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The Complete Early Childhood Centre Cleaning Checklist

A practical daily, weekly and monthly cleaning guide for New Zealand early childhood centres

A clean early childhood centre helps protect children, educators and whānau from illness while creating a safe, healthy and welcoming and compliant learning environment. Regular cleaning, sanitising and good hygiene practices are essential for reducing the spread of germs and meeting Ministry of Education expectations.

Designed for New Zealand Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres, including childcare centres, kindergartens, preschools, Montessori centres and kōhanga reo. This checklist supports good hygiene practices and helps maintain a safe, healthy environment for tamariki, educators and whānau.

Daily Cleaning Checklist

Reception & Entrance

☐ Vacuum or mop entrance floors

☐ Clean entrance doors and glass

☐ Wipe reception desk

☐ Clean sign-in tablet or register

☐ Sanitise EFTPOS terminal (if applicable)

☐ Restock hand sanitiser

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Remove fingerprints from doors and glass

☐ Check entrance mats

Classrooms & Learning Areas

☐ Vacuum carpets

☐ Mop hard floors

☐ Wipe tables and chairs

☐ Clean shelves and storage units

☐ Sanitise high-touch surfaces

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Remove food scraps

☐ Spot clean walls

☐ Clean whiteboards

☐ Organise learning resources

Children's Toys & Equipment

☐ Clean frequently used toys

☐ Sanitise shared toys

☐ Wipe construction toys

☐ Clean sensory play equipment

☐ Clean dramatic play equipment

☐ Wipe books with washable covers

☐ Inspect toys for damage

☐ Remove broken toys

Toys that children place in their mouths should be cleaned and sanitised before being returned to use.

Sleep Rooms

☐ Vacuum floors

☐ Mop hard flooring

☐ Wipe cots

☐ Sanitise cot rails

☐ Clean sleep mats

☐ Check bedding storage

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Ensure rooms are well ventilated

Kitchens & Food Preparation Areas

☐ Clean benches

☐ Sanitise food preparation surfaces

☐ Clean sinks

☐ Wipe cupboard doors

☐ Sweep and mop floors

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean highchair trays

☐ Sanitise dining tables

☐ Restock paper towels

☐ Check soap dispensers

Children's Bathrooms

☐ Clean toilets

☐ Sanitise toilet seats

☐ Clean hand basins

☐ Clean taps

☐ Refill soap dispensers

☐ Restock paper towels

☐ Restock toilet paper

☐ Mop floors

☐ Empty sanitary and nappy bins

☐ Sanitise changing tables

☐ Clean nappy disposal units

Staff Areas

☐ Clean staff kitchen

☐ Wipe benches

☐ Empty rubbish bins

☐ Clean lunch tables

☐ Sanitise shared equipment

☐ Vacuum or mop floors

Outdoor Play Areas

☐ Sweep pathways

☐ Remove rubbish

☐ Empty outdoor bins

☐ Clean outdoor tables

☐ Wipe playground handrails

☐ Inspect outdoor equipment

☐ Remove hazards

☐ Clean sandpit covers

☐ Check outdoor storage areas

Cleaning Throughout the Day

☐ Clean spills immediately

☐ Wipe eating tables before and after meals

☐ Sanitise high-touch surfaces

☐ Empty bins before they overflow

☐ Restock soap and paper towels

☐ Clean mouthed toys immediately

☐ Check bathrooms regularly

☐ Spot clean floors

☐ Record cleaning where required

Weekly Cleaning Tasks

☐ Machine clean hard floors where appropriate

☐ Deep clean carpets

☐ Wash classroom furniture

☐ Deep clean toy storage bins

☐ Wash soft toys (where washable)

☐ Launder dress-up clothes

☐ Clean windows

☐ Dust high surfaces

☐ Clean skirting boards

☐ Clean light switches

☐ Wash rubbish bins

☐ Deep clean kitchen cupboards

☐ Clean fridge

☐ Clean microwaves

☐ Clean outdoor furniture

☐ Wash playground equipment

Monthly Cleaning Tasks

☐ Steam clean carpets if required

☐ Deep clean upholstery

☐ Wash walls

☐ Pressure wash outdoor paths where appropriate

☐ Deep clean cots

☐ Deep clean sleep mats

☐ Inspect ventilation grilles

☐ Review chemical stock

☐ Check cleaning equipment

☐ Service vacuum cleaners

☐ Inspect dispensers

☐ Review cleaning procedures with staff

☐ Audit infection-control practices

Infection Prevention Tips

✔ Encourage regular hand washing throughout the day.

✔ Clean and sanitise toys that children mouth immediately after use.

✔ Use separate cleaning cloths for bathrooms, kitchens and classrooms.

✔ Increase cleaning during outbreaks of illness.

✔ Keep soap, paper towels and tissues fully stocked.

✔ Empty nappy bins frequently.

✔ Use Ministry of Education-approved cleaning practices.

✔ Encourage children to cover coughs and sneezes.

✔ Wash bedding regularly.

✔ Maintain good ventilation wherever possible.

Recommended Colour-Coding System

Red – Toilets and nappy changing areas

Yellow – Bathroom fittings and wash basins

Blue – Classrooms, offices and general areas

Green – Kitchen and food preparation areas

Separate cloths, mops and buckets should always be used for each area to minimise cross-contamination.

Recommended Cleaning Equipment