Childcare Cleaning Checklist: A Daily & Weekly Guide for Melbourne Centres

Running a childcare centre is about more than education, it’s about creating a space where children feel safe, healthy, and cared for every single day. Cleanliness plays a huge role in that. From playrooms to bathrooms and shared eating areas, germs can spread quickly without the right systems in place. That’s where a clear childcare cleaning checklist makes all the difference.

At Perfectly Clean, we work closely with childcare centres across Melbourne and understand the daily challenges educators and directors face.

This guide is designed to help you stay organized, compliant, and confident with a practical daily cleaning checklist for daycare, along with a reliable weekly routine that keeps your Centre spotless.

Why Every Childcare Centre Needs a Cleaning Checklist

Children learn through play, and play can be messy. With shared toys, close interaction, and constant movement, childcare environments naturally require a higher level of cleaning than most spaces.

Having a structured daycare cleaning checklist helps your Centre:

• Reduce the spread of germs and illnesses

• Create a healthier environment for children and staff

• Maintain a professional, welcoming space for families

• Stay organized and consistent with cleaning routines

• Support hygiene expectations and inspections

  
  

A well-maintained daycare cleaning list isn’t just about appearance, it’s about protecting children during the most important stages of their development.

Daily Cleaning Checklist for Daycare Centres

A solid daily cleaning checklist ensures that high-use areas are cleaned and sanitized consistently throughout the day. These tasks should become part of your daily routine and completed before opening, during the day where possible, and again at closing.

Classrooms & Play Areas

These spaces see the most activity and need regular attention.

Daily tasks include:

• Wiping down tables, chairs, shelves, and learning stations

• Disinfecting hard toys and shared play equipment

• Sweeping, vacuuming, or mopping floors

• Sanitizing door handles, light switches, and railings

• Tidying and resetting play areas

  
  

Keeping classrooms clean helps reduce illness and keeps children comfortable and focused throughout the day.

Bathrooms & Nappy-Change Areas

Bathrooms are high-risk zones and should be cleaned multiple times daily.

Your daycare cleaning checklist should include:

• Disinfecting toilets, sinks, taps, and nappy-change tables

• Mopping floors with child-safe disinfectant

• Emptying bins regularly

• Restocking soap, paper towels, and toilet paper

  
  

Consistent cleaning here protects both children and staff and helps prevent cross-contamination.

Kitchen & Eating Areas

Food areas require careful attention to hygiene.

Daily cleaning should cover:

• Sanitizing tables before and after meals

• Cleaning highchairs and feeding equipment

• Wiping down benchtops and food prep surfaces

• Washing dishes and utensils

• Sweeping and mopping floors after meals

  
  

A clean eating space supports healthy habits and keeps children safe during meal times.

Sleep & Rest Areas

Nap areas need daily care to remain hygienic and comfortable.

Add these to your daycare cleaning list:

• Washing bedding, sheets, and blankets daily

• Wiping down cots and sleep mats

• Keeping sleeping spaces tidy and well-ventilated

  
  

Fresh bedding helps reduce allergens and promotes better rest for children.

End-of-Day Clean

Before closing, it’s important to do a final walk-through.

End-of-day tasks include:

• Emptying all bins

• Final sanitizing of high-touch surfaces

• Resetting rooms for the next day

• Checking that all daily checklist items are complete

  
  

This ensures your Centre is ready to welcome children into a clean space each morning.

Weekly Daycare Cleaning Schedule: Deep Clean Essentials

While daily cleaning keeps things under control, a weekly daycare cleaning schedule helps maintain long-term hygiene and cleanliness by targeting areas that don’t need daily attention.

Deep Cleaning Play Equipment & Soft Items

Once a week:

• Wash soft toys, cushions, and dress-up clothes

• Clean toy storage bins and shelves

• Disinfect large play equipment

These items are often overlooked but can harbor germs and allergens.

Floors, Carpets & Fabrics

Weekly tasks should include:

• Deep vacuuming carpets and rugs

• Mopping floors thoroughly, including corners

• Washing curtains or fabric blinds

This helps improve air quality and keeps your Centre feeling fresh.

Kitchen & Storage Areas

Weekly kitchen cleaning includes:

• Cleaning inside fridges and cupboards

• Disinfecting storage shelves

• Checking food expiry dates and disposing of old items

A clean kitchen supports food safety and staff confidence.

Extra Bathroom Attention

Beyond daily cleaning:

• Scrub tiles and grout

• Clean behind toilets and fixtures

• Remove buildup from drains and corners

These tasks help control Odour and improve overall hygiene.

Creating a Cleaning Schedule That Works

Every Childcare Centre is different, which is why your daycare cleaning schedule should be tailored to your space, number of children, and daily routine.

Helpful tips:

• Break cleaning tasks into daily and weekly sections

• Assign clear responsibilities to staff or cleaners

• Use visible checklists to track completed tasks

• Review and update your checklist regularly

  
  

Consistency is key, when everyone knows what needs to be done, cleaning becomes easier and more effective.

Why Professional Childcare Cleaning Makes a Difference

While staff can manage day-to-day cleaning, professional cleaners bring expertise, efficiency, and peace of mind.

At Perfectly Clean Cleaning Solutions, we specialize in childcare environments across Melbourne, offering:

• Child-safe cleaning products

• Reliable, structured cleaning routines

• Attention to high-risk areas

• Customized childcare cleaning checklists

  
  

We work around your schedule to ensure minimal disruption and maximum cleanliness.

Final Thoughts

A clear childcare cleaning checklist supported by a reliable daily cleaning checklist for daycare and a consistent daycare cleaning schedule helps create a safer, healthier environment for children, staff, and families. Clean spaces build trust. Parents notice. Children thrive. If you’d like help creating a customized daycare cleaning list for your Melbourne Childcare Centre, or want professional cleaning support, Perfectly Clean Cleaning Solutions is here to help.

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