Clean schools are healthy schools
A clean environment is critical for improved learning outcomes. Joanne Gilliard, CEO of Jangro, discusses the challenges posed by the annual deep clean.
Professional cleaning is especially important in schools, colleges and other educational facilities. After all, these establishments have a responsibility to keep their environment clean and safe for the children in their care.
However, schools are busy places most of the year, and can be a challenge to keep clean during term-time. Routine evening cleans ensure the basics are covered ready for the next working day, but a year filled with messy play, creative learning and sticky hands make for an accumulation of grime and bacteria.
So, whilst pupils and teachers have finished the academic year, the hard work is just beginning for cleaning operatives. Without time constraints or children being present, the long holidays provide the perfect opportunity to undertake a deep clean, and tackle those bigger, more time-consuming jobs.
In addition to the usual dusting, mopping, wiping and vacuuming, there are particular areas that require focused attention.
Sanitising surfaces
Surfaces that are frequently touched, such as tables, desks and chairs, should be thoroughly cleaned with an anti- bacterial detergent. This not only removes dirt and stains, but also eradicates harmful bacteria that could spread illness. In older children’s classrooms, the assistance of a handheld scraper, or chewing gum remover, can help scrape off and remove any gum that may have been snuck in and stuck on.
ICT suites should be targeted too. Most schools routinely incorporate computers and iPads into their teaching across all year groups, from reception onwards. Screens and buttons, frequently touched by different children’s hands, are often rife with germs.
Flawless flooring
Schools feature a variety of floor types, from carpeted classrooms to hard assembly halls. It’s important to choose the right products and correct equipment to expertly clean mud and dirt, not to mention paint, glitter and more, from them. Well-maintained floors will also last for as long as possible. Jangro has a handy Floor Pad Guide to help operatives choose the correct pad for the floor type.
28 | REGULAR
Classroom carpets will undoubtedly need a powerful shampoo to work out the dirt and grime trodden into them. Hall floors, on the other hand, are exposed to constant footfall throughout the year: school dining, assemblies, fairs, PE lessons and after school clubs. This type of hard- wearing floor is easier to keep clean than carpet, but can still benefit from some extra TLC. The school holidays are an ideal time to apply a high-quality floor sealer, or strip and re-seal the surface, to protect it.
Washrooms
All toilets and washrooms should undergo a thorough deep clean. Jangro’s Washroom Hygiene guide identifies a simple eight-step systematic approach to achieve best practice, describing the correct cleaning procedures in detail. Extra attention should also be paid to surfaces that are touched the most frequently too – door handles and cubicle locks often harbour invisible, yet harmful, germs.
Now is also a great time to think about the hand wash systems in place, and question if they encourage healthy hand washing practice. This is particularly important in schools, where children play and work in close contact with each other and infections can spread quickly and easily. Good hand hygiene behaviour helps prevent this, thereby reducing absenteeism and improving learning outcomes.
In fact, one study once showed a 50% reduction in absenteeism within primary schools after a comprehensive programme was implemented. The Jangronauts range has been designed especially with children in mind, helping them to learn about the importance of hand washing in a fun, interactive and educational way.
Implementing a deep clean is critical to ensure that educational facilities are in pristine condition and hygienically clean, ready for the autumn term. Clean schools not only keep pupils safe, but offer healthy learning environments in which to thrive.
www.jangro.net
twitter.com/TomoCleaning
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
