Run a Daycare in Massachusetts? Let's Talk About Keeping It Super Clean (and Passing Inspection!)
- Carlos Stanza
- Apr 27
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Alright, if you're running a daycare, preschool, or early learning center anywhere in New England, you already know the drill. It's not just about keeping things tidy for the parents' sake (though that's important!). It's about the health and safety of those little bundles of energy, and it's about nailing those licensing inspections that seem to have eyes everywhere.
I've spent years working with amazing daycare folks all over Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire, and let me tell you, the pressure is on. One little slip-up during an inspection can mean some serious headaches – fines, having to fix stuff ASAP, or even getting shut down. Nobody wants that!
That's where a good professional cleaning crew, like us here at Jan-Ex Commercial Cleaning, becomes your secret weapon. We're not just about making the place sparkle; we're about helping you tick all those boxes for the state, keep everyone healthy, and keep your doors open. So, let's chat about how we make that happen.
So What Are Inspectors Really Looking For When They Visit Your Daycare?
Ever get that little jolt of nerves when someone official walks through your door, clipboard in hand? You’re definitely not alone—and trust me, I’ve seen it happen in daycares all over New England. The folks from agencies like the Massachusetts EEC, Rhode Island DHS, Connecticut OEC, and New Hampshire DHHS show up with a mission: to make sure your daycare is a clean, healthy, and truly safe place for kids. And they don’t just do a casual walkthrough. They’ve got a serious checklist—and THEY DO NOT PLAY.
Here’s what they’re looking for:
Are things actually clean?
Not “looks okay if you squint” clean. We’re talking floors, toys, tables, mats, doorknobs—the stuff kids touch with their hands, mouths, and everything else. Germs love to hang out in those spots, and inspectors know it.
Are diapering stations and bathrooms properly sanitized?
This is huge. They want to see that you’re disinfecting between every use, not just wiping down surfaces at the end of the day. One bad diaper change area = major strike against you.
Are cleaning chemicals safely stored?
Inspectors are looking for locked cabinets, correct labels, and childproof storage. No bleach spray sitting out on the counter. Even “natural” cleaners have to be properly secured.
Do you have a written cleaning plan—and can you show it?
This is where a lot of facilities stumble. It’s not enough to say “we clean every day.” Inspectors want to see clear, documented cleaning schedules, who’s responsible, what’s being cleaned, and when. Bonus points if you can show daily logs with signatures.
How do you handle emergencies?
If a kid throws up, has an accident, or there’s a sudden spill of blood or bodily fluids, what’s your plan? Inspectors want to know you have protocols (and backup cleaning support) in place for urgent sanitization.
If you mess up an inspection, the consequences are real and fast.
You could get hit with hefty fines.
You’ll be required to correct issues immediately—sometimes before you’re allowed to reopen a room or entire facility.
You could face a temporary shutdown—and in this business, even a few days closed can be devastating.
Inspection results can become public record, and today’s parents do their homework.
(One Google search and suddenly, your center’s reputation takes a big hit.)
Why Bringing in the Cleaning Pros is a Game Changer for Your New England Daycare
Here's the thing I've learned: a solid cleaning service like Jan-Ex isn't just "nice to have" – it seriously levels up your compliance game. We help you stay ready for those inspections, so you're not scrambling at the last minute.
Think of us as your behind-the-scenes compliance partners. Here's how we help:
Real Plans You Can Show Off: Inspectors love seeing documented proof. We keep track of all the cleaning, so you've got the logs to back it up.
Disinfecting That Actually Works (Safely!): We don't just spray and walk away. We use kid-friendly, EPA-approved disinfectants the right way to actually kill those germs.
Chemicals Under Lock and Key: We make sure all the cleaning stuff is labeled clearly and locked away safely – no worries about little ones getting into anything they shouldn't.
Help When Things Hit the Fan (24/7!): Got a stomach bug going around? Someone got sick during naptime? We're on call to do a deep clean, fast, to help stop it from spreading.
How Jan-Ex Helps New England Daycares Ace Inspections (and Sleep Better at Night)
Here's a peek at how we work with daycares across New England:
Cleaning Plans Built Just for Daycares: We know exactly what inspectors look for – from the floors to the nap mats. We clean it all.
Kid-Safe is Our Promise: We never use harsh chemicals around the kids. Everything we use is effective but safe for little ones.
Clean, Organized, and Always Ready: We make sure chemical storage is safe and set up cleaning schedules that are easy to see, so you always look inspection-ready.
Emergency Cleanups? We're On It: When you need a rapid deep clean, we're available 24/7.
Quick Look: How Jan-Ex Tackles Top Daycare Violations in New England
Common Problem | How Jan-Ex Solves It |
Grimy toys and surfaces | Scheduled, thorough daily disinfection |
Messy bathrooms & diaper areas | Deep cleaning and hospital-grade sanitization |
Unsafe chemical storage | Locked, clearly labeled, OSHA-compliant storage |
Missing cleaning logs | Detailed, easy-to-maintain documentation provided |
Illness outbreaks | 24/7 emergency deep disinfection and containment |
Brief Case Study: Helping a Haverhill MA Daycare Get Back on Track
Last year, a daycare director from Haverhill, MA called us—and you could hear the stress in her voice immediately.
They had just failed a surprise licensing inspection because of cleaning issues:
Toys and mats weren’t being sanitized properly.
Cleaning supplies weren’t stored securely.
And worst of all, they had no documented cleaning logs to prove daily sanitation was happening.
They were given 72 hours to correct the problems or face potential license suspension.
For a daycare that’s been serving the community for years, the stakes couldn’t have been higher.
At their reinspection just a few days later, they passed with flying colors! The inspector even commented that the daycare’s cleaning documentation and visible routines were “textbook examples” of what state agencies love to see. Not only did they keep their license, but they also boosted parent trust—and even picked up three new enrollments after proudly sharing their reinspection success online. That’s the kind of difference the right cleaning partner can make. At Jan-Ex, we don’t just show up with a mop and bucket—we help daycare directors and owners across New England stay licensed, stay trusted, and stay open for the families who rely on them.
Ready to Make Your New England Daycare Safer, Stronger, and Totally Compliant?
When you team up with Jan-Ex, you get more than just a clean building. You get peace of mind. You get a team that knows exactly what those inspectors are looking for in New England and how to make sure you're ready, every single day.
If you're ready to take the worry out of cleaning and focus on what really matters – your amazing kids, your dedicated staff, and your supportive families – we're here to help.
Schedule a Free Walkthrough Or shoot me an email directly at cstanza@jan-ex.com and let's make your daycare the cleanest, safest, and most trusted around!
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC).
“Licensing Regulations for Group and School Age Child Care Programs.”
Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
“Environmental Health: Guidance for Child Care Centers.”
Boston Public Health Commission.
“Safe and Healthy Childcare Environments: Best Practices for Cleaning and Sanitizing.”
“Child Care Health and Safety Requirements During Public Health Emergencies.”
Boston Globe.
“Childcare Centers in Massachusetts Face New Health and Safety Standards Post-Pandemic.”
City of Cambridge, MA.
“Public Health and Safety Guidelines for Daycares and Early Learning Centers.”
WGBH News.
“Massachusetts Childcare Centers Scramble to Meet Health Rules Amid Rising Inspections.”
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