When we think about safety in schools and childcare centres, our minds often go straight to teachers, administrators, and support staff. But what about cleaners? They’re in the same environments, often during vulnerable hours, and their role in safeguarding children is just as important.
At Cleancorp, we believe professional cleaning is about trust and safety. That’s why the question of whether cleaners should hold a Working With Children Check (WWCC) is one worth unpacking.
But First: What Is a Working With Children Check?
A Working With Children Check (sometimes called a “Blue Card” or similar, depending on your state or territory) is a screening process that assesses a person’s criminal history and other relevant records to determine their suitability to work with children. It’s designed to protect young people by ensuring only trusted, vetted adults have access to child-focused environments.
Cleaners in Schools and Childcare Centres
In schools and childcare centres, cleaners are responsible for maintaining healthy, safe, and welcoming environments for students. They handle everything from sanitising classrooms and bathrooms to keeping play areas free of hazards. But unlike teachers or staff, cleaners may not always be directly supervised, making the WWCC an additional safeguard.
-
Daytime Cleaning: When cleaners are on-site during school hours or while children are present, the case for a WWCC is especially strong. These cleaners may pass through classrooms, playgrounds, or corridors where students are active.
-
After-Hours Cleaning: Many schools and childcare centres schedule cleaning for after students have gone home. In these cases, the likelihood of interaction is minimal, but access to sensitive spaces still makes screening a smart precaution.
Why a WWCC Matters for Cleaners
-
Peace of Mind for Parents and Staff: Parents want to know every adult on the premises is safe to be around children. A WWCC reassures them their kids are protected.
-
Professional Standards: For cleaning companies, requiring WWCCs demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding and builds trust with clients.
-
Consistency Across Roles: If teachers, volunteers, and contractors must hold a WWCC, extending that same standard to cleaners ensures no gaps in child safety.
The Role of Facility Managers & Principals
When it comes to Working With Children Checks, facility managers and principals play a critical role in setting the standard. They’re the ones who decide not only who comes onto school grounds, but also what safeguards are non-negotiable.
-
Clear Policies for Contractors: Every contractor, from cleaners to maintenance staff, should be subject to the same expectations. By putting WWCC requirements into written policies, schools and childcare centres remove any ambiguity and make sure everyone is held accountable.
-
Contracts and Tenders: It’s not enough to assume contractors will “do the right thing.” WWCC requirements should be explicitly written into contracts and tender documents. That way, providers like Cleancorp can demonstrate compliance upfront, and schools have a clear audit trail to show parents and regulators.
Ultimately, principals and facility managers are gatekeepers of child safety. By enforcing WWCC requirements consistently, they ensure that every adult on the premises has been vetted and approved, building trust across the entire school community.
Risks of Not Having a WWCC
Failing to require Working With Children Checks for cleaners leaves schools and childcare centres exposed to unnecessary risks. These risks include:
-
Safety Risks: While rare, the presence of adults who haven’t been properly vetted increases the risk of harm to children.
-
Reputational Risks: Parents expect every adult on the premises to be screened. If a school can’t demonstrate this, trust can be lost quickly.
-
Operational Risks: Non-compliance can result in penalties, investigations, and costly contract disputes with cleaning providers.
Even beyond compliance, there’s a moral risk: sending the message that the safety of children is negotiable. In today’s climate, parents and communities demand higher standards, and rightly so. A WWCC demonstrates that schools, childcare centres, and their contractors are taking every precaution to keep children safe.
The Cleancorp Approach
At Cleancorp, we service schools, childcare centres, and universities across Australia. We recognise that these environments are unique; they’re learning and care spaces filled with children and young people.
That’s why we:
-
Ensure cleaners working in schools and childcare centres undergo Working With Children Checks (and other state-based equivalents).
-
Train staff on appropriate conduct in child-centred environments.
-
Work with facilities managers to schedule cleans at times that minimise disruption and risk, whether that means during the school day with supervision, or after hours when classrooms are empty.
Finding the Right Balance
Not every site will require the same approach. For some facilities, WWCCs for cleaners are a non-negotiable requirement. For others, scheduling after-hours cleaning may reduce the need for direct interaction altogether. But the principle remains: child safety must always come first.
FAQs: Cleaners and Working With Children Checks
Do cleaners need a Working With Children Check in Australia?
Yes, in most states cleaners working in schools, childcare centres, or other child-focused sites require a WWCC if they are onsite when children are present. This ensures that every adult who has access to children’s spaces has been properly vetted for safety and suitability. Even in cases where cleaners work after hours, many facilities choose to make a WWCC mandatory as a best-practice safeguard, giving parents and staff greater peace of mind.
Is a WWCC required if cleaners only work after hours?
It depends on the state and the facility’s policy. Legally, some after-hours cleaners may not need a WWCC if their work takes place entirely outside of student contact hours. However, many schools and childcare centres choose to enforce it regardless, since cleaners still have access to sensitive spaces such as classrooms, staff rooms, and playgrounds. Requiring a WWCC for all cleaners, even those working overnight, removes any grey areas and demonstrates a clear, consistent commitment to child safety.
What’s the difference between a WWCC and a police check?
A police check is a snapshot of someone’s criminal history at one point in time, showing only offences recorded up until the date of the check. In contrast, a Working With Children Check (WWCC) is ongoing; it continuously monitors relevant records, such as new charges or convictions, and flags any concerns as they arise. This means a WWCC provides a higher level of safeguarding, offering schools, childcare centres, and parents greater confidence that the adults on-site remain suitable to work around children over the long term.
Can cleaning companies arrange WWCCs for their staff?
Yes. Professional cleaning providers like Cleancorp ensure their teams have up-to-date WWCCs for sites where it’s required, and manage renewals to keep compliance seamless for clients. This not only saves schools and childcare centres the administrative burden of checking individual clearances, but also guarantees that every cleaner stepping onto the premises has been properly vetted and remains compliant over time.
How do schools and childcare centres ensure compliance?
Facilities managers should include WWCC requirements in all cleaning contracts, request proof from providers, and carry out periodic audits to make sure every cleaner onsite has a current clearance. Many schools also maintain a central register of all contractors’ WWCC details and require cleaners to carry identification or clearance cards while on site. Regular spot checks, combined with clear policies and communication between principals, facility managers, and cleaning providers, help ensure there are no gaps in compliance and that child safety standards are consistently upheld.
Final Thoughts
Cleaners play a vital role in schools and childcare centres, one that extends beyond hygiene into the realm of trust and wellbeing. Requiring Working With Children Checks is a proactive step toward ensuring that everyone in a child’s environment meets the highest safety standards.
If you’re a school or childcare centre looking for a cleaning partner who takes safety and compliance as seriously as cleanliness, talk to Cleancorp today.