Which surfaces should be cleaned frequently in a daycare facility?

Which surfaces should be cleaned frequently in a daycare facility?

• A. Floors only
• B. Walls only
• C. High-touch surfaces
• D. Ceilings only

Answer: (C)

Surfaces that are touched frequently by many people should be cleaned often, because germs spread most quickly through repeated contact. In a daycare, kids and staff handle doors, light switches, faucet handles, tables, chairs, toy bins, and shared play surfaces throughout the day, so these high-touch areas are the main places where cleaning and disinfection make the biggest impact in preventing illness. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces—ideally between groups and daily—reduces the chance of transmission. Floors, walls, and ceilings do need cleaning as part of routine maintenance, but they aren’t touched as often as high-touch surfaces, so they don’t require the same high-frequency cleaning.

Surfaces that are touched frequently by many people should be cleaned often, because germs spread most quickly through repeated contact. In a daycare, kids and staff handle doors, light switches, faucet handles, tables, chairs, toy bins, and shared play surfaces throughout the day, so these high-touch areas are the main places where cleaning and disinfection make the biggest impact in preventing illness. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting these surfaces—ideally between groups and daily—reduces the chance of transmission. Floors, walls, and ceilings do need cleaning as part of routine maintenance, but they aren’t touched as often as high-touch surfaces, so they don’t require the same high-frequency cleaning.