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Daycare Cleaning Service for your Facility

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The importance of daycare cleaning

It is known that young children are at a greater risk of exposure to toxins and germs than their adult counterparts. Common cold, the flu, coughs, sore throats and diarrhea are just a few of the illnesses that run rampant in daycare facilities. It is estimated that children in child care and school settings will have as many as 8 to 12 colds…each year. In addition, one of the most likely groups to get hepatitis A are children and workers in daycare centers. With this in mind, operations managers at daycare facilities must do all they can to maintain a safe and clean environment for the children in their care. Cleaning services for daycare facilities can be an answer for facility managers looking to ensure the most thorough clean.

 

Daycare cleaning procedures: Cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting

Cleaning comes first in child care facilities

The first step to creating a germ and toxin free daycare facility is to clean. Cleaning removes dirt and other grime from surfaces. All surfaces, including windows, carpets, glass, doorknobs, bathrooms and toys should be scrubbed, washed and rinsed. Dirt can prevent sanitizers and disinfectants from working properly, so it is critical that all dirt is removed in this step. A mild detergent and water solution is best; avoid cleaning detergents with lots of chemicals. Green cleaning solutions are the best; they have less effect on human health and the environment than non-green alternatives.

Sanitize areas in your daycare facility that are touched by many hands or come into contact with food

Choosing the correct daycare cleaning supplies is important to maintain a healthy facility. In order to properly sanitize, you will need an appropriate sanitizer. Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces and objects to a safe level. Sanitizing is done using products called antimicrobials.
Antimicrobials are agents that kill microorganisms or inhibit their growth. Antimicrobials are intended to kill germs, making them pesticides. Because they are pesticides, caution must be used when using sanitizers in a child care setting, as these pesticides can be harmful to humans. For example, phenol, found in many common sanitizers and disinfectants such as Lysol and Pine-Sol, can cause many problems such as heart damage, respiratory damage, and liver, kidneys and eye damage. Any product used to sanitize or disinfect must be registered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The most commonly used sanitizer and disinfectant used in daycare facilities is bleach. Bleach is a good sanitizer because it is readily available, relatively inexpensive, easy to use and has a short killing time. Sanitize all door knobs, railings, faucets, and eating utensils.

Disinfect areas in your childcare facility that come into contact with bodily fluids

Sanitizing is great, but disinfecting all areas in your facility that come into contact with any bodily fluids is key to keeping the children in your care healthy. Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces and objects. Areas to disinfect include diaper changing areas, toilets, mouthed toys, water fountains and any other surface contaminated with blood or other fluids. Again, bleach is the most commonly used disinfectant. To properly disinfect, apply a disinfecting solution to an area and allow it to air dry for a few minutes. If the area is going to be used right away after disinfection, rinse the surface with a solution of soap and water.

 

Why use a cleaning service at your daycare facility?

Cleaning can be strenuous, time consuming and difficult. That’s why professional janitorial services may be your best option for cleaning your child care facility. Professional cleaners know what it takes to properly clean, sanitize and disinfect facilities, making the children in your care safer. At Corvus Janitorial, we have a plethora of professionals with years of experience cleaning daycare facilities. For more information on the services we offer to child care facilities, click here.

Surprising yet Common Employee Hand Washing Mistakes

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Educating your employees on what they can do to contribute to maintaining a clean and germ-free workspace should be part of a company-wide cleaning strategy, which should augment your outsourced, Corvus Janitorial Systems cleaning program. Specifically, while our nightly crews are disinfecting, sanitizing and removing debris from high touch and contamination areas, there is a lot “day shift” can do too. According to Jonathan Frias, Regional Director of Corvus of Denver, “it’s a noticeable effect when our client partner establishes proper cleaning methods and techniques to protect their employees. Also, it really makes a big difference in terms of protecting the integrity of the building’s floors and fixtures”.

