Nappy Change Area Cleaning Checklist for Childcare Centres

Set up the area to make cleaning easy

• A change table with an impervious, intact surface — replace split or cracked mats
• A hand basin within reach, separate from food preparation and bottle areas
• Gloves, wipes, paper liners, detergent and disinfectant within the educator’s reach (and out of children’s)
• A foot-pedal nappy bin with a liner, emptied at least daily
• Steps or a safe lifting method so children can climb up with help

After every nappy change

1. 1

   Dispose

   Put the nappy, wipes and paper liner in the pedal bin. Remove gloves carefully and bin them.

2. 2

   Hand hygiene for the child

   Wash or wipe the child’s hands, dress them and return them to the room.

3. 3

   Clean the surface

   Clean the change mat with detergent and water (or a detergent wipe) and dry it.

4. 4

   Disinfect if soiled

   If urine, faeces or blood touched the surface, disinfect after cleaning using your service’s disinfectant at the label strength.

5. 5

   Hand hygiene for the educator

   Wash hands with soap and running water, even if gloves were worn.

End-of-day nappy area clean

Weekly and termly

• Weekly: move the change table and bins to clean behind and underneath; wipe walls to adult height.
• Termly: inspect mats and replace any with splits; deep clean and descale basins; check sealant and grout.

Common mistakes

Educators handle after-change cleaning; our childcare cleaners take care of the full end-of-day nappy area clean and bin sanitising every night.