Cleaning and Disinfection (Child Care Manual)

By keeping your child care centre clean, you help prevent and control the spread of infectious diseases. Integrate cleaning and disinfecting into your ongoing operating practices and provide ongoing training for your staff.

Cleaning
Disinfecting
Cleaning and disinfecting toys
Sensory play
Routine cleaning and disinfecting schedule
Changing a diaper
Potty chairs
Enhanced program for outbreaks

Cleaning

Cleaning is the essential first step in a cleaning and disinfection procedure. Without cleaning, dirt or organic matter can interfere with the disinfectant's ability to kill pathogens (germs) present on surfaces. If you're cleaning multiple surfaces, move from the least- to most-soiled areas to reduce the risk of spreading contamination.

Proper cleaning includes three steps:

Wash all surfaces with soap and water using friction to remove dirt or organics
Rinse with clean potable (drinkable) water
Air dry or use single-use paper towel

Disinfecting

A disinfectant is a chemical product used to reduce pathogens to a safe level. There are many different products available, including some disinfectants that function as a cleaner.

Consider all factors before choosing the product that best suits your centre. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper use.

Pre-mixed or concentrated solutions

Pre-mixed: Some disinfectants can be purchased through a supplier in a formula that is pre-mixed to a desired concentration. These should be used as directed.

Concentrated: These products are a concentrated formula, which you will need to mix with water to a designated ratio as indicated on the product label.

If you're responsible for mixing and preparing the disinfectant solution, you need to use corresponding test strips to verify that it contains the proper concentration. The correct concentration is important for safe and proper disinfection. Test strips can be purchased from your centre's chemical supplier.

Contact time

The contact time is the amount of time that the disinfectant must remain wet on a surface to allow for appropriate disinfection. Failure to reach the required contact time prevents surfaces from being adequately disinfected.

Look for the contact time of a product on its label. It can range from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.

Always select the appropriate contact time for the activity or disinfection level you are intending to carry out. For example, using a disinfectant with a 10-minute contact time may not be suitable for a frequently used diapering change table. This is because you may not have 10 minutes to wait between diaper changes.

In some cases, you may need to wipe or spray surfaces multiple times to achieve the contact time. For example, surfaces may dry quickly when disinfecting wipes are used on larger areas. As a result, multiple wipes may be necessary to reach the required contact time.

Drug Identification Number (DIN)

The disinfectants you use at your centre should have a Drug Identification Number on the product label (exception is sodium hypochlorite/chlorine bleach).

A Drug Identification Number indicates that Health Canada establishes it to be safe and effective for its intended use as a disinfectant.

Expiry date

When using a disinfectant, check its expiry date. Use of a product past the expiry may lower its effectiveness. Household bleach will not have an expiry date, but bleach-based disinfecting products will have expiry dates.

Storage conditions

Safely store all disinfectants:

Out of reach of children
According to the manufacturer's instructions
Away from direct sunlight
In a moderate temperature. Avoid very hot or cold conditions.

When you refill chemical bottles, label them properly as per Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems (WHMIS) requirements.

Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

You're required by the Ministry of Labour to maintain an on-site copy of Material Safety Data Sheets for all chemicals used in your centre. The sheets have vital information which can help keep your staff and children safe from exposure to chemicals.

Check with your chemical supplier to ensure proper Material Safety Data Sheets are maintained on-site.

High contact surfaces

Establish written procedures that set out the frequency and method for cleaning and disinfecting of high contact (also known as high touch or frequently touched) surfaces
It is suggested that cleaning and disinfection logs be used to track cleaning and disinfection of surfaces

Hand hygiene

Provide alcohol-based hand rub and / or a handwashing station near play areas
Before and after each play session, encourage and assist children to clean their hands with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. Supervise children when they use alcohol-based hand rub.

Cleaning and disinfecting toys

Establish written procedures that set out the frequency and method for cleaning and disinfecting toys and assign responsibility
Size plush toys so they can fit inside washing and drying machines
Adhere to the frequency for cleaning and disinfection:

At least weekly
Infant toys at least daily
Any toy touching a child’s mouth must be immediately removed from the play area for cleaning and disinfecting prior to being used again

Disinfection options

Mechanical dishwasher

Do not wash toys with dishes or cutlery.

Chemical disinfectant

If you use a disinfectant, rinse the toy thoroughly prior to use. Allow toys to air-dry before storing.

Ensure that the disinfectant being used is safe and suitable for the intended purpose and that the manufacturer’s directions for dilution and contact times are followed:

Quaternary Ammonium (Quats) at 200 ppm for 10 minutes
Chlorine (bleach) at 1:100 solution (500ppm) for two minutes
Other commercial products follow manufacturer's recommendations

Design and materials

Ensure that shared toys can be easily cleaned, and disinfected or laundered
Don’t use bath toys that retain water
Routinely inspect toys for damage or cracks. Discard damaged toys immediately. They may prevent proper cleaning and disinfecting, and may be a safety hazard.

Storage

Provide a container to separate dirty toys from clean toys
Store clean toys in a manner that prevents contamination

Sensory play

Put policies in place regarding sensory play activities
Discourage sensory play for children who have open cuts, sores, colds or runny noses
Stop sensory play if an outbreak is declared at your centre until the outbreak is declared over
Speak with your public health inspector, if you have questions

Sensory play tables

Wash hands before and after sensory play
Provide a tight-fitting lid for the play table
Clean and disinfect the play table and toys when changing materials

Dry play tables

Change dry play materials weekly or more often if they become soiled
Change play sand monthly. Avoid use of sand that contains silica. Silica can cause or worsen respiratory issues.
If a dry food product is used, ensure that it's not eaten or mouthed by children. Discard food products when wet.

Water play tables

Clean and disinfect the water basin and toys at least once daily for full-day programs, and after each group for half-day programs
Use municipal potable (drinkable) water

Outdoor sandboxes

Securely cover outdoor sandboxes when not in use
Check sandboxes and sand in play areas daily for animal droppings, broken glass, or other hazardous items before children go outside to play. Use a lawn rake to sift through the sand.
Replace sand as often as necessary to keep sand visibly clean and free of all extraneous matter

Routine cleaning and disinfecting schedule

Scheduled frequencies are the minimum requirements for non-outbreak periods. You should increase them as often as necessary to maintain clean and sanitary conditions at all times.

Toys
Items	What to do	After each use	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
All toys (toddler, preschool and school aged)	Clean and disinfect
Items made of absorbent materials (e.g., plush toys, dress-up clothes)	Launder
Water play toys / table	Clean and disinfect
Toy / storage areas	Clean and disinfect

Dry Sensory Play
Items	What to do	After each use	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
Dry sensory play - food / other	Discard
Dry sensory play - sand	Clean / discard
Dry sensory play - able	Clean
Natural items (e.g., rocks, wood, bird’s nest)	Discard

Sleep and Rest Areas
Items	What to do	After each use	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
Linen / bedding	Launder
Cots	Clean and disinfect
Carpets / upholstered furniture	Vacuum (steam clean every six months)
Floor	Sweep and mop

Washrooms
Items	What to do	After each use	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
Cloth towels	Launder
Potty chairs	Clean and disinfect
Hand wash sink / toilets / floors	Clean and disinfect
Diaper change mats	Clean and disinfect

Infant Room
Items	What to do	After each use	Daily	Weekly	Monthly
Mouthed toys	Clean and disinfect
Infant toys	Clean and disinfect
High chair trays	Clean and disinfect
Cloth / plastic bibs	Launder/ clean and disinfect
Soothers	Clean and disinfect (boil one minute or use dishwasher)

Changing a diaper

Post your centre's procedure at each changing area.

Preparing to diaper

Wash hands thoroughly before each change
Assemble supplies within easy reach
Put on single-use gloves
Hold child away from your clothes while you place him or her on the clean change surface

When diapering

Remove diaper. If using safety pins, close pins immediately and place out of child’s reach.
Clean child’s skin with a wet wipe. Remove all visible soil, remembering to check skin creases. Discard wet wipe into soiled diaper or directly into a plastic-lined garbage container.

Discarding soiled diapers

Discard soiled disposable diaper into a plastic lined garbage receptacle
Physically remove large clumps into the toilet. Never wash or rinse soiled clothing or soiled diapers, whether disposable or not. The additional handling of the clothing / diaper may result in more hand or environmental contamination.
Place soiled clothing and re-useable soiled diapers in a plastic bag to be given to parents

Cleaning up after diapering

If wearing gloves, remove them now and discard into garbage container
Wash your hands and the child’s hands with soap and warm water
Return child to supervised area
Clean and disinfect following manufacturer’s directions the diapering area, including all equipment and supplies that were soiled or used
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water, and use paper towels to dry

Potty Chairs

Situating potty chairs

Provide potty chairs that are made of smooth, non-absorbent, easy-to-clean material (no wood) and have a removable water container
Keep potty chairs in the washroom, not in playrooms or hallways
Place potty chairs in a location where children cannot reach toilets, other potty chairs, or other potentially contaminated surfaces

Cleaning up after a child

Empty potty contents into toilet
Clean and disinfect the potty chair
Wash your hands with soap and warm water

Toileting

Supervise children when they use the toilet
Teach them hygienic wiping procedures (front to rear)
Wash your hands thoroughly and help children wash their hands
Clean and disinfect step stools daily. Step stools should be made of non-absorbent material.

Cots

Napping space and play area may be used interchangeably
Label each child’s cot, mat, and bedding. No sharing.
Ensure cots, beds, cribs, and mats are in good repair, and kept clean and sanitary at all times
Wash liners and cots weekly or more often as needed. Send home blankets and personal belongings that are not washed on-site for weekly laundering.
Store cots in a manner that is clean and prevents contamination

Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting program for outbreaks

If an outbreak is declared in your child care centre, you must immediately enhance your cleaning and disinfection program:

Use a broad-spectrum virucide to disinfect toys, change tables and high-contact surfaces. A broad-spectrum virucide is a disinfectant that destroy at minimum one representative hard-to-kill non-enveloped virus (Poliovirus type 1, or Human adenovirus type 5, or Bovine parvovirus, or Canine parvovirus) as well as inactivate other enveloped and non-enveloped viruses present on environmental surfaces.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding intended use, concentration and contact time of the disinfectant
Be aware that Quaternary Ammonium (Quats) products are not a broad-spectrum virucide
Clean and disinfect daily all toys and high contact surfaces
Stop sensory play until Public Health declares the outbreak over
Notify the company that provides your cleaning services about the outbreak and the cleaning and disinfection recommendations provided by Public Health. Failure to notify your cleaning company about the outbreak may lead to an inappropriate level of disinfection to be used, and as a result, the outbreak could spread or be extended.

Cleaning and disinfecting areas / items contaminated by blood and body fluids

Immediately clean and disinfect any areas / items that have been contaminated by spills of blood, bodily fluids and vomit
Section off the area of concern to prevent people from entering
Always wear protective rubber gloves and wash your hands after removing gloves
Physically remove potentially infectious materials with disposable rags or paper towel
Clean surfaces with soap and water, or other household cleaning products. You can use a quaternary ammonium product, but surfaces still need to be disinfected after with a high-level disinfectant.
Disinfect surfaces with a high-level disinfectant

When using a household bleach solution (sodium hypochlorite 5.25%) the high-level disinfection will be achieved with a 1:10 solution (one part bleach to nine parts water) or 5000 ppm; allow a minimum of 10 minutes contact time

If the accident is on carpet, physically remove as much of the spill as possible with disposable rags or paper towels. Use a steam-cleaning carpet machine to remove the remaining contamination.

Last updated: Oct. 5, 2022