How to Choose Commercial Janitorial Companies for K-12 Schools & Daycares

School districts and daycare centers are outsourcing commercial janitorial more than ever. They need to ensure facilities are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected but are seeking efficient and cost-effective solutions.

When considering a commercial janitorial company, you need to take into consideration that cleaning schools and daycare centers is a specialized process that is different from cleaning other facilities. This means not all commercial janitorial companies have the experience to meet your standards. So, what do you need to know to choose the right commercial janitorial company for your school or daycare center?  Here are some of the key things you should take into consideration.

Experience

You need to work with a company that has decades of commercial janitorial experience cleaning and disinfecting schools. Since your facility is a learning environment, the health and safety of students and staff is a priority. Therefore, you cannot afford to work with commercial janitorial companies that have to learn on the job.

Fully-Trained, Certified and Vetted Staff

The commercial janitorial company you choose should have fully-trained professional technicians that have comprehensive training on working with educational facilities to ensure you meet state requirements. They should be trained on proper techniques for cleaning and disinfecting classrooms, offices, restrooms, and athletic facilities. They should be OSHA-certified service providers and provide background checks upon request.

Range of Services

Your cleaning and disinfection demands may differ depending on class schedules and events. So, you need to work with a commercial janitorial company that can provide a range of services to handle all of your cleaning, disinfecting, and deep cleaning needs. For example, OpenWorks network of elite service providers offers:

• TotalWorksTM commercial janitorial services from expert professionals who are experienced in providing commercial cleaning and disinfection services for schools and daycare centers.
• TotalWorks services include deep cleaning and disinfection of all high-touch surfaces with EPA-approved antimicrobial disinfectants.
• InfectaGuardTM provides protection if you have had a confirmed COVID-19 case or other virus outbreak or biohazard, and includes disinfection and decontamination.
• Electrostatic spraying to sterilize and disinfect high-touch surfaces and hard-to-reach areas.
• Continuous Care is applied after surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected to provide continuous protection from bacteria and microorganisms for up to 90 days.

OpenWorks’ elite network of service providers can also provide a range of facilities services including supply replenishment, pest control, electrical and lighting, plumbing, landscape maintenance, general handyman services, and other building maintenance. This gives you a single point of contact for all facilities services and one invoice to pay so you can avoid working with multiple vendors.

Flexible Scheduling

The commercial janitorial company you choose should create a customized cleaning schedule that fits the unique needs of your school or daycare center. This includes working with you to accommodate school hours and break schedules. Disruptive cleaning services, such as carpet cleaning and hard floor care should be scheduled around vacations and breaks.

Green Clean and Low-Impact Cleaning

When it comes to disinfection, your commercial janitorial company must follow all OSHA, CDC, and EPA guidelines and use EPA-approved disinfectants and cleaning products.

Service providers should also use green cleaning products whenever possible. Green clean programs minimize the use of chemicals and improve indoor air quality to promote an environmentally-friendly environment which reduces illness and absentee rates. They should also use low-impact cleaning equipment and procedures to conserve energy and water usage and reduce wear and tear on your facility.

Quality Assurance Program

Besides day-to-day cleaning, you need to have a formal quality assurance program in place, including monthly inspections. This is an often-overlooked aspect of customer service but it is important to ensure your educational facilities are getting the attention they deserve. OpenWorks provides local and corporate oversight and accountability to assure quality as part of its commitment to providing transparency and outstanding customer service.

A Clean Educational Facility Is Essential

Schools and daycares can be a breeding ground for germs, bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens. Studies show that 22 million school days are lost each year due to cold and 38 million from the flu and teacher absences cost more than $25 billion annually. We have seen how quickly illnesses can spread across school populations when hygiene and maintenance are neglected. A clean environment in these areas is essential for students, staff, and to provide quality education services.

• Pre-Schools and Daycares
• Childcare facilities
• K-12 schools
• Charter and Private Schools
• School athletic facilities

With today’s heightened awareness of viruses and bacteria, you need to ensure your students, staff, and visitors have a safe and healthy environment.

Professional Commercial Janitorial Services

OpenWorks’ elite network of service providers is guided by a simple philosophy--provide professional commercial janitorial services and disinfection services that meet and exceed infection control standards to keep your facility clean, safe, and healthy. A relentless focus on exceeding customer expectations has helped us achieve a 98% customer retention rate in an industry where the standard retention rate is 45%.

Contact OpenWorks today for an estimate or to learn more about commercial janitorial services for your school district or daycares.