Daycare Cleaning Checklist: Complete Guide

A daycare can get messy in a hurry. Between toys, meals, nap time, and plenty of little hands touching everything along the way, there’s always something new to clean. And the tricky part is keeping track of it all. Which tasks need attention throughout the day? Which ones can staff handle, and when might you need professional help?

Our daycare cleaning checklist can help you organize your routine and keep your team on the same page.

Daycare Cleaning Checklist: What to Clean and When

Before getting started, it helps to know the difference between these three terms:

Cleaning: Removes dirt, debris, food residue, and visible soil from a surface.
Sanitizing: Reduces germs on a cleaned surface to levels considered safe by public health standards.
Disinfecting: Uses a labeled disinfectant to kill specific germs on a cleaned surface.

IMPORTANT:

Always follow your cleaning product’s label, required contact time, and manufacturer instructions for proper cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting. Your facility should also follow all applicable health and safety regulations and childcare requirements.

Throughout-the-Day Childcare Cleaning Checklist

Some cleaning tasks need prompt action and can’t wait for the end of the day. Use the list below as a quick reference for keeping up with high-use areas and items that need to be cleaned before they’re used again:

Clean and address bodily-fluid spills according to your facility’s procedures and applicable requirements.
Set aside mouthed or heavily soiled toys and items, then clean and sanitize or disinfect them.
Clean tables, high chairs, floors, and other surfaces after food or drink spills.
Clean and sanitize or disinfect diaper-changing surfaces according to childcare procedures and product instructions.
Empty trash and waste containers when full or as needed.
Return toys, supplies, and activity materials to their designated areas, setting aside anything that needs cleaning.

Daily Daycare Cleaning Checklist

These are the core tasks to include in your daycare’s daily cleaning and sanitation routine. Adjust the list based on how each area is used and applicable requirements.

Area/Room	Daily Cleaning Tasks
Classrooms and activity areas	Clean tables and chairs Wipe commonly touched surfaces Clean play and activity surfaces Organize and clean classroom materials Sweep, vacuum, and/or mop floors
Toys and shared items	Clean and sanitize toys and shared items according to manufacturer’s instructions Separate items that need cleaning before returning them to use
Nap areas	Clean sleeping surfaces and equipment Launder linens according to facility procedures Clean mats, cribs, cots, and other sleeping equipment
Bathroom and changing areas	Clean toilets, sinks, floors, fixtures, and frequently touched surfaces Clean and sanitize/disinfect changing surfaces according to procedures Restock soap, paper products, and other necessary supplies
Kitchen and eating areas	Clean tables, counters, sinks, and food-preparation surfaces Clean high chairs and other eating equipment Remove food waste and clean remaining spills
Entrances and common areas	Clean door handles, light switches, railings, and other frequently touched surfaces Sweep, vacuum, and/or mop entryway and common-area floors
General	Empty trash and replace liners as needed Check cleaning and restroom supplies Note areas or tasks that need additional attention

Weekly Daycare Cleaning Checklist

Some cleaning tasks don’t need to happen every day but should still have a regular place on the daycare cleaning schedule. Depending on your facility, consider adding these weekly tasks:

Area/Item	Weekly Cleaning Tasks
Classrooms and activity areas	Dust and clean shelves, cubbies, and storage surfaces Clean walls, doors, and baseboards Clean behind and underneath movable furniture where accessible
Toys and soft items	Clean washable soft toys and dress-up items according to care instructions Clean toy bins, containers, and storage areas Check toys and shared items for damage or wear
Kitchen and food storage	Clean cabinet fronts and less-frequently cleaned storage surfaces Clean appliance exteriors and other areas outside the daily routine Check stored food and remove expired items
Restrooms and changing areas	Clean less-frequently reached areas around fixtures and under accessible equipment Clean walls, doors, and other surfaces outside the daily routine
Common areas and storage	Dust and clean shelving, storage areas, and other less-frequently used surfaces Clean accessible hard-to-reach areas where dust and debris collect
Transportation vehicles	Clean interior surfaces and floors, if applicable Wipe commonly touched areas such as handles and seat surfaces

Monthly and Periodic Daycare Cleaning Checklist

Some cleaning tasks can be scheduled monthly, while others make more sense on a seasonal or as-needed basis. Consider your facility’s use, the materials involved, manufacturer instructions, and applicable requirements when deciding how often to tackle these tasks.

Area/Item	Monthly or Periodic Cleaning Tasks
Carpets and upholstery	Deep-clean carpets as needed based on use and condition Clean upholstered furniture and other fabric surfaces
Furniture and floors	Clean behind and underneath larger furniture where accessible Give baseboards, corners, and other overlooked areas additional attention
Windows and coverings	Clean windows and windowsills Dust or clean blinds, shades, and other window coverings
Storage areas	Deep clean storage spaces, shelves, and containers Remove clutter and items that are no longer needed
Cleaning supplies and equipment	Check cleaning products and supplies and restock as needed Inspect cleaning equipment and replace items that are worn or no longer working properly
Specialty cleaning	Schedule broader facility or specialty cleaning when needed Assess whether services such as air-duct cleaning are appropriate based on facility needs and applicable recommendations

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Daycare Cleaning Procedures by Area

Not every area of your daycare should be cleaned the same way. The right strategy can depend on everything from the material you’re cleaning to how often the area is used, so let’s look at what each space needs.

Classrooms and Activity Areas

Use a consistent cleaning order so staff can work through the space without overlooking commonly used areas. Clean visible soil and spills as they come up, and clean surfaces before sanitizing or disinfecting them when required to keep the space hygienic.

Toys and Shared Items

Have a designated place for toys and other items that need cleaning so they don’t accidentally go back into circulation. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for each material, and give mouthed or heavily soiled items the appropriate cleaning, sanitizing, or disinfecting treatment.

Restrooms and Changing Areas

These areas benefit from a consistent cleaning sequence that helps prevent cross-contamination, along with close attention to product instructions. When sanitizing or disinfecting is required, allow the product to remain on the surface for the label’s specified contact time rather than wiping it away too soon.

Kitchen and Eating Areas

Clean away food residue and visible soil before sanitizing food-contact surfaces when required by applicable procedures. Dishes and washable eating equipment should be cleaned using methods appropriate for the material and manufacturer’s instructions.

Nap and Sleeping Areas

Keep clean and soiled linens separate until they can be laundered, and follow care instructions for bedding and sleeping equipment. Mats, cots, cribs, and other surfaces may require different cleaning methods depending on their materials.

Floors and Carpets

Match the cleaning method to the flooring or carpet material, since different surfaces may have different care requirements. Address spills promptly and schedule deeper carpet cleaning based on facility needs.

Read Next: Classroom Cleaning Checklist

Staff Cleaning vs. Professional Daycare Cleaning

Staff can handle many routine cleanup tasks that come with running a daycare, but sometimes the workload becomes harder to keep up with. You may want to consider professional educational cleaning support if:

Staff are spending too much time on cleaning instead of their regular responsibilities.
Recurring cleaning tasks are getting pushed aside when the daycare gets busy.
You need more consistent cleanliness and hygiene across classrooms, restrooms, floors, and common areas.
Periodic or deeper cleaning is difficult to fit into the daily schedule.
You want cleaning handled outside normal operating hours to minimize disruptions to children and staff.

Professional cleaning doesn’t have to mean handing over every task. Your staff can still manage everyday cleanup while a professional janitorial cleaning service takes care of the larger, recurring jobs. Here’s how the two can work together:

Staff may manage	Hire a professional cleaning service for
Clean up after activities and meals	Facility-wide recurring cleaning
Put away toys, supplies, and activity materials	Restroom cleaning
Address spills and visible messes as they occur	Floor and carpet cleaning
Complete assigned daily cleaning tasks	Broader cleaning of surfaces and common areas
Keep classrooms and eating areas tidy throughout the day	Periodic or deeper cleaning of the facility
Set aside toys, linens, or other items that need cleaning	Cleaning scheduled outside normal operating hours, where available

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean a daycare?

Start with the areas that see the most activity, including classrooms, toys, restrooms, changing areas, kitchens, nap spaces, and common high-touch areas. From there, build a routine that keeps up with everyday messes while helping keep the daycare safe and healthy.

How often should a daycare be cleaned?

Some messes need attention as they happen, while routine cleaning belongs on the daily schedule. Other jobs can be handled weekly or periodically, depending on how often an area is used and what it needs.

Can daycare staff handle routine cleaning?

Yes. Staff can handle many everyday cleanup tasks, while professional cleaners can take care of broader, recurring, or more time-consuming work. This gives your team a practical way to keep up with daily messes without having to carry the entire cleaning workload.

When should a daycare hire professional daycare cleaning services?

It may be time to bring in professional help when the cleaning list keeps getting pushed aside, staff have too much on their plates, or larger cleaning jobs are difficult to fit into the day.

What should I look for in a daycare cleaning company?

Look for a company that understands the day-to-day demands of a busy childcare facility and can build a cleaning plan around them. Desert Oasis Cleaners has 20+ years of local experience providing daycare janitorial services, with customized cleaning plans, month-to-month options, and free quotes. Request your FREE daycare cleaning quote today.