Having children in pre-school is not only a joy for the kids, it's also a necessity for parents who want to make ends meet. But something that often disrupts this flow is the myriad of illnesses that seem to constantly circulate in preschools. One day your child has just learned to build the world's tallest Lego tower, the next you're sitting in the health centre with a feverish tie and an appointment to check your ears. The VAB marathon is a reality for many parents of young children. But there is one key to reducing these contagions: proper cleaning.
Infections thrive where children play
We all know how it works - children play, move around, share things (and germs), and without them realising it, little unwelcome guests spread between them. Pre-schools are an infection trap like no other, and it's no wonder. Young children don't have the same hygiene habits as adults, which makes it easier for bacteria and viruses to spread.
One way to break this chain is through thorough and frequent cleaning. Surfaces that children frequently come into contact with, such as toys, tables and chairs, need to be cleaned daily to reduce the risk of spreading infections. The same goes for door handles, taps and other high-touch areas. A clean working environment is equally important for adults to keep sickness absence down. Ask your centre how often they wash toys and how they ensure that surfaces are kept clean. It can provide an insight into what practices are in place, and whether improvements are needed.
VAB and pre-school cleaning
We know that colds and stomach flu can't always be avoided completely - especially in kindergartens. But by maintaining high standards of cleaning, we can definitely reduce the number of cases of illness. And with fewer sick children comes fewer days off work for parents. A win-win for everyone involved, right?
According to statistics from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency, the number of VAB days tends to skyrocket during the autumn months. During October and November, when colds and flu start, it is common for VAB applications to triple compared to summer figures. As the days get darker, children's immune systems are also tested by the many viruses that circulate. The pre-school environment plays a big role here, and better hygiene can be part of the solution to this recurring problem.
Pre-school cleaning that prevents illness
Preschool cleaning requires not only time, but also the right skills. It's not enough to just wipe down surfaces quickly - you need cleaning products and techniques that really kill bacteria. Our Hello Clean cleaners are experts in this. We make sure that every corner is properly cleaned and that pre-schools maintain high hygiene standards, every day.
To protect the health of children and staff, it's important to be thorough, and that's why we focus on frequent cleaning that really makes a difference. Young children spend large parts of their days at pre-school, so keeping the environment as clean as possible is one of the best investments to keep them healthy.
Read more about our pre-school cleaning here
Less VAB, more lego
Last but not least, think about the little time you can save when you don't have to book that VAB time and can instead get a call from the preschool telling you about your child's latest construction. With a cleaner preschool environment, we reduce the risk of illness, and more days can be spent building tall towers instead of wiping noses.
So a really good clean is not just an investment in a fresher environment - it's an investment in children's health and parents' time. So next time you're thinking about how to keep your nursery clean, remember that every cleaned surface can actually make a difference in reducing the spread of infections and days lost to illness.
Small changes, big impact - and maybe more Lego towers to boot!
