Windsor Montessori Policies

Cleaning and Hygiene Policy

 

 

References:

Education (Early Childhood Services) Regulations 2008, regulation 45,46; Licensing Criteria for Early Childhood Education and Care Centres 2008, PF115, HS101

Ministry of Health, 1997, Nga Kupu Oranga, Healthy Messages, a health and safety resource for early childhood services.

 

 

Te Whāriki:

Mana atua/Wellbeing Goal 1: Tamariki experience an environment where their health is promoted.

 

 

Statement of Intent:

Windsor Montessori recognises the responsibility it holds regarding the safety and cleanliness of the environment it provides for tamariki, parents/whānau/caregivers and kaiako.

Windsor Montessori will ensure that all resources, equipment, surfaces and flooring at the preschool are held to a high standard of cleanliness to promote the health and wellbeing of tamariki and kaiako.

 

 

Objectives: 

• To ensure that safe hygienic premises, furniture, furnishings, fittings, equipment and materials are maintained

• To minimise the risk of spreading infectious diseases

 

Procedures for cleaning and hygiene:

●Kaiako will be expected to “clean as they go” ensuring spills and messes are cleaned up immediately. All kaiako have an end of the day job to complete.

• Kaiako will be responsible for general cleaning of the whole preschool, including all hard surfaces and bathroom areas. All cleaning materials used will be stored in a secure cleaner’s cupboard.  General day-to-day cleaning products used by kaiako will be kept in a locked cupboard out of reach of tamariki. (a child lock will be put in the kitchen cupboard where cleaning materials are kept – gate into kitchen is kept locked but opened when children put dishes away – Kaiako are always in the kitchen actively supervising)

●A cleaning schedule with details of daily, monthly and term cleaning will be displayed in the toilet area.  See Attached.

●Cleaning will be completed more regularly if an outbreak of an illness occurs or time permits it. 

●Kaiako will regularly check that the preschool is clean and tidy. 

●Kaiako will ensure that all cleaning products are available to complete cleaning requirements. 

●Notices in the kitchen will inform kaiako of the correct cloths and procedures to use for the specific job. 

●Kitchen and then learning are are cleaned first followed by bathroom area by cleaner after preschool has finished.

●All cleaning products are clearly named with products not in use being stored in a child proof cupboard outside.

●If playdough is put out, it will be stored in a plastic playdough container and will only be used by the tamariki that week. All playdough equipment will be washed regularly.

●The outside environment is maintained as part of the outside daily checklist. This ensures that the sandpit is raked, and the environment is clear of rubbish prior to the tamariki being outside. 

●The preschool uses, where possible, environment friendly cleaning products to complete its cleaning requirements. 

●As part of the Montessori approach to learning, tamariki will learn about taking care of the environment. This is part of the practical life experiences. They will be encouraged to clean up after themselves. They will also be encouraged to keep the environment tidy by putting away the learning experiences they have been working with.

 

In each of the following areas kaiako will use the appropriate products/items

Kitchen:

Green dish cloths – kitchen and cleaning tables after kai

Purple:  tables – used by Tamariki to set up kai table

Yellow: facecloths

 

Toilet Area:

Blue cloths/mop

Light blue separate equipment will be used to clean the toilets and basins

 

Art Area:

Turquoise cloths and blue sponges for art easel and tables if used for artwork

 

Bathrooms:

Spill kit container is kept in bathroom to be used when a child has soiled or vomited.

 

Tables + Chairs:

All purpose environmental cleaner and appropriate cloths are used for regular cleaning throughout the day

 

Fish Tank:

Grey cloths will be used to clean out the fish tank

Spilled Water: Navy towels are kept on the practical life shelf for Tamariki to clean major water spills. Pink cloth in basket for walking on the line is used for cleaning water should it be spilled

 

Procedures for hygiene in the toilet areas or other soiled areas:

●Rubber gloves will be worn at all times for cleaning the toilets. 

●Diluted disinfectant will be used in the toilets.

●Bleach mixes will be made up when required to the measurements on the bottle and to the manufacturer’s recommendations and Ministry requirements. Dilute the bleach with water to make a 0.5% hypochlorite solution. Wear gloves when handling undiluted bleach. For toilet cleaning use a product that contains at least 0.5% hypochlorite. 

 

Date:

 

Review Date:

 

Signed:

 

Consultation:

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