This roots down to things as simple as the proper way to wash hands. Something we all learned in kindergarten, perhaps incorrectly. A simple set of handwashing techniques can save an organization from a lot of headache. Listing the following criteria in restrooms is a great way to intervene and stop contamination in areas that have already been cleaned. Elaborating on the general handwashing sign “Employees Must Wash Hands” is a tool to ensure their hand washing process is complete and thorough. Public restrooms are filled with germs, and despite cleaning it regularly, germs will be constantly spread. The following handwashing steps will help you get ahead of the bacteria!

  1. Handwashing time: make sure you’re washing long enough: In a rushed work-day, it’s common to skimp on taking the time to wash hands long enough. Did you know that the majority of people (95%) only wash their hands for 5-10 seconds? The minimum time to wash hands should be 20-30 seconds. Try singing the ABC’s to guarantee the length of time.
  2. Thinking that Hand Sanitizer is as good as soap: The alcohol in hand sanitizers is what is thought to kill germs, although multiple factors impact the success. Applying these small volumes of alcohol to the hands is not more effective than washing with soap and water.
  3. Believing that Hot Water Kills more Germs: There is actually no evidence that hot water kills more germs than cold water! This is a common misconception. Scientists with the Joint Bank Group/Fund Health Services Department pointed out that various temperatures had “no effect on transient or resident bacterial reduction.” In fact, washing with hot water can actually increase the “irritant capacity” of some soaps, causing contact dermatitis. The usage of tepid water instead of hot water also has economic benefits. If cold feels good to you, don’t hesitate. Lukewarm is a true happy medium and will kill the same amount of pathogens!
  4. Being Guilty of Not Washing Your Hands often Enough: Are you washing when no one is looking? Don’t cheat yourself and jeopardize others out of laziness. A study from Michigan State University proved that 10% out of the 3,100 participants didn’t wash at all. It is equally important to wash after handling garbage, coming to work from the gym, or arriving after using public transportation. These are all culprits that contribute to spreading invading bacteria that the average employee isn’t thinking of.
  5. Skipping Soap Completely: Some people think that water is enough. It’s not! If you’re going to be rinsing your hands, you may as well take the nanosecond to include the soap and do the job right.
  6. Not Drying Completely: Bacteria and yeast thrive on moisture! Despite using soap and the proper temperature of water, if you don’t seal the deal by drying completely, you leave yourself susceptible to future contamination. No one wants to be a bacteria magnet!
  7. Touching Public Bathroom Surfaces Faucets and restroom counters are breeding grounds for germs. Upon completing washing your hands the right way, be sure to exit in a way to avoid instant contamination. Use a paper towel to shut off faucets and to open the door on the way out.

Corvus can provide you the materials and services needed to thoroughly clean office environment, but are services are so much more effective with your support.  Educate and enforce good hygiene habits. Raising awareness and encouraging employees to be mindful of the minor details will prevent sick days and future messes.

 

Spring Cleaning Wisdom for your Office

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The weather is changing, the days are longer, moods are better. Suddenly there is more sunlight, exposing all of the dust on your desk, stains from winter-cold coffee stand out, and the floors just look dull! Sending out a spring cleaning office memo is great, but often not enough to make sure the job gets done. Take advice for cleaning on a smaller scale from those who clean on a larger scale. Corvus asked teammates from around the country to share their insights and spring cleaning office space tips to assist your organization’s efforts.

1. Teamwork makes the dirty-work, clean:

“It is something that must be done, why not make it fun?” remarks Jonathan Frias – Corvus of Denver Regional Director. “Whether it’s in our own regional office at Corvus of Denver or in a client facility, we often perform “Spring cleaning impact cleans” and pull additional crews in to knockout the job.  It is important to set aside an actual window so those responsible are held accountable and the spring cleaning gets done. Turn it into a treat, such as a happy hour at the end of the day, or a company wide donuts and coffee morning. The energy will be contagious, and this will ensure the cleaning actually happens”.

