Staying Healthy in Child Care - National Health and Medical ...

Bathrooms. Wash taps handles, toilet seats, toilet
handles and door knobs. Check the bathroom during
the day and clean if obviously soiled.
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Draft for Public Consultation
Wash daily
plus when visibly
soiled
√
Wash weekly
plus when visibly
soiled
Toys and objects put in the mouth. √
Surfaces the children have frequent contact with, for
example, bench tops, taps, cots and tables.
√
Mattress covers and linen, if each child does not
use the same mattress cover every day.
√
Door knobs. √
Floors. √
Low shelves. √
Other surfaces often touched by children. √
Special areas for cleaning
Nappy change area
Clean the nappy change area (table or mat) thoroughly after each nappy change with
detergent and warm water.
If faecal matter spills onto the change table or mat, clean with detergent and warm water,
and leave to dry. At the end of the morning and at the end of the day, remove the mat;
wash with warm water and detergent and leave to dry, preferably in the sun.
Clothing
Staff clothing, or over-clothing, should be washed daily in hot water. It is a good idea for
staff to wear overclothes, such as aprons, gowns or coats. These can be removed and
washed at the end of the day. This helps to protect the child care worker’s own family
when she/he returns home. Overclothes must be worn over clothing that cannot be
washed every day, for example jumpers.
The children’s dress-up clothes should be also be washed regularly. We recommend
washing them once a week in hot water and detergent.
Linen
Wash linen in hot water. Do not carry used linen against your own clothing or coverall.
Instead, take it to the laundry in a basket or plastic bag. Treat soiled linen as you would a
dirty nappy. If washed at the centre, soiled linen should be:
• soaked to remove the bulk of the contamination
• washed separately in hot water
• dried in the sun or on a hot cycle in the clothes dryer