Free Resources
Printable childcare cleaning checklists and templates for Melbourne centre directors — daily, weekly, monthly, term break, and toy sanitisation. All templates align with NQS Quality Area 2 & 3 and NHMRC Childcare Cleaning Guidelines.
Childcare Cleaning Checklists & Templates
These free childcare and daycare cleaning checklists are designed for use by centre directors, approved providers, room leaders, and cleaning teams across Melbourne. Each template can be printed, completed by your cleaning team after every service, signed, and filed as NQS compliance documentation. All templates reflect current NHMRC Childcare Cleaning Guidelines, NQS Quality Area 2 and 3 requirements, and National Regulations Section 77 obligations.
Daily Cleaning Checklist
All rooms, surfaces, bathrooms, nappy change areas, and kitchens. Required after every session under NQS QA3 and NHMRC guidelines.
Weekly Cleaning Checklist
Deeper tasks not required daily — toy sanitisation, high ledge dusting, appliance wipe-downs, window cleaning, and drain checks.
Monthly Cleaning Checklist
Monthly maintenance tasks — pest prevention checks, deep grout cleaning, curtain laundering, equipment inspections, and air filter cleaning.
Term Break Deep Clean Checklist
Comprehensive floor-to-ceiling deep clean checklist for every school term break. Includes ACECQA documentation sign-off fields.
Toy Sanitisation Checklist
Age-group specific toy sanitisation protocol covering plastic, soft, wooden, and sensory toys. Aligned with NHMRC and GECA product requirements.
Need a custom programme?
Golden Star provides a written, facility-specific cleaning programme as part of every free site assessment — not a generic template.
Childcare Cleaning Checklists — Print & Use
Click the print button on any checklist to open a print-ready version. Complete one checklist per cleaning session, have the cleaner sign and date it, and file with your centre's NQS compliance documentation.
Daily Childcare Cleaning Checklist
- Vacuum all carpeted areas
- Mop all hard floor surfaces
- Disinfect all tables and chairs
- Wipe down door handles and light switches
- Remove and dispose of waste — bin liners replaced
- Wipe skirting boards and window sills
- Disinfect change table — TGA-listed product
- Clean and disinfect sink, taps, and basin surround
- Mop floor with disinfectant solution
- Empty and re-line nappy disposal bin
- Restock gloves, sanitiser, and liners
- Vacuum or mop floor
- Wipe cot frames and sleep surfaces
- Disinfect door handles and light switches
- Remove soiled linen for laundering
- Scrub and disinfect all toilet bowls and seats
- Clean and disinfect all sinks and taps
- Wipe soap dispensers and paper towel holders
- Clean mirrors and splashback tiles
- Mop floor with disinfectant solution
- Empty and re-line all bins
- Restock soap, paper towels, and toilet paper
- Clean and sanitise all benchtops
- Wipe exterior of all appliances
- Clean sink and drain area
- Sweep and mop floor — food-safe product
- Empty and re-line food waste and general bins
- Wipe down high chair trays (if applicable)
Weekly Childcare Cleaning Checklist
- Dust all high ledges, shelving, and tops of furniture
- Clean all windows and glass doors (interior)
- Wipe down all wall-mounted equipment
- Clean and disinfect all storage containers
- Inspect and wipe air vent covers
- Check and replace any damaged floor mats
- Hard plastic toys — GECA-certified sanitiser, air dry
- Wooden toys — enzyme-based wipe, fully dried
- Soft toys — laundered at 60°C minimum
- Sensory bins — emptied, cleaned, and refilled
- Book surfaces — wiped with soft damp cloth
- Clean interior of microwave, oven, and fridge
- Descale kettle and coffee machine
- Clean dishwasher filter and door seals
- Degrease rangehood filters
- Scrub floor drain and surrounding area
- Descale all tapware and showerheads
- Scrub tile grout — mould prevention treatment
- Clean inside all cupboards and storage
- Check and clear floor drain
- Hose down hard outdoor surfaces
- Wipe outdoor furniture and equipment
