vacuuming and should be steam cleaned at minimum twice per year, or more frequently as needed.
Toy Cleaning and Disinfection Protocols
Toys present particular challenges in childcare settings because young children naturally explore them with their mouths and hands. Toronto Public Health guidelines specify different cleaning frequencies based on the age group served.
Toys in infant rooms must be cleaned and disinfected daily at minimum because infants frequently mouth toys. Any toy that is mouthed or contaminated by a cough, sneeze, or runny nose must be removed immediately and not handled by another child until properly cleaned and disinfected.
Toys in toddler and preschool rooms require cleaning and disinfection at minimum weekly. Toys in kindergarten and school-age rooms require monthly cleaning and disinfection at minimum. However, any visibly soiled toy should be cleaned immediately regardless of the scheduled cleaning frequency.
The recommended process for toy cleaning involves removing toys from play areas and placing them in a collection container for cleaning, washing with hot soapy water using a brush for crevices, rinsing thoroughly, soaking in appropriate disinfectant for the required contact time, rinsing again if the product label requires it, and air drying completely before returning to use.
Diaper Changing and Washroom Hygiene
Diaper changing areas present the highest risk for disease transmission in childcare settings and require rigorous cleaning protocols. Changing tables must be cleaned and disinfected after each use, without exception. The disinfectant must remain on the surface for the full contact time before the next diaper change.
Washrooms require frequent attention throughout the day. Toilets, toilet seats, and potty chairs must be cleaned and disinfected following an established schedule and whenever visibly soiled. Potty seats should be made of smooth, non-porous material that can be easily cleaned and should be stored to prevent contamination between uses.
Sinks, faucets, counters, and floors in washroom areas require daily cleaning and disinfection. Washrooms must be supplied with liquid soap, paper towels in dispensers, toilet paper, and waste receptacles. Toys and craft supplies should never be stored in washroom areas where they could become contaminated.
Sleep Area Cleaning Requirements for Childcare Centres in London
Sleep areas in childcare centres require specific attention to prevent the spread of illness. Each child should have individually labelled bedding that is not shared with other children. Cots, mats, and cribs must be kept clean, in good repair, and stored in a manner that prevents contamination.
Cot and mat covers should be cleaned weekly at minimum, or more often as needed. Blankets and personal items that are not washed on-site should be sent home weekly for laundering. Vinyl mats and cot surfaces require cleaning and disinfection weekly and whenever visibly soiled.
Storage of sleep equipment must prevent cross-contamination. Stacked cots should be stored so that sleeping surfaces do not touch, and mats should be stored in a manner that keeps sleeping surfaces clean. Proper storage practices reduce the risk of transferring germs between children’s sleeping areas.
Choosing Appropriate Cleaning Products
Selecting the right cleaning products for childcare environments requires balancing effectiveness against safety. Products used in childcare settings should have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) from Health Canada, confirming they are approved as safe and effective for their intended use. The exception is household chlorine bleach, which is an effective disinfectant even without a DIN.
Bleach diluted in water remains one of the most effective and economical disinfectants for childcare settings. However, bleach solutions must be prepared fresh daily as they lose effectiveness within 24 hours. Bleach should never be mixed with other chemicals or cleaning products, and must be stored safely away from children’s reach, heat, and light.
All cleaning products must have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) on file at the centre, as required by the Ministry of Labour. Staff should be trained on proper product use, including dilution ratios, contact times, and personal protective equipment requirements. Products should be stored in original containers or properly labelled secondary containers per WHMIS requirements.
Sensory Play and Arts and Crafts Hygiene
Play-based learning is essential to child development, but sensory materials can become contaminated with germs. Childcare centres must have written policies addressing infection prevention and control measures for sensory play activities.
Staff and children should wash hands before and after participating in sensory play or arts and crafts activities. Children should not eat or drink while engaged in these activities. Sensory materials like playdough, sand, and water should be monitored for contamination and replaced regularly.
During illness outbreaks, sensory play activities may need to be suspended until the outbreak is declared over by public health authorities. Homemade and commercial sensory materials should typically be discarded weekly to prevent bacterial growth. Containers used for sensory play require regular cleaning and disinfection.
Outbreak Response: Enhanced Childcare Centre Cleaning Protocols
When illness outbreaks occur, childcare centres must immediately enhance their cleaning and disinfection programs. The Middlesex-London Health Unit provides guidance to local centres during outbreak situations and may issue specific childcare centre cleaning recommendations based on the type of illness involved.
During outbreaks, centres should use a broad-spectrum disinfectant approved for the specific pathogens involved. All toys and high-contact surfaces require daily cleaning and disinfection rather than the standard weekly or monthly schedule. Sensory play activities should stop until public health declares the outbreak over.
