(1) An early learning provider must develop and follow a cleaning schedule that includes:

(a) Food preparation areas, tables and chairs, high chairs, and food service counters, which must be cleaned and sanitized before and after each meal and snack with single use paper towels or one-time use wiping cloths;

(b) Eating utensils, bottles, drinking equipment, and dishes, which must be cleaned and sanitized after each use;

(c) Pacifiers, which:

(i) Must be cleaned and sanitized after each use by washing and boiling the pacifier or washing the pacifier in the dishwasher; or

(ii) May be reused by an individual child if they have been rinsed after each use and stored in a device or container that prevents contamination. Both the pacifier and the storage device or container must be cleaned and sanitized daily;

(d) Appliances used to prepare food, which must be cleaned after each use and sanitized daily or more often as needed;

(e) Refrigerators, which must be cleaned and sanitized monthly or more often as needed;

(f) Freezers, which must be cleaned and sanitized quarterly or more often as needed;

(g) Toys, which must be cleaned and sanitized as follows:

(i) Infant and toddler toys must be cleaned and sanitized at least daily or more often as needed;

(ii) All other toys must be cleaned and sanitized weekly or more often as needed; and

(iii) When a toy comes into contact with a child's mouth or bodily fluids it must be removed from use until it can be cleaned and sanitized prior to reuse; and

(h) Furniture and equipment, which must be cleaned monthly or more often as needed.

(2) Machine washable clothes provided by the early learning program must be laundered as needed.

(3) Sleeping equipment must be:

(a) Cleaned and sanitized after each use if used by more than one child; or

(b) Cleaned and sanitized weekly or more often as needed if assigned to only one child.

(4) Bedding must be:

(a) Laundered and sanitized after each use if used by more than one child; or

(b) Laundered and sanitized weekly or more often as needed if assigned to only one child.

(5) Sinks that are not used for handwashing after toileting, diapering, or food preparation must be cleaned and sanitized daily or more often as needed.

(6) Toileting and diaper changing areas including, but not limited to, toilets, counters, sinks, and floors must be cleaned and disinfected daily or more often as needed.

(7) Diaper changing tables and changing pads must be cleaned and disinfected between children, even if using a nonabsorbent covering that is discarded after each use.

(8) Garbage cans and receptacles must be emptied on a daily basis and cleaned and disinfected as needed.

(9) Diaper receptacles must be emptied, cleaned, and disinfected daily or more often as needed. Contents of a diaper receptacle must be removed from the licensed space, and replaced with a new liner at least daily or more often if odor is present.

(10) Floors must be cleaned by either sweeping or vacuuming at least once per day or more often as needed. Moisture resistant flooring must be cleaned and sanitized at least once per day or more often as needed.

(11) Large area rugs or installed carpet must be cleaned at least once every six months, or when visible dirt or stains are present, using a carpet shampoo machine, steam cleaner, or other method that minimizes the exposure of children in care to pathogens and allergens.

(a) An early learning provider must not use dry shampoos or dry chemical sanitizers or disinfectants, unless approved by the department.

(b) If caring for infants, a provider must either place a safe and clean material over large rugs or carpet, or clean rugs or carpet at least once per month or more often if visible stains are present.

(12) Small area rugs must be shaken outdoors or vacuumed daily, and laundered as needed.

(13) Carpets or area rugs soiled with bodily fluids must be cleaned and disinfected with high heat or an EPA registered product. An early learning provider must limit exposure to blood and body fluids during cleanup.

(14) Children must not:

(a) Be present when carpets are cleaned or vacuumed unless the provider is spot vacuuming, the vacuum has a HEPA filter, and children are not within the immediate area; or

(b) Use or play on or near carpet areas until dry.