2. Declutter by keeping what you need at arm’s length:

Getting to the edges, ledgers and hard to reach spots for dusting and disinfecting is high on the list of spring cleaning tasks, noted Corvus of New Orleans Senior Account Rep, Reed Warren.  The old coffee cups must go, essentials only! Corvus recommends making organization a priority. Dedicate a corner or a drawer for the personal and sentimental items. The tools you use daily such as the pen, highlighter, stapler, etc. should be the most accessible. The clutter is distracting!

3. Give back:

Provide a few boxes for the Goodwill or donation boxes! This will encourage declutter of unnecessary items and turn a problem for you into a profit for someone else (submitted by Corvus of New Orleans).

4. Time to Care for Carpets:

During the long Midwest winter, client employees understandably quaff a disproportionately large amount of hot beverages to keep them warm and restored…problem is those liquids often end up staining carpets, traffic areas, and can get pressed into the floor by office chair wheels.  Corvus of St. Louis Director of Operations, Louis Kline, makes a habit of checking with all customers during the spring to schedule an array of carpet cleaning work – from bonnet cleaning, to high-traffic area hot water extraction, to dry method carpet cleaning, to complete extraction carpet cleaning.  “It’s a good time to knock out carpet cleaning because we’re finally comfortable that the weather is turning, and the work won’t have to be re-performed. Plus, most of our customers have been with us an average of five years, and it’s just become part of our routine to not only clean the carpets, but to ensure the client doesn’t have to spend on replacing that material as a result of lack of care”.

5. Dust busting:

Corvus of Jacksonville recommends replacing all air vents and filters from high and low intake and outtake ventilation systems.  Regardless of whether your battling Midwest winters or on the verge of confronting blistering Florida or Louisiana summer heat, facilities put their HVAC units into overdrive which in turn pushes dust, particles and dander through those hard working ducts.   And while high and low dusting and vacuuming of intake vents needs to be part of a regular cleaning schedule, the fact remains that filters and vents need replacing, decluttering and cleaning. The combination of high and low dusting and mechanical / filter changes greatly reduces distribution of dust particles and dander, which leads to a healthier, cleaner and more productive workplace.

Corvus is a firm believer that what you do on a small scale spreads to the larger scale. A clean workspace makes for a clean head-space. As a business owner, you lead by example and by education. Share these tips with your staff!

Contributors: Corvus of New Orleans, Corvus of Jacksonville, Corvus of Denver, Corvus of St. Louis, Jonathan Frias, Louis Kline

Q & A with New Orleans Regional Director

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Interview with Corvus of New Orleans Regional Director and 4th Generation Resident Tommy Petagna

 

Tommy, can you tell us a little about Corvus of New Orleans and its background?

Tommy: Absolutely. Well, I’m actually approaching my ten-year anniversary as the Regional Director of the New Orleans region, and while that may seem like a long time, the truth is those ten years have really flown by. It has been an honor and a thrill to do my part in growing our local New Orleans franchise base and to provide commercial cleaning services to businesses here in town.

 

Q: Are you originally from the New Orleans area?

I was born and raised here, and I am proud to be a part of the fourth generation of my family to call New Orleans home… so to be contributing and supporting entrepreneurial growth in an area I love so dearly has been more satisfying than I can adequately express.

 

Q: When you started out, did you inherit a base of accounts and franchisees?

Tommy: No, we started the operation from scratch; no accounts, no franchisees, no customers. That was tough, of course, but in building the operation and empowering franchisees and servicing customers, you really gain a sense of pride in terms of what we’re trying to achieve. Plus, it has allowed our regional support team to connect in a super relevant and powerful way with our entrepreneurs and franchisees.

 

Q: How so?

Being a business owner is rewarding, of course, but full of hardships and obstacles. Due to the fact that we built our business from the ground up, I think we can really relate to and provide superior support to our janitorial franchisees who embark on that same journey. A way to put it might be: we’re not just talking the talk, because we’ve walked the walk.

 

Q: And what is it that you’re trying to achieve?

