How to Meet Victoria’s childcare cleaning regulations: A Step-by-Step Guide for Melbourne centres

This practical guide explains how early childhood education and care services in metropolitan Melbourne can meet Victoria’s childcare cleaning regulations and related infection-control expectations under the National Quality Framework (NQF) and Victorian health guidance. It is written for centre managers, directors, site coordinators and contract cleaners who need a clear, auditable, and up-to-date cleaning program that satisfies regulators, protects children and staff, and reduces disease transmission.

Why compliance matters

Meeting Victoria childcare cleaning requirements is about more than passing inspections — it protects children’s health, reduces absenteeism, supports staff safety and demonstrates professionalism to families and regulators. Proper cleaning and documentation are also an essential part of quality improvement cycles under the NQF and Victorian Department of Education guidance.

Key sources and standards to reference

When designing your cleaning program, ensure alignment with:

• National Quality Framework (NQF) requirements for safe environments and hygiene
• Victorian Department of Education & Early Childhood cleaning and hygiene policies
• Victorian Department of Health guidance on infection prevention, cleaning and waste disposal
• WorkSafe Victoria for workplace safety and chemical handling advice
• Local council environmental health for waste and sharps disposal

Primary keywords for this guide

Throughout this guide you’ll see these priority phrases emphasised for clarity and search optimisation: childcare cleaning, Victoria’s childcare cleaning regulations, Melbourne centres, infection control and cleaning schedule.

Step 1 — Conduct a risk-based site audit

Begin with a thorough, documented audit of your facility. Use a risk-based approach that identifies high-risk zones, frequency needs and resource gaps.

1. Map all indoor and outdoor spaces: rooms, sleep/rest areas, kitchens, nappy change stations, toilets, sensory areas, staff areas and storage.
2. Identify high-touch surfaces: door handles, light switches, tables, chairs, toys, handrails and electronic devices.
3. Assess laundry facilities and handling of soiled linen and nappies.
4. Inspect cleaning storage: locked cupboards, chemical safety data sheets (SDS) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
5. Document frequency recommendations (daily, between-sessions, weekly deep clean, monthly/quarterly tasks).

Step 2 — Develop a written cleaning schedule and protocols

A written, auditable cleaning schedule is central to compliance. Ensure it is accessible to staff and included in induction training.

Essential components of a compliant cleaning schedule:

• Daily tasks: toilets, nappy-change areas, food prep surfaces, high-touch surfaces, floors, empties of bins, prompt cleaning of spills and soiled items.
• Between-session tasks: spot-clean carpets, sanitise tables and chairs, wash mouthed toys immediately or place in isolation for cleaning.
• Weekly tasks: deep clean floors, clean fridge interiors, disinfect bins, wipe shelving, launder cots/linen where applicable.
• Monthly/quarterly tasks: walls, blinds, cupboard exteriors, deep carpet cleaning, ventilation grille cleaning.
• Incident-based tasks: blood/body fluid spills, suspected infectious disease exposures, vomit clean-up — follow health department blood and body fluid protocols.

Step 3 — Choose approved products and safe practices

Choose cleaning and disinfectant products that are effective against common pathogens yet safe for use around children. Follow product SDS and avoid mixing chemicals.

Practical product guidance:

1. Use an approved detergent for routine cleaning and an appropriate disinfectant for sanitising high-touch surfaces. Check the product label for contact time and suitability for toys and food-contact surfaces.
2. Avoid aerosol sprays in rooms where children are present; prefer wipe-on/wipe-off methods.
3. Where possible, use eco-friendly, non-toxic formulations that still meet disinfection requirements.
4. Store chemicals locked and clearly labelled; keep SDS on file and visible to staff.

Step 4 — Implement robust infection-control measures

Infection control overlaps with cleaning requirements. Your centre should have clear procedures for hand hygiene, isolation of sick children, management of outbreaks and mouthing behaviour (when toys go in a child’s mouth).

• Hand hygiene stations available and stocked; visual prompts for children and staff.
• Mouthed toys: remove immediately, wash in detergent, disinfect then air dry and return.
• Implement exclusion policies aligned with public health advice for contagious illnesses.
• Develop outbreak response plans that escalate cleaning frequency and contact local public health when required.

Step 5 — Train staff and contractors

Training must be documented and repeated regularly. Include both centre staff and any external cleaning contractors.

1. Induction training: cleaning schedules, correct use of PPE, SDS interpretation, spill procedures and toy cleaning protocols.
2. Regular refresher sessions: at least annually and after any policy updates or outbreak events.
3. Competency checks and spot audits to ensure techniques are followed (e.g., correct contact time for disinfectants, single-use cloths or proper laundering).
4. Ensure contract cleaners understand the NQF context and reporting requirements.

Step 6 — Establish documentation and record-keeping

Good records demonstrate compliance during audits. Your documentation should be simple, dated and signed.

Minimum documentation to maintain:

• Daily cleaning checklists signed by responsible person(s).
• Weekly, monthly and annual deep-clean records.
• Incident logs for spills, bodily fluid clean-ups and infectious disease events.
• Training records for all staff and contractors.
• Chemical inventory and SDS folder.
• Maintenance records for appliances (dishwashers, washing machines, HVAC filters).

Step 7 — Manage toys, linen and food areas safely

Toys, linens and food preparation surfaces are vectors for germ spread unless managed carefully.

1. Have a toy rotation system where toys that cannot be cleaned easily are removed.
2. Launder linen at hot cycles recommended by the manufacturer; store clean linen away from contamination.
3. Use dedicated cleaning utensils and cloths for food areas; colour-code cloths where possible to avoid cross-contamination.

Step 8 — Waste management and sharps disposal

Disposal of soiled nappies, tissues and sharps must follow hygiene and local council rules.

• Closed bins with liners in nappy-change areas; emptied frequently.
• Sharps containers for any clinical sharps, disposed through council or authorised contractors.
• Signage for staff on waste segregation and handling of infectious waste.

Step 9 — Audit, review and continuous improvement

Regularly audit cleaning practices and use feedback loops to improve. Audits provide evidence for the NQF Quality Improvement Plan.

1. Monthly internal audits against your cleaning schedule and checklists.
2. Quarterly review of product effectiveness, contract performance and training currency.
3. Invite parent feedback on cleanliness as part of your service review.
4. Update your cleaning plan after any incident, outbreak, or regulatory change.

Sample daily checklist (concise)

Use this as a template to adapt to your centre’s specific needs:

1. Entry area: sweep, wipe handrails and door handles.
2. Playrooms: wipe tables/chairs between sessions, clean mouthed toys immediately.
3. Toilets and nappy area: disinfect surfaces, replace liners, clean sinks.
4. Kitchen / food prep: clean & sanitise benches, fridge check, wash utensils.
5. Sleep areas: change linen if soiled, wipe mattress surfaces weekly or as needed.
6. Outdoor equipment: inspect and remove hazards; wash high-touch items weekly.

What inspectors look for

During assessments regulators commonly check:

• Evidence of a written cleaning schedule and daily checklists.
• Appropriate products and SDS availability.
• Documented staff training and competency records.
• Appropriate management of toys, linen and soiled items.
• Practices that minimise cross-contamination and support child safety.

Practical tips for Melbourne centres

Melbourne centres should also factor in local context — humidity, seasonal viruses and local public health directives. A few pragmatic tips:

• Schedule deeper cleans during quieter weeks or when enrolment is lower (e.g., school terms planning).
• Consider using accredited cleaning contractors familiar with NQF and Victorian guidance.
• Keep an internal incident response contact list (local council, health department, cleaning supplier, contract manager).
• Maintain a stock buffer of critical items: disinfectant, gloves, disposable cloths, hand sanitiser and spare linens.

Professional cleaning support

If you outsource cleaning, include NQF and Victorian policy compliance requirements in your contract. Specify frequency, deliverables, documentation and right-to-audit clauses. Many Melbourne providers offer tailored services for early childhood settings that include training, SDS management and customised schedules.

childcare cleaning services

For supplementary operational or industry insights (not a substitute for regulatory guidance), some facility and industry blogs regularly publish useful checklists and case studies for centre directors and managers.

https://www.citywidefacilitysolutions.com/blog/

Responding to outbreaks or notifiable diseases

When an infectious disease is suspected or confirmed among staff or children:

1. Notify local public health as required and follow exclusion guidance.
2. Increase cleaning frequency and focus on high-touch points and shared items.
3. Document all cleaning actions taken, products used, contact times and responsible staff.
4. Communicate clearly with families about the steps you’re taking and any service changes.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Relying on verbal instructions rather than written, signed checklists.
• Mixing incompatible chemicals or under-dosing disinfectants (not following label contact time).
• Using cloths across different zones (food vs nappy areas) without proper colour-coding/laundering.
• Insufficient training for new staff or external cleaners.
• Poor storage and labelling of SDS and chemicals.

Action plan: first 30 days

Follow this short action plan to get your centre compliant and audit-ready quickly.

1. Day 1–3: Perform site audit and map high-risk zones.
2. Day 4–10: Write/adapt cleaning schedule and procurement list for approved products.
3. Day 11–15: Deliver induction training to staff and contractors; issue checklists.
4. Day 16–25: Implement daily checklists and begin record-keeping; perform first internal audit.
5. Day 26–30: Review findings, adjust schedule, plan quarterly deep-clean and schedule next training.

Keeping up to date

Regulatory and public health guidance can change. Appoint a staff member to monitor updates from the Victorian Department of Health, Department of Education and the national regulatory bodies and to update the cleaning program and training records when needed.

Summary checklist

At a glance, ensure you have:

• A documented, risk-based cleaning schedule with daily, weekly and deep-clean tasks.
• Clear infection-control procedures for mouthing, spills and outbreaks.
• Approved cleaning products, SDS and safe storage.
• Documented staff training and signed daily checklists.
• Procedure for laundering linen and managing soiled nappies/waste.
• Regular audits and a continuous improvement process.

Where to find official guidance (quick links)

Always consult official sources for the latest requirements. Key places to check include the Victorian Department of Education, Victorian Department of Health, and the National Quality Framework documentation. Your local council can provide advice on waste and sharps disposal.

Final notes

Meeting Victoria’s childcare cleaning regulations requires consistent processes, documented evidence and staff engagement. By following a risk-based cleaning schedule, using approved products safely, training staff and maintaining records, Melbourne centres can protect children’s health and demonstrate compliance during assessments. If you need help implementing a tailored program, consider engaging a provider experienced in early childhood environments.