- Inspect sandpit — remove debris and rake level
- Check outdoor bin areas and surrounding surfaces
Monthly Childcare Cleaning Checklist
- Clean and inspect all ceiling fans and light fittings
- Replace or clean all HVAC air filters
- Clean exterior of all windows
- Inspect and clean all door seals and hinges
- Pest prevention inspection — report any evidence
- Check all first aid kit contents — record expiry dates
- Steam clean or launder all fabric cushions and mats
- Launder all curtains and blinds where accessible
- Inspect mattresses and sleep mats — replace if worn
- Check and clean under all furniture
- Pressure wash all hard outdoor surfaces
- Inspect and clean all gutters and downpipes
- Check sandpit sand condition — refresh if needed
- Inspect all outdoor play equipment for damage
- Clear garden beds, check for hazards
- Deep clean all cupboard interiors
- Check and rotate all food and supply stocks
- Descale all water-related appliances fully
- Clean behind and underneath all kitchen appliances
- Review and update cleaning product register
Term Break Deep Clean Checklist
- Wash all ceilings and cornices
- Wash all walls — marks, scuffs, and stains removed
- Deep scrub all skirting boards
- Steam clean all carpets
- Strip and re-polish all hard floors
- Clean all air conditioning units and vents
- Clean all blinds or launder all curtains
- Clean all light fittings and switches
- Disinfect all cot frames — TGA-listed product
- Steam clean or replace all sleep mats and mattresses
- Launder all mattress covers and protectors
- Check ventilation — clean all vents
- Pull out and deep clean behind all appliances
- Full oven deep clean — racks and internal surfaces
- Degrease and clean all exhaust systems
- Clean all tile grout and splashbacks
- Check and clean all plumbing under sink
- All plastic toys — GECA sanitiser, air-dry minimum 2 hrs
- All soft toys — launder 60°C, tumble dry fully
- All wooden toys — enzyme wipe, sun-dry minimum 4 hrs
- Sensory bins — full empty, clean, sanitise, refill
- Remove and dispose of any cracked or worn toys
- Pressure wash all outdoor hard surfaces
- Disinfect all outdoor play equipment
- Clear and clean all gutters and downpipes
- Rake and inspect sandpit — add fresh sand if needed
- Inspect fences, gates, and safety barriers
Toy Sanitisation Checklist
- Pre-wash with warm soapy water — GECA-certified detergent
- Apply GECA-certified sanitiser — contact time per label
- Rinse thoroughly with clean water
- Air dry completely before returning to play area
- Discard any cracked, broken, or irreparably soiled items
- Wipe with enzyme-based, child-safe cleaner — damp cloth only
- Do not submerge in water — warping and mould risk
- Sun-dry for minimum 4 hours before return to room
- Inspect for splinters or cracks — remove if found
- Machine wash on hot cycle — minimum 60°C
- Use fragrance-free, child-safe laundry detergent
- Tumble dry fully — no residual moisture
- Inspect seams and eyes post-wash — discard if damaged
- Do not return to under-2 rooms until fully cooled
- Empty and dispose of sensory materials
- Scrub bin interior — GECA-certified detergent
- Rinse thoroughly and air dry upturned
- Refill with fresh materials before next session
- Water play bins — empty daily, sanitise weekly
Childcare Cleaning Checklist — FAQ
Questions about using these childcare cleaning checklist templates for NQS compliance and ACECQA assessments.
For questions about cleaning compliance, NQS documentation, or to arrange a free site assessment, visit our FAQ page or contact our team. See all childcare cleaning services →
Get a Written Childcare Cleaning Programme for Your Centre
These templates are a starting point. A professional Golden Star childcare cleaning programme is tailored specifically to your facility size, room layout, session schedule, enrolment numbers, and ACECQA audit history — not a generic template. Includes NQS compliance documentation, GECA-certified products, and Working With Children Check verified staff across 25 Melbourne suburbs.