Spotless Guide to Cleaning Schools and Colleges
How important is cleaning to your establishment?
Pupils, students, parents and teachers all expect a clean environment as an absolute minimum.
It gives off a feeling of negativity and indifference if the toilets are filthy, the floors are uncared for and there are balls of fluff in every corner.
The ideal outcome for everyone is a motivated cleaning team who are well presented, well trained and with helpful attitude.
What is the best Shift Pattern for my Cleaning Team?
This depends on the size and requirements of each site. A cleaning company should look at all options and not be hamstrung by the status quo. They should be innovative and prepared to ‘rip it up and start again’ if necessary.
Often you get better productivity from an early morning cleaning team, but access is often easier at night or in the late afternoon.
Should I combine all services under one Supplier?
You can, but you will probably pay a high premium. For soft FM services in your school or college we strongly recommend 2-5 main suppliers only.
- Cleaning company (daily and windows) also providing consumables and hygiene services
- Security Company (if applicable)
- Waste company (although can be bundled with Cleaning)
- Pest Control
- Outside Maintenance Company
One Managing Agent we know purposefully dismantles all bundled services and will save up to £100,000 per annum in doing so. FM firms tend to charge a lot more, and it is often in their interest to do so when they get an on-charge for every service provided.
What should I look for in a cleaning company for my educational establishment?
- Look for experience and good references. Look for accreditations and certificates.
- Check they fully understand all the CRB checks they need to take and ask for these to be shown.
- Above all look for good, honest attitude among the managers and look for evidence on how they treat their staff. Do they strike you as a company you would want to be part of? Will they retain their staff, treat them well and create a positive dynamic, or will they treat their staff poorly, leading to a cycle of negativity and frustration among the cleaning staff?
- Check how they badge their staff for security purposes? Do they carry ID so they are instantly recognised as cleaning staff?
- Look for evidence of reward schemes for all staff, and understand how their cleaners and managers will be motivated.
- Check insurance documentation, sample Risk Assessments, Health and Safety records including RIDDOR reports.
- Check training procedures and what is offered in terms of ongoing personal development for cleaners.
- Check Sustainability/Environmental attitude, and expect to hear at least 2 compelling reasons why they are eco-friendly. Do they recycle their cleaning containers for multiple uses? Do they have water based filling stations on site? Do they measure and minimise their CO2 output. At the very least they should be ISO14001 accredited.
- Check vetting procedures, to ensure the cleaning company is being properly, legally and fairly selective. Are all staff ID vetted and checks made on expiring Visas?
What should I measure in their performance and how often?
At minimum you should expect a detailed monthly report, normally in a single easy-to-read Excel document (Click here for a sample report) It should contain;
- a summary report of up to 400 words
- an attendance report (ideally with print outs)
- a staff report with feedback on key performances.
- a financial report (100% open book transparency on costs vs budget and how that additional money can now be spent or credited back)
- a training report (all RA training, induction training, first aid, manual handling, fire precaution training etc)
- a Health and Safety report (details of accidents, incidents, additional RA’s)
- a Consumables report