Why WWCC matters for childcare cleaning

The Working with Children Check (WWCC) is a legal and practical requirement for any person undertaking child-related work in Victoria. That includes cleaners who regularly access rooms where children are present. A WWCC demonstrates that a worker has been screened for relevant criminal history and is considered suitable to work with children under 18 years.

Engaging cleaners who are WWCC-cleared is not only about legal compliance — it also reassures families, staff and regulators that the service takes child safety seriously. Many early childhood services and councils require verification of WWCCs before any contractor or casual worker starts on site.

Key certifications and qualifications to expect

When assessing childcare cleaning providers in Melbourne, ensure staff hold the following (or that the provider has equivalent policies and records):

1. Current WWCC for all staff who will be on site or in child-accessible areas.
2. Infection-control and hygiene training specific to early childhood settings (often referencing Victorian Department of Health and ACECQA guidance).
3. Current first aid and CPR certificates for on-site staff where required by the service’s policy.
4. Workplace Health & Safety (WHS) training and documented safe work method statements (SWMS) for cleaning tasks.
5. Training in safe handling and correct dilution of child-safe disinfectants and cleaning agents.
6. Vaccination policy and evidence of seasonal vaccination programs where relevant (many centres require staff vaccinations for influenza and other communicable diseases).

Cleaning standards and best practice for childcare centres

Childcare cleaning goes beyond routine office tidying. It must adhere to childcare regulations, infection-control guidance and practical daily routines that reduce cross-infection risk among young children. Best-practice cleaning standards include:

• Daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces (tables, door handles, light switches) with child-safe disinfectants.
• Frequent cleaning and rotation of toys — with immediate isolation and cleaning of toys contaminated by bodily fluids.
• Strict bathroom and nappy-change-area sanitation regimes, including immediate cleaning after each incident and scheduled deep-cleans.
• Cleaning schedules that specify tasks by frequency (hourly/ daily / weekly / monthly / quarterly) and record-keeping to show compliance.
• Use of HEPA-filter vacuums where possible and appropriate ventilation practices to support indoor air quality.
• Clear protocols for cleaning following infectious disease cases (including confirmed COVID-19 cases) aligned to Victorian Department of Health guidance.

COVID-19 and ongoing infectious-disease considerations

Although COVID-19 is no longer treated with emergency-level restrictions, evidence-based cleaning remains vital in childcare settings. Providers should follow Victorian Department of Health guidance for cleaning and waste disposal, and maintain documented procedures for:

1. Enhanced cleaning of shared spaces during outbreaks or confirmed cases.
2. Appropriate use of disinfectants effective against viruses and safe for use around children (fragrance-free, low-irritant formulations where possible).
3. Rapid response cleaning procedures for spills of bodily fluids, with documented waste management and laundry processes.

Cleaning companies that stay current with public health advice and maintain written cleaning-disinfection protocols will better support centre operators during outbreaks.

Environmental and child-safe product use

Many childcare centres prefer environmentally responsible and low-toxicity cleaning products to reduce chemical exposure for young children. When evaluating providers, look for:

• Use of child-safe, Ecolabel or low-VOC cleaning products.
• Clear product safety data sheets (SDS) and staff training on safe use and correct dilution.
• Policies on reducing fragrances and aerosols that can irritate children with asthma or sensitivities.
• Alternative techniques (steam cleaning, microfibre systems) that reduce chemical use but maintain hygiene efficacy.

How to choose the right WWCC-cleared childcare cleaner in Melbourne

Choosing a cleaning partner involves more than price. Use this checklist to evaluate prospective providers:

1. Verify that every staff member who will enter child-accessible areas holds a current WWCC and that the company conducts ongoing checks.
2. Ask for documented cleaning schedules and records (daily logs, incident reports, periodic deep-clean records).
3. Confirm infection-control training and request copies of relevant certificates for supervisors and team leaders.
4. Check their product list and request SDS for frequently used disinfectants. Prefer low-toxicity, child-safe options where possible.
5. Request references from other childcare centres in Melbourne and evidence of compliance with Children’s Services Regulations or ACECQA standards.
6. Confirm insurance cover — public liability and professional indemnity — and request evidence of currency.
7. Ensure they provide a formal handover and communication process for incidents (spills, infectious cases) and for regular site feedback.

Top-quality childcare cleaning providers and notable options in Melbourne

Melbourne has a range of specialist providers offering WWCC-cleared childcare cleaning. When shortlisting, look for companies that explicitly state their childcare experience, provide documented policies and make WWCC verification simple for centre managers.

Below are some notable approaches and providers often used by childcare services in Melbourne. This list is representative rather than exhaustive — always validate credentials and ask for on-site references before signing contracts.

1. Local specialist childcare cleaning companies

   Several Melbourne-based companies specialise in early childhood cleaning and develop child-specific SOPs, rostered cleaning teams, and toy-cleaning regimes. They typically train staff in infection control and maintain WWCC records for audit.

2. National cleaning firms with childcare divisions

   Larger national providers sometimes operate dedicated childcare teams to ensure consistency across multiple centres. These firms often have robust training, auditing and quality-assurance programs that meet regulatory expectations.

3. Contracted local small businesses

   Many centres engage small, trusted local cleaners who understand the centre’s routines and build strong working relationships. Ensure these smaller contractors keep up-to-date WWCC checks and provide documented cleaning schedules.

4. In-house cleaning teams

   Some larger childcare groups employ in-house cleaning staff so they can directly control training, rostering and compliance. In-house teams must still meet the same WWCC and training standards as external providers.

If you’re comparing providers, consider arranging a trial clean and asking for a detailed cleaning plan tailored to your centre’s rooms, nappy-change and food-preparation areas, and toy rotation systems.

Practical tips for managers and centre directors

To make sure your centre remains compliant and safe, implement the following practical measures:

1. Maintain a central register of staff and contractor WWCC numbers and expiry dates; check regularly and before any new worker starts.
2. Include cleaning expectations and WWCC requirements in contractor agreements and purchase orders.
3. Require daily/weekly cleaning logs and perform random site audits to confirm procedures are followed.
4. Hold quarterly meetings with your cleaning provider to review performance, incidents and any changes to public-health guidance.
5. Educate educators and administrative staff on what cleaners will and won’t do (e.g., who is responsible for toy cleaning during the day) to avoid gaps.

Where to get further guidance

Authoritative guidance includes Victorian government pages on WWCCs and child-related work, Department of Health advice on infection-control cleaning, and ACECQA information on maintaining a safe learning environment. Many cleaning providers will reference these sources in their policies and training materials.

If you’re ready to compare specialist providers, consider speaking with a company that explicitly offers tailored childcare cleaning programs and transparent WWCC practices such as childcare cleaning services — they provide centre-specific cleaning plans and documented compliance processes. For additional reading on cleaning trends and protocols across different sectors, useful third-party commentary can be found on industry blogs and resources such as StratusClean’s blog.

Checklist: Questions to ask a prospective childcare cleaner

Use this quick checklist during interviews or tender evaluations:

1. Can you provide WWCC numbers for the staff who will visit the centre?
2. Do you supply a detailed cleaning schedule and daily logbook for the centre?
3. What infection-control training do your supervisors and cleaners hold?
4. Which disinfectants and cleaning products do you use? Can you provide SDS sheets?
5. How do you handle toys that have been contaminated with bodily fluids?
6. What is your procedure for deep cleaning following an infectious-disease incident?
7. Can you provide references from other Melbourne childcare centres?
8. What insurance do you hold and can you produce certificates of currency?