Cost & Scheduling Guide: Commercial Cleaning for Childcare Centres in Metropolitan Victoria

This guide gives centre managers, proprietors and facilities coordinators an up-to-date, practical reference on budgeting and scheduling professional cleaning for early childhood education and care services in the Melbourne metropolitan area. It covers typical cost ranges, recommended scheduling, infection-control expectations, regulatory touchpoints and common add-on services so you can make informed procurement decisions.

Why specialised cleaning for childcare centres matters

Childcare environments require a higher standard of hygiene than many general commercial spaces because of the heightened vulnerability of children to infectious diseases and because toys and soft surfaces are frequently handled. Engaging a professional commercial cleaning provider experienced in early childhood settings reduces the risk of outbreaks, ensures compliance with regulatory guidance and preserves the learning environment.

Primary considerations when budgeting: cost drivers

Costs vary depending on:

1. Centre size (total square metres and number of rooms)
2. Cleaning frequency (daily, multiple times per day, or weekly deep cleans)
3. Scope of work (floors, bathrooms, kitchens, toys, linen, high-touch surfaces)
4. Hours required and whether cleaning occurs after-hours or during the day
5. Geographic location and travel time in Metropolitan Victoria
6. Specialised infection-control requirements (e.g., after an outbreak)
7. Use of eco-friendly or hospital-grade disinfectants and specialised equipment

Typical pricing benchmarks (Melbourne metropolitan area)

These figures are indicative ranges for 2025–2026 market expectations in Metropolitan Victoria. Use them to form a baseline budget; always get written quotes based on an on-site assessment.

• Per visit (small centre, standard daily clean): AUD 120–AUD 350 per visit. Smaller centres with limited rooms sit at the lower end; larger centres requiring multiple staff will be higher.
• Per hour (per cleaner): AUD 35–AUD 70 per hour. Specialist childcare-trained operatives or after-hours rates can be higher (AUD 45–AUD 90/hr in some cases).
• Per square metre (where used): AUD 0.08–AUD 0.45 per m² depending on frequency and scope (higher for frequent sanitisation or deep cleans).
• Deep clean / outbreak clean (one-off): AUD 350–AUD 2,500+ depending on size and intensity (fogging, sanitisation of toys and soft surfaces will add cost).
• Weekly comprehensive clean (includes toy sanitation & laundry): AUD 250–AUD 900 per week.

Notes: metropolitan cleaners often offer package pricing (e.g., fixed weekly fee) that can reduce per-visit cost. Rates can vary with industrial agreements, publicly tendered contracts and added insurances required by some childcare providers.

How to structure cleaning schedules

Design a schedule that balances safety, disruption and cost-effectiveness. Here are recommended elements for a standard weekly program.

1. Daily tasks (every day): rubbish removal, nappy-change area sanitation, high-touch surface disinfection (door handles, hand-rails, tabletops), bathroom cleaning, kitchen/food-prep area wipe-downs, floors vacuumed/mopped as appropriate.
2. Multiple-times-per-day tasks (as required): spot cleaning of spills, disinfecting high-touch areas after meal times, cleaning of heavily used activity areas. These tasks can be performed by staff or by an agreement with the cleaner for additional short visits.
3. Weekly tasks: detailed toy sanitation (rotating toy lists for full wash), cleaning under furniture, full bathroom deep clean, cleaning of blinds and high dusting in playrooms.
4. Monthly tasks: window cleaning (internal), steam cleaning of soft furnishings, detailed kitchen equipment clean.
5. Quarterly or biannual deep cleans: carpet steam extraction, upholstery cleaning, air-conditioning vent cleaning, full sanitisation (especially useful before influenza season or after an outbreak).

After-hours vs daytime cleaning — pros and cons

Both options are used across childcare centres. Consider the following:

• After-hours cleaning: Minimises disruption and eliminates need to cordon areas during operation. Often preferred for noisy tasks and floor machine use. May attract a small premium for night-shift staff or travel.
• Daytime cleaning: Useful for high-touch surface disinfection between sessions and spot cleans. Allows cleaning staff to collaborate closely with centre staff to target problem areas. Can require staggered work to avoid child contact and minimise disruption.

Staffing and rostering considerations

When contracting cleaning services, ensure the provider demonstrates:

1. Appropriate worker screening (police checks, WWCC where applicable) — many centres require Working With Children Checks for anyone who may be on-site when children are present.
2. Induction and training specifically for childcare environments, including infection control and toy sanitation protocols.
3. Clear rostering so the same staff attend regularly — consistency improves quality and safety.
4. Substitute staffing plans to maintain service levels during leave or absences.

Infection control standards & regulatory guidance (Victorian context)

Key references to align to in Metropolitan Victoria:

• Victorian Department of Health infection control guidance — for notifiable illnesses, outbreak response and sanitisation expectations.
• Australian Government Department of Health and the Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) — provide national guidance on managing infectious diseases in education and care settings.
• Victorian Department of Education and local councils — may issue specific health, safety and compliance requirements for funded services or council-run preschools.
• National Quality Framework (NQF) — the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) sets the overarching quality standards. Cleaning contributes to meeting health and safety elements of the NQF.
• Working With Children Checks (WWCC) — cleaners who enter while children are present may require appropriate checks under Victorian rules.

