First Circle incorporates guidelines recommended by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for infection control in a group childcare setting. All table tops, diaper areas, toys, and school materials used by children are cleaned with a quaternary sanitizer, laundered in a washing machine, sanitized in our Zono cabinet, or washed in a dishwasher. The frequency of usage and whether the object is mouthed determine the frequency of cleaning.
Any items that come into contact with blood or other bodily fluids are cleaned thoroughly with disposable materials and a sanitizing solution. All contaminated materials and/or clothing are double-bagged and sent home or thrown away; all clean-up materials are placed in a plastic bag and disposed of.
Single-use vinyl gloves are used for toileting or diapering, handling bodily fluids (e.g., blood, runny nose), and for administering topical medications (e.g., ophthalmic ointment for conjunctivitis).
Each staff member is trained in the above Infection Control Procedures upon hiring and annually thereafter, and cleaning protocols are posted in each classroom.
In addition to the regular cleaning listed above, First Circle employs a professional cleaning company to clean the building nightly, including sanitizing bathrooms and kitchen area, wiping down all furniture and fixtures, and emptying and disinfecting diaper pails and trash receptacles. The carpets are cleaned and disinfected on a quarterly basis. To minimize airborne bacteria and improve the quality of the air, each building has a REME HALO® machine installed directly into its HVAC unit. REME uses UVC light to generate airborne hydrogen peroxide, reducing allergens, viruses, bacteria, mold spores, and odors.