5.7.0.5: Cleaning Schedule for Exterior Areas

A cleaning schedule for exterior areas should be developed and assigned to appropriate staff members. Delegated staff members should actively look for flaking or peeling paint while cleaning the exterior areas. If flaking/peeling paint is found, it should be tested for lead. If the paint is found to contain lead, the area should be covered by latex-based paint to create a barrier between the lead-based paint and the children in care.

RATIONALE

Developing a cleaning schedule that delegates responsibility to specific staff members helps ensure that the child care facility is appropriately cleaned. Proper cleaning reduces the risk of injury and the transmission of disease.

Lead paint chips may be ingested by young children and lead to neurological and behavioral problems. Covering the lead paint with latex paint reduces toxic exposure (1-3).

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

5.2.9.13 Testing for and Remediating Lead Hazards

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC. What you should know about lead based paint in your home: Safety alert.  https://chemlinks.beloit.edu/classes/Chem117/lead/CPSC5054.pdf
   
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 2012. Announcement: Response to the advisory committee on childhood lead poisoning prevention report, low level lead exposure harms children: A renewed call for primary prevention. MMWR. Atlanta, GA: CDC.http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6120a6.htm?s_cid=mm6120a6_e.
   
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2010. The lead-safe certified guide to renovate right. Washington, DC: EPA. http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovaterightbrochure.pdf.