Helpful practices drawn from these sources include maintaining a cleaning log, documenting cleaning products used, and having an outbreak-response plan which specifies enhanced cleaning protocols and communication processes with parents and public health authorities.

Australian standards and best-practice references

While there isn’t a single mandatory Australian Standard exclusively for childcare cleaning, the following standards and guidelines are commonly referenced by industry:

• AS/NZS ISO 45001 (formerly AS/NZS 4801) — occupational health and safety management systems guidance for service providers.
• AS/NZS 4146 (where applicable) — related to laundries and textile cleaning if your service includes linen processing.
• Manufacturer instructions for disinfectants — always follow label contact times and dilution instructions.

Common add-on services and their typical cost impact

These services are often optional but recommended at various frequencies depending on risk tolerance and centre policy:

1. Toy and soft-surface cleaning: Regular washing, sanitisation or rotation. Adds AUD 40–AUD 250 per service depending on volume.
2. Fogging / electrostatic disinfection: Useful during outbreaks; one-off cost typically AUD 250–AUD 1,000+ depending on size.
3. Steam cleaning of carpets/upholstery: AUD 120–AUD 600 per visit depending on area.
4. Floor restoration (polish/strip & seal): Depending on flooring this is periodic and can cost AUD 800–AUD 3,500 for larger areas.
5. Linen/laundry services: Outsourced linen can be charged per kilogram or per collection/delivery, often adding AUD 50–AUD 200 weekly.

Procurement tips: tendering and contract clauses to consider

When selecting a supplier:

1. Require an on-site assessment and a written scope of works (SOW) that lists tasks, frequencies and excluded items.
2. Ask for evidence of public liability and workers’ compensation insurance; many childcare providers require higher insurance limits.
3. Require staff screening details (police checks/WWCC) and proof of relevant training.
4. Include KPIs and a cleaning log requirement — e.g., completed checklist per room per visit.
5. Include outbreak response fees and a clear price for emergency/after-hours call-outs.
6. Consider clauses for environmentally preferable products if the centre has sustainability policies.

Example schedule and estimated annual cost — simple model

Model assumptions: medium-sized centre ~350 m², 5 days/week standard cleaning (one visit per weekday), weekly toy sanitation, monthly deep clean and quarterly deep steam.

• Daily visit (30–60 minutes): AUD 200/week → AUD 10,400/year
• Weekly toy sanitation: AUD 80/week → AUD 4,160/year
• Monthly deep clean: AUD 350/month → AUD 4,200/year
• Quarterly steam & ventilation check: AUD 600/quarter → AUD 2,400/year

Estimated annual total: ~AUD 21,160 (indicative). Adjust upwards or downwards based on centre layout, intensity of services and local market rates.

Practical on-site tips to reduce costs without reducing quality

1. Maintain a daily basic tidy performed by centre staff (spot mop, immediate spill clean) to reduce contractor time on basic tasks.
2. Schedule larger machinery (buffing, scrubbing) less frequently when traffic is low.
3. Use toy-rotation systems so full toy sanitation can be done in stages rather than all at once.
4. Bundle services with other nearby centres to negotiate reduced travel and volume discounts.

Selecting the right provider: checklist

Before signing a contract, verify each of the following:

1. Insurance, WWCCs and staff training records
2. References from other childcare centres in Metropolitan Victoria
3. Ability to supply a detailed cleaning schedule and logs
4. Transparent pricing for base services and add-ons
5. Clear outbreak-response capability and documented procedures

For more details on practical cleaning scopes tailored to childcare and to request a tailored quote, consider contacting specialised providers who list childcare expertise and documented cleaning programs. For example, local specialist providers can outline childcare cleaning programs and pricing that align with Victorian regulatory expectations — see a specialist childcare cleaning offering here: childcare cleaning services.

For broader industry perspectives on facility services and case studies you can reference regional facility management content such as: https://www.citywidefacilitysolutions.com/blog/

Frequently asked questions

Do cleaners need a Working With Children Check?

Yes — if cleaners will be on-site while children are present, centres commonly require a WWCC or similar screening. Confirm with your local council or Department of Education requirements.

How often should toys be sanitised?

High-touch toys should be cleaned daily or rotated and sanitised weekly. Soft toys and dress-up items should be laundered regularly and removed from service if soiled.

Is fogging recommended?

Fogging or electrostatic disinfection can be effective during outbreaks or when rapid turnaround sanitisation is needed. It should complement — not replace — manual cleaning and the method and product must be safe for use around children (residual times, ventilation and re-entry periods must be strictly followed).

Final notes — compliance and continuous improvement

Maintaining a safe, clean childcare environment in Metropolitan Victoria is an ongoing process that requires clear contracts, trained staff, documented cleaning logs and alignment with Victorian health guidance and the NQF. Budgeting accurately and selecting a provider that understands the childcare sector will reduce compliance risk and improve health outcomes for children and staff.

If you’d like, a next step is to develop a centre-specific scope of works template and a simple tender form you can send to local providers — this will help obtain comparable quotes and ensure service levels meet your expectations.