If you use a cleaning company, notify them immediately about any outbreak situation. Failure to communicate outbreak status to cleaning providers may result in inappropriate disinfection levels, potentially extending the outbreak duration. Professional cleaning services experienced in childcare environments understand these enhanced protocols and can adjust their approach accordingly.
Why Children Get Sick in Daycare Settings
Understanding why illness spreads in childcare settings helps operators focus cleaning efforts where they matter most. Young children are particularly susceptible to infections because their immune systems are still developing and have not yet encountered many common viruses and bacteria.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children in their first year of daycare commonly experience 10 to 12 respiratory infections per year. This is normal and actually helps build immune system resilience over time. However, proper cleaning and hygiene practices can reduce the frequency and severity of these illnesses.
Germs spread in childcare settings through several routes: direct contact between children, contact with contaminated surfaces and toys, respiratory droplets from coughing and sneezing, and fecal-oral transmission during diaper changes. Effective cleaning programs address all these transmission routes.
Staff Training on Cleaning and Disinfection
The CCEYA requires that staff receive health and safety training that includes the safe and proper use of cleaning and disinfection agents. This training should cover product selection, dilution procedures, contact times, personal protective equipment, and safe storage practices.
Staff should understand the difference between cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting, and know which process is appropriate for different surfaces and situations. They should be able to read product labels, understand Safety Data Sheets, and respond appropriately to accidental exposures.
Regular refresher training helps maintain consistent cleaning practices across all staff members. New employees should receive thorough orientation on cleaning protocols before working independently. Documentation of training should be maintained as part of the centre’s compliance records.
Maintaining Cleaning Logs and Documentation
Cleaning and disinfection logs serve multiple purposes in childcare settings. They demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements during inspections, help ensure consistent cleaning practices, and provide documentation during outbreak investigations.
Logs should track what was cleaned, when it was cleaned, what products were used, and who performed the cleaning. Different logs may be needed for different areas or activities, such as diaper changing logs, toy cleaning logs, and general facility cleaning logs.
During outbreaks, public health authorities may request cleaning logs as part of their investigation. Having accurate, detailed records demonstrates that the centre follows appropriate protocols and can help identify any gaps in cleaning practices that may have contributed to illness spread.
Partnering with Professional Childcare Centre Cleaning Services in London
Many childcare centres partner with professional cleaning services to supplement staff cleaning efforts. After-hours childcare centre cleaning by trained professionals ensures thorough attention to floors, washrooms, and other areas that benefit from specialized equipment and techniques.
When selecting a cleaning provider for a childcare facility, look for experience with childcare-specific requirements. The provider should understand CCEYA cleaning standards, use child-safe products, and be willing to adjust protocols during outbreak situations. They should also be able to provide documentation of their cleaning activities for your records.
Professional cleaning typically complements rather than replaces staff cleaning responsibilities. Staff remain responsible for immediate cleaning needs like diaper changes, mealtime cleanup, and removing mouthed toys. Professional cleaners handle comprehensive floor cleaning, deep washroom sanitization, and other tasks that benefit from specialized equipment.
Building Parent Confidence Through Visible Hygiene Practices
Parents choosing childcare in London, Ontario increasingly consider cleanliness and hygiene practices as key factors in their decision. A visibly clean facility and clear communication about cleaning protocols help build the trust that supports strong parent-centre relationships.
Consider sharing your cleaning policies with parents during enrollment and providing updates about enhanced protocols during illness seasons or outbreak situations. When parents understand the measures you take to protect their children’s health, they become partners in maintaining a healthy environment by keeping sick children home and communicating about illness in the household.
Visible childcare centre cleaning practices also build confidence. When parents see staff wiping down surfaces, maintaining organized toy cleaning systems, and practicing good hand hygiene, they gain assurance that their children are in a well-managed environment. This visible commitment to cleanliness supports both child health and centre reputation.
Professional Childcare Centre Cleaning in London, Ontario
At MedClean, we specialize in childcare centre cleaning throughout London, Ontario and surrounding areas. Our team understands the unique requirements of CCEYA-licensed facilities and uses child-safe products that meet Public Health Ontario guidelines.
We provide comprehensive after-hours cleaning that complements your staff’s daily efforts, including floor care, washroom sanitization, and detailed attention to high-touch surfaces. Our protocols can be enhanced during outbreak situations to support your infection control measures.
Contact MedClean today to discuss how our childcare cleaning services can support your centre’s health and safety goals. Learn more about us or request a consultation to explore a cleaning program tailored to your facility’s needs.
Additional Resources
For official cleaning and disinfection schedules, refer to Public Health Ontario’s Child Care Centre Cleaning and Disinfection Schedule.
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