Daycare & School Cleaning: Meeting Ontario's Childcare Safety Standards

Children's immune systems are still developing, making them far more susceptible to the pathogens, allergens, and chemical irritants that adults tolerate without symptoms. At the same time, the shared environment of a daycare or school — toys, surfaces, bathrooms, play areas — creates intense cross-contamination potential. Ontario's regulatory framework for licensed childcare facilities reflects this reality with strict requirements for cleaning and sanitisation. Non-compliance results in enforcement action and, more seriously, puts children at risk.

Ontario Regulatory Framework for Childcare Cleaning

Licensed childcare centres in Ontario operate under the Child Care and Early Years Act (CCEYA) and are inspected by the Ministry of Education. The Act requires that premises, equipment, and supplies be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition, and that cleaning and sanitising products be used according to manufacturer instructions and stored safely away from children. Inspectors review cleaning logs and may conduct swab tests on food contact surfaces. Non-compliant centres receive compliance orders and can face licence suspension.

Product Safety: What Can and Cannot Be Used

The most important distinction in childcare facility cleaning is between cleaning products and sanitising products, and the requirement that sanitisers used on food contact surfaces be food-safe. In a childcare setting, this extends practically to all surfaces children may mouth or touch. Standard commercial disinfectants containing bleach at high concentrations, heavy fragrances, or volatile organic compounds should not be used in areas where children are present or will be present shortly after cleaning.

• Approved sanitisers for food contact surfaces: diluted bleach (200ppm), approved quaternary ammonium solutions
• Fragrance-free, low-VOC cleaning products for all areas children access
• ECCC-approved products reduce risk of respiratory irritation in developing lungs
• Enzymatic cleaners for biological spills — safer and more effective than bleach for vomit, blood, urine
• All products must be stored in locked, ventilated storage inaccessible to children
• Product safety data sheets must be maintained on-site

Key Areas and Cleaning Requirements

• Diaper change tables: Clean and sanitise between every child using a two-step process
• Food preparation and feeding surfaces: Clean and sanitise before and after each meal
• Toys and play equipment: Daily sanitisation of all items children mouth; weekly for larger items
• Sleep mats and cots: Cleaned and sanitised between each child use
• Washrooms: Cleaned and sanitised at minimum twice daily and after any soiling incidents
• Water tables and sensory bins: Emptied, cleaned, and sanitised after each use
• Entrance and high-traffic floors: Mopped daily with appropriate disinfectant

Recommended Cleaning Schedule for Toronto Daycares

Daily

• Sanitise all food preparation and feeding areas before and after meals
• Clean and sanitise all washroom fixtures, floors, and surfaces twice
• Wipe and sanitise all high-touch surfaces: door handles, light switches, faucets
• Sanitise diaper change tables between each use
• Sweep and mop all hard floors
• Vacuum all carpeted areas
• Empty all waste bins and sanitise

Weekly

• Wash and sanitise all large toys and play equipment
• Deep clean all washrooms including grout and fixtures
• Clean inside all cubbies, storage areas, and shelving
• Wipe walls, baseboards, and doors in all rooms
• Sanitise sleep mats, cots, and resting area surfaces

Term-End / Seasonal

• Full deep clean and disinfection of all rooms
• Professional carpet hot-water extraction
• Fogging disinfection of all areas
• Window cleaning — interior and exterior
• Full inspection and cleaning of HVAC vents and filters

Documentation: What Inspectors Look For

Ministry of Education inspectors routinely request cleaning logs during compliance visits. Your log should record the date, time, area cleaned, product used, and the initials of the person who completed the cleaning. CMG Clean provides a completed cleaning log with every contracted service visit, which you can maintain alongside your staff's daily logs. Having accurate, complete documentation is often the difference between a minor compliance note and a formal compliance order.