When it comes to infant school cleaning, the safety and welfare of the children is the top priority. The products used must be gentle enough to not have any effects on the children, including those with allergies and/or asthma, yet strong enough to be able to kill any germs and bacteria.
The classroom is one of the most used rooms in an infant school. They can be a breeding ground for germs and bacteria. It’s crucial that it is cleaned properly and thoroughly.
Cleaning Infant Schools: A Comprehensive Guide for a Safe and Healthy Environment
Infant schools play a crucial role in a child’s early development, providing a foundation for lifelong learning. Ensuring a clean and hygienic environment is paramount for the well-being of both students and staff. In this article, we will explore the importance of cleaning infant schools and provide a comprehensive guide on effective cleaning practices.
Why Cleaning Matters in Infant Schools
Infant schools house young children who are more susceptible to illnesses due to their developing immune systems. Regular cleaning is essential to create a safe and healthy environment that promotes optimal learning and growth. Here’s why cleaning matters in infant schools:
Disease Prevention: Young children are prone to infections, and a clean environment helps prevent the spread of diseases such as the flu, common cold, and stomach bugs.
Allergen Control: Infants may have allergies or sensitivities. Proper cleaning helps eliminate allergens like dust mites, pet dander, and mould, creating a space conducive to the well-being of all children.
Promoting Good Hygiene Habits: Regular cleaning routines in infant schools instil good hygiene habits in children from a young age, fostering a culture of cleanliness and health.
When cleaning infant schools it is important to think about what areas are most used in a classroom, you automatically think of their desks and chairs and doors.
When cleaning a desk, make sure you use a dry cloth to clean the desk first, before using any chemicals on it. Before using any products, make sure that they will not cause any harm to children. Read the label of the chemicals before using them to know how to use them properly and not cause any harm to furniture.
Chairs should also be cleaned properly so they are free of any crumbs that may have been dropped by the children whilst they eat.
When cleaning infant schools, it is also very important to make sure the doorknobs of the classrooms are properly cleaned. A lot of children will touch them in order to open or close the door. If a child sneezes and touches the doorknob, another child could catch their germs. Therefore, these should be cleaned every day along with the desks and chairs.
Key Areas to Focus on During Cleaning
Ensuring a thorough cleaning process involves paying attention to specific areas within the infant school. Here are key areas that require special attention:
1. Classrooms
Classrooms are the primary spaces where children spend a significant amount of time. Focus on:
Desks and Tables: Wipe down surfaces regularly to prevent the spread of germs.
Toys and Educational Materials: Sanitize toys and materials to ensure they are safe for children to use.
2. Restrooms
Maintaining clean and sanitized restrooms is crucial for promoting good hygiene habits. Consider:
Regular Disinfection: Disinfect all surfaces, including sinks, toilets, and changing tables.
Adequate Supplies: Ensure that there are enough soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizers for both students and staff.
3. Play Areas
Play areas are essential for a child’s physical and social development. Keep these areas clean by:
Regularly Cleaning Equipment: Wipe down play equipment to remove dirt and germs.
Floor Maintenance: Keep floors clean to prevent slips and falls.
Cleaning Products and Techniques
Choosing the right cleaning products and techniques is vital for maintaining a safe and healthy environment in infant schools. Here’s a guide to effective cleaning:
1. Use Child-Friendly Cleaning Products
Opt for cleaning products that are non-toxic and safe for children. Avoid harsh chemicals that may pose health risks to young individuals.
2. Implement Regular Disinfection
Establish a schedule for regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and play equipment. This helps prevent the spread of germs.
3. Train Cleaning Staff
Ensure that cleaning staff is adequately trained in using cleaning products and techniques suitable for infant school environments. Emphasize the importance of thorough cleaning in maintaining a healthy space.
Clean Floors in Infant School Education
The floors of the classrooms in infant schools attract all the critters, such as spiders and even rats depending on the area. Crumbs are always around the floor but also there is residue that comes off the children’s shoes as well. The floor must be vacuumed, keeping in mind some of the important areas that must be checked, such as the corners of the room behind doors and under desks.
Windows can often be forgotten when cleaning infant schools, but windows in classrooms can sometimes get really dirty with many fingerprints. Dirty windows can stop light from getting into the classroom. So it’s always a good idea to clean them with a cloth, including any glass panels on the doors to get rid of any fingerprints.
Cleaning Infant School Bathrooms
The school bathrooms are one of the dirtiest rooms in an infant school as children are constantly using them during breaks and lunch times. Disinfectants must be used on the actual toilet itself; the lid, under the lid, the toilet seat, under the toilet seat and around the inside rim of the toilet bowl. This is to ensure no germs, bacteria or leftover urine residue remains as it could cause illnesses. Appropriate COSHH Health & Safety measures should be in place and followed.
Around the bathroom, signs should be placed on walls to teach the children how to use the the sinks and toilets properly. This will reduce the chances of illness and also teach them to keep the bathrooms clean. An example would be to teach children not to splash water on the ground, so children don’t fall, and also not to play with the soap as it can be slippery.
