Classroom Sanitation

The Regional Manager and Direct Service Team will oversee and ensure that daily and weekly sanitation of the classroom will occur.

Because the EHS program includes infants and toddlers, there are additional procedures appended to this policy for EHS settings.

The janitorial service is responsible for the general cleaning of classrooms and bathrooms at the end of each day. However, in the event that it appears that the classroom/bathroom has not been thoroughly cleaned/sanitized, Direct Service Teams (DSTs) are responsible for ensuring that sanitation of the classroom and bathrooms occur prior to children entering the classroom each day. Concerns about inadequate cleaning by the janitorial staff should be reported to the Regional Manager.

Staff members are expected to refer to the manufacturer’s instructions posted on the label and in the MSDS notebook to insure that they have full understanding of proper use of any cleaning supplies used in Head Start facilities. They should also contact their Regional Manager if they feel that they need further training or have any questions about proper procedure.

1. Sanitation checklists posted in the classroom should be used to insure that laundering, cleaning, sanitizing and disinfection is occurring according to schedule.
2. All cleaning materials must be stored out of reach of children.
3. All bottles must be labeled with the manufacturer’s label.
4. Dilution of J512 and Alpha HP will occur only at approved Dilution Stations (Central, Brattain, Junction City, Howard, Delight Valley and Whiteaker). No concentrates of any cleaning agents will be stored in classroom areas. Staff members are not authorized to use Dilution Stations until they have been trained to do so.

1. The food-safe sanitizer (J512) should be utilized in kitchen areas, and on any mouthed toys. For full sanitizing effect, the area should be cleaned first (soap and water or spray and wipe) and then sprayed again (spray and leave to air dry) and allowed to air dry for 10 minutes.
2. Each class will have a clearly labeled bucket to put toys and other items that have been mouthed or soiled during class time.
3. All items in the bucket will be cleaned in the kitchen sanitizer if at all possible. If that is not possible they should be first cleaned with soap and water and then sprayed with J512 at the end of each day.
4. Toothbrush holder will be cleaned once a month, or whenever toothpaste is visible on the holder.

1. The OSHA approved blood-borne pathogen disinfectant (Alpha HP) should be used for cleanup of any blood or body fluids, in the bathrooms, on the changing tables, on all bathroom doorknobs, and as a general cleaner on surfaces that are not used for food or food preparation. For full disinfecting effect the area should be cleaned first (spray and wipe) and then sprayed again (spray and leave to air dry) and allowed to air dry for 10 minutes.
2. For large blood or body fluid spills, a clumping agent (D-Vour, Red-Z) or paper towels should be used first to clean up the bulk of the material. Then Alpha HP must be used to disinfect the area afterwards- insuring that the area is wet for at least 10 minutes before wiping dry with a paper towel. Gloves must be worn when cleaning any blood or body fluid spill as well as when cleaning in the bathroom. Health/Safety Consultant should be notified of blood or body fluid spills as soon as possible.
3. All classroom toys (non-mouthed) that are used on a daily basis should be disinfected (Alpha HP) at least once a week. Small plastic toys can be placed in the sanitizing dishwasher to be cleaned or the toys can be sprayed and cleaned with disinfectant cleaner Alpha HP and allowed to air dry. Visibly soiled toys should be cleaned first with soap and water and than disinfected with Alpha HP.

1. Toys that cannot be washed, sanitized or laundered shall not be used in EHS settings.
2. Mouthed Toys used in EHS settings should be designed to enable them to be thoroughly disinfected in the sanitizing dishwasher. For any toys that can not be placed in the sanitizing dishwasher, item must be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, and then sanitized with food safe sanitizer J-512. Items should then be allowed to air dry for a minimum of ten minutes.
3. Cloth toys should be laundered in washing machine at least monthly, and more frequently dependent on use. If they cannot be laundered in washing machine, they must be washed in warm soapy water for at least 1 minute and allowed to air dry.
4. Infant Feeding Chair safety straps must be washed and sanitized weekly and as needed. If plastic seat insert can be removed for cleaning, it should be run through the sanitizing dishwasher.

This policy complies with Head Start Performance Standard 45 CFR Section1304.22.
It has been approved by Policy Council: June 1997. May 2010
Updated August 2002. May 2010. February 2016. August 2016
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