Childcare Centre Cleaning: ACECQA Requirements & What to Look For in a Cleaner

ACECQA Cleaning Requirements for Childcare Centres in NSW

Under the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations (National Law), all approved childcare providers in NSW must maintain premises, furniture, and equipment in a safe, clean, and well-maintained condition.

Specifically, Regulation 77 requires that premises are cleaned regularly and Regulation 103 requires that all furniture, materials, and equipment are safe, clean, and in good repair.

What Must Be Cleaned Daily

Food preparation and eating areas:

- All surfaces disinfected before and after meals

- High chairs and booster seats wiped with food-safe sanitiser

- Floors swept and mopped after each meal

Bathrooms and nappy change areas:

- Toilets disinfected at least twice daily

- Nappy change surfaces sanitised between each use

- Hand basins and taps cleaned and sanitised

- Floors mopped with disinfectant daily

Sleep areas:

- Cots and mattresses wiped with disinfectant

- Linen changed between each child (or after illness)

Play areas:

- Hard surfaces (tables, chairs, shelves) wiped daily

- Soft furnishings vacuumed daily

- Outdoor equipment wiped down

What Cleaning Products Are Safe for Childcare Centres?

This is where many cleaning companies get it wrong. Standard commercial cleaning chemicals — bleach-based products, strong degreasers, solvent-based cleaners — are not appropriate in childcare environments.

Look for:

- Non-toxic, biodegradable formulas with no harsh fumes

- TGA-registered disinfectants for bathrooms and nappy change areas (required for infection control)

- pH-neutral cleaners for floors and surfaces children contact

- No synthetic fragrance — many children are sensitive to strong scents

At Professional Cleaners Near Me, we use child-safe, non-toxic cleaning products throughout childcare facilities, with TGA-registered disinfectants in bathrooms and nappy areas only.

Working With Children Checks — Non-Negotiable

Any cleaner working in or around a childcare facility must hold a current Working With Children Check (WWCC) under the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012 (NSW).

This applies even if the cleaner works after hours when children are not present.

All our staff working in childcare environments hold current WWCCs and National Police Clearances. We provide copies of all documentation on request.

Choosing a Childcare Cleaning Company in Sydney — What to Check

Before hiring, ask:

1. Do all staff hold current WWCCs and Police Clearances?

2. What products do you use — are they child-safe?

3. Do you have experience with ACECQA compliance requirements?

4. Can you provide a written cleaning scope and daily checklist?

5. Are you insured to $20M public liability?

Get a childcare cleaning quote for your centre

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