Inside the toilet itself, one thing that bothers a lot of schools, is the build-up of limescale and how to stop it from building up. There are normally tablets that you would just drop into the toilet and let them stay there overnight, but in a school with children it isn’t recommended as they won’t fully degrade within a night. As such it is best to use them on a Friday afternoon after the children have gone. Instead you can use distilled malt vinegar, pouring some around the whole bowl and leaving it there overnight to get rid of limescale.
It’s also a good idea to flush all the toilets the morning afterwards because the smell may disturb children. You can also use limescale removing toilet cleaners. Using the entire bottle over the limescale and leaving it overnight.
Help Desk and CAFM Explorer (ensuring Cleaning Infant Schools standards are met)
Using state-of-the-art technology, such as Computer-Aided Facilities Management (CAFM), to monitor and manage everyday performance helps deliver efficient infant school cleaning. Integrating services under one point of control helps improve consistency and quality, and generates data to help predict maintenance, energy savings and significantly reduce school running costs. The introduction of the CAFM management system has allowed many schools to operate a remote help desk, access help desk progress information and details of the progress of preventative planned maintenance programmes.
The RFM Help Desk team are trained to escalate emergency procedures and introduce continuity plans as appropriate. During implementation, all Help Desk staff are briefed on the school’s specific requirements. The Help Desk coupled with effective administration is core to the success of effective infant school cleaning operations.
The Infant School Caretaker
The Caretaker plays a significant role in maintaining an infant school, ensuring it is always safe and secure. They will be the first point of call in many circumstances (including cleaning duties where necessary) and responsible for the locking/unlocking procedure. They are often responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
- carrying out walk-rounds of the building and checking all areas including windows
- fire alarm testing
- boiler maintenance
- lighting checks including changing any tubes
- external areas of the school (not only their cleanliness but also their security)
- monitoring of drains/water (prevention of Legionella) and legionella risk assessment
- ensuring waste is removed from the site correctly
- reading energy metres
- check fire doors
- seasonal gritting
- supervising landscaping
- furniture removal
- ensuring the school is always fit for purpose and operational throughout the year including special events.
Cleaning Infant Schools
Cleaning infant schools is not just about aesthetics; it’s about creating a safe and nurturing environment for the youngest learners. By focusing on key areas and implementing effective cleaning practices, we can contribute to the well-being and development of the children who attend these schools. Regular cleaning, coupled with the use of child-friendly products, will help foster a positive and healthy atmosphere for both students and staff alike.
A full glossary of cleaning terms can be found in RFM Group’s Industry Terms in Cleaning Glossary.
Case Study: Park Primary Pupil Referral Unit
Park Primary PRU is a 50 placed KS1- KS3 Pupil Referral Unit. To ensure a safe and clean environment RFM Group were selected to provide a full cleaning service for the primary school. RFM Group provides cleaning services to many schools and pupil referral units across the North of England.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Cleaning Infant Schools
1. Why is cleaning infant schools important?
Cleaning infant schools is crucial for the health and well-being of young children. Infants are more susceptible to illnesses, and a clean environment helps prevent the spread of diseases, promotes good hygiene habits, and ensures a safe space for optimal learning.
2. What areas should be focused on during the cleaning process?
Key areas that require special attention during the cleaning process include classrooms, restrooms, and play areas. Desks, toys, restrooms, play equipment, and high-touch surfaces should be regularly cleaned and sanitized.
3. What cleaning products should be used in infant schools?
It is recommended to use child-friendly cleaning products that are non-toxic and safe for young children. Harsh chemicals should be avoided to minimize potential health risks.
4. How often should disinfection be done?
Regular disinfection is essential to prevent the spread of germs. High-touch surfaces such as doorknobs, light switches, and play equipment should be disinfected on a consistent schedule.
5. How can play areas be maintained?
Play areas can be maintained by regularly cleaning play equipment, ensuring the cleanliness of floors, and creating a safe environment for children to play and develop essential skills.
6. What measures can be taken to prevent allergens in infant schools?
To prevent allergens, it’s important to dust and clean surfaces regularly, eliminate mould, and control pet dander. Creating an environment with good indoor air quality contributes to the overall health of both students and staff.
7. Are there specific training requirements for cleaning staff in infant schools?
Cleaning staff should be adequately trained in using cleaning products and techniques suitable for infant school environments. Training should emphasize the importance of thorough cleaning to maintain a healthy and safe space.
8. What role does cleanliness play in promoting good hygiene habits among children?
Cleanliness in infant schools plays a crucial role in instilling good hygiene habits in children from a young age. Regular cleaning routines contribute to fostering a culture of cleanliness and health among students.
9. How can parents contribute to maintaining a clean environment in infant schools?
Parents can contribute by reinforcing good hygiene habits at home, ensuring that children have clean and properly maintained clothing and personal items, and supporting school initiatives that promote cleanliness and health.
10. How can schools communicate their cleaning practices to parents and the community?
Schools can communicate their cleaning practices through newsletters, websites, and informational sessions. Providing transparent information about cleaning routines and the products used helps build trust and collaboration between schools and parents.