Tommy: Our goal is to add value and make the lives of our stakeholders better. That sounds trite, maybe, but if our customer facilities are clean, hygienic and vibrant, those businesses or organizations – and their employees and customers – flourish. If the environment we help facilitate benefits the individuals who are a part of that organization, we’ve made a difference and that’s really our goal. Of course, we’re nothing without our vast network of franchised cleaning operators, and it’s our mission to help those valued partners grow and prosper.

 

Q: That’s a unique take on commercial cleaning!

Tommy: Maybe, but if you approach what you’re doing with passion and purpose, you can always make a difference.

 

Q: Can you talk about some of the hardships you’ve faced?

Anyone who has founded, and operated a business knows there are almost too many obstacles to mention. But what leaps out at me is when you’re unfairly characterized. If we fail a customer or franchisee, we absolutely want to take responsibility for our role, but often times, especially in the case of a less-than-successful franchisee, blame is assigned directly to us…and even in ways that are not close to being factually accurate.

That said, those situations have been few and far between in our decade of operation, and as a rule we focus on the positive partnerships and successes we’ve enjoyed with our commercial cleaning franchisees, customers, vendors and employees.

 

Q: Switching gears, can you tell us how you help structure the scope of service for client office cleaning services?

Tommy: The important thing to do is to listen, question and observe. What I mean is, often clients have a sense for how often they need cleaning and what type of cleaning specifications they need or want for their facility. And of course, you need to incorporate those factors into your quote, but all too often cleaning companies and janitorial services simply take orders and generate one size fits all bids as opposed to providing a consultative approach to designing a customized workplace cleaning regime. So, in addition to incorporating the client’s needs, by observing the facility and asking questions, we’ll propose additional service specifications or, alternatively, eliminate some which in turn reduces the cost of service, saving clients money.

 

Q: Can you give us some examples of observations you try to make or questions you pose?

Tommy: Sure. For instance, you always want to understand the hot spots in a facility. Is there a section of the building which causes more frustration in terms of cleaning than others…which might be due to actual materials (as in floor type) or traffic patterns? Are there departments or individual work spaces that need more attention? By finding these answers and addressing those issues through work specs, we can provide a better clean and alleviate the stress the point person of the facility may have otherwise endured.

 

Q: What do you mean by that last comment?

Tommy: In many instances, if not all, our points of contact for cleaning services have a variety of other duties and responsibilities. If the nightly cleaning service is failing, that consumes her or his time, which detracts from their other obligations. We remind ourselves that our contact for office cleaning “die a death of a thousand cuts”, if the number of those cuts by providing a reliable, highly effective workplace clean, we’ve made that contacts job a little easier…and that really does make his or her life better.

 

Q: What is important for prospective office cleaning clients to know about the process of hiring a cleaning company?

Tommy: I can answer that generally and also give specifics in terms of what we at Corvus of New Orleans do. Generally, clients should make sure their service is licensed, bonded and insured. That’s just critical and often overlooked. Second, clients need to know what the quality control process is for the firm and how the company communicates with the client. In the commercial cleaning business, things can and do go wrong. It doesn’t matter what company it is because any service dependent on humans can run into problems. The key is how the service fixes the problem, and that relates to communication, follow up, and, most importantly, relationships. So, you want to understand how QC and operational oversight work. Then of course you want to make sure the cleaning company has the tools and means to provide service from skill of the franchisee to commercial grade equipment to effective solutions for the right material type. The company needs to possess the ability and resources to get the office or workspace clean.

In terms of Corvus of New Orleans, in addition to what I just described, we emphasize that the service specifications are entirely customizable and editable. By that I mean that we work with the client to make sure the cleaning specifications for the office space match their janitorial needs and their budget. One size does not fit all and ensuring that clients know we can add, delete or edit our service offering to get them to the right place is critical. Also, we can always perform additional service during times of year when a firm simply needs more attention…and then ratchet back when that need subsides. Basically, we try to do whatever is necessary for clients to meet their office cleaning needs.

 

Q: You refer to office cleaning, but I assume you provide janitorial services to all types of facilities, correct?

Tommy: That’s exactly right. You end up defaulting to the term office cleaning or commercial cleaning or janitorial services, but really, we provide services that clean any type of facility, during or after hours of operations. We clean industrial plants, schools, day cares, places of worship, car dealerships, medical offices, multi-tenant offices, banks, you name it. The only facility type we don’t clean, however, are residential properties.

 

Q: Another change of gears, you mentioned that you are nothing without your Franchisees. Can you elaborate?

Tommy: Absolutely. Corvus uses a franchise model, so customers receive cleaning from any one of our extensive networks of small, owner operator franchise cleaning companies. Folks come to us to help them start, develop and grow their own small businesses; with our help, support and resources, of course. And, yes, we really exist to serve our franchisees and to help them succeed. That’s what I meant. I know we have one of the most outstanding and capable roster of franchisees in the industry. Of course, I am biased! But for ten years, I’ve watched the entrepreneurial spirit take hold and work here in New Orleans. Franchisees like Denice Lee, Latrice Dillion and Vernell Briscoe blow me away with their discipline, fortitude and vision… just to name a few. Yes, our franchisees are simply the heart and soul of our operation, and frankly, inspiring to our team…by the way, to be clear, those are three out of scores of other outstanding entrepreneurs which make up Corvus of New Orleans.

 
Corvus of New Orleans
2332 Severn Avenue
Suite 200
Metaire, LA 70001
504-304-8323
info@corvusjanitorial.com

Janitorial Franchise Advantages: A Stable Industry with Opportunities

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Cleaning services industry outlook

Janitors are a mainstay of American business operations, and for good reason. We all know the importance of having a janitor to ensure a sanitary and tolerable workplace. Because of this, the demand for janitorial services continues to be high. In 2018, the revenue of janitorial services in the U.S. reached 61 billion U.S. dollars. Job growth is also expected to rise by 10% in the next ten years. The median hourly wage for janitors and building cleaners was $12.02 in May 2017 and $24,998 per year. The industry has high levels of competition due to the many small cleaning companies in operation. Janitorial franchising in the cleaning industry offers unique advantages and opportunities for franchisees to leap frog these small companies for competitive contracts.

 

Franchises offer opportunity

In a competitive market, such as the market for cleaning services, association with a recognizable and respected brand can improve contract prospect acquisition drastically. This is where janitorial franchises offer the most advantage, and is what we provide at Corvus with our national footprint. We are a brand with over ten years of experience servicing clients, marketing, and sales. When you buy a franchise from Corvus, you are not only becoming an owner of a janitorial company. You are also gaining a network of experienced colleagues. They will provide you with client prospecting, sales and marketing that cannot be matched by a solo venture into the industry. At Corvus, we like to say that our franchisees are “on their own, but not alone”. Our franchisees know that if they ever need assistance, advice, or have any questions or concerns, Corvus’ leadership will be there in any way that we can.

 

A word from our Franchisees

“I would say the best thing about my experience owning a Corvus franchise is the flexibility I have to run my business the way I think is best to achieve my personal goals.”
-Annika,Corvus Cincinnati

“I never thought I would be able to own my own business. Now, I am able to spend time with my two sons while still providing them with everything they need!”
-Tamara, Corvus Raleigh-Durham

“I was fed up with working for the man, but there was no way I had the money to start my own business from scratch. Then, I discovered Corvus. I no longer work for the man and I couldn’t be happier.”
-Michael, Corvus Little Rock

A Cleaning Franchise Could Change Your Life

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Corvus Franchisee pointing to his award for franchisee of the month

Changing career paths to cleaning?

There are many reasons that people decide to change career paths. Do you dread going to the office everyday? Do you feel like you don’t make enough money? Or, perhaps you simply can’t stand answering to your boss everyday. The average person will change jobs about 12 to 15 times over their lifetime, so changing careers is not an outlandish thought at all. If a career change is something that interests you, buying a janitorial franchise may be something for you to consider.

 

What is a cleaning franchise?

A cleaning franchise provides entrepreneurs with marketing, sales, financing and support, empowering the franchise owner to focus