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New version effective 20 April 2026
This is the new version of the licensing criterion and associated guidance.
Criterion HS201#
Premises, furniture, furnishings, fittings, equipment, materials, and sleeping items (such as mattresses, and bedding) are kept safe, clean, well-maintained, and hygienically stored when not in use.
Guidance#
How to show you are complying#
To make sure that the premises, furniture, fittings, equipment, materials, and sleeping items are safe, hygienic, in good condition you need to follow a few key steps.
Safe equipment
- Check regularly for damage or wear across all areas and items, including furniture, fittings, equipment, materials and sleeping items. Look for anything that may be broken, unsafe, or no longer fit for use.
- Take action when needed by removing damaged items from use. Arrange for repairs or replacements to keep everything in good working condition and safe for everyone.
Cleaning and hygiene
Make sure everything is cleaned regularly using the right products. Dirt and grime reduce how well sanitisers work. It’s important to follow the product’s instructions, including how long the sanitiser should stay in contact with the surface before rinsing or wiping dry.
The National Public Health Service (NPHS) advise cleaning and sanitising are two separate steps that work together to keep surfaces clean and hygienic.
Cleaning means wiping away dirt, food, and other visible debris using detergent and water. This helps remove most germs and is always the first step before sanitising. Sanitising means using heat or chemicals (such as bleach) to kill any germs left behind after cleaning. To work properly, bleach needs to be strong enough and stay on the clean surface for 10 to 30 minutes.
- Keep hard surfaces clean. Surfaces that are damaged, worn, or no longer non-porous can trap dirt and bacteria, making them impossible to clean correctly and maintain hygiene.
- Every day, clean and sanitise toys and materials that children may put in their mouths.
- Clean and sanitise nappy changing areas after each use.
- Use cleaning products and sanitisers containing hypochlorite and use in line with the manufacturer's specifications and safety guidelines.
- Many ‘green’, ‘eco’, ‘organic’ or ‘natural’ cleaning products are unsuitable for ‘cleaning’ and sanitising surfaces. They do not adequately remove dirt, grease and grime, and do not ‘sanitise’ surfaces to kill disease-causing germs.
Storage requirements
- Hygienically store items, furniture, furnishings such as cots, beds, stretchers, mattresses, bedding and equipment when not in use. For example, cupboards or designated areas inaccessible to children.
- Clean furniture and bedding before storing it away.
- Remove linen from mattresses before storage. Do not stack linen between mattresses.
- When you use bedding for the same child throughout the week, you must:
- clearly label it with the child’s name, and store it in a clean, labelled bag.
- make sure that storage is:
- safe for children
- easily accessible for the educator
- not located in toilet or nappy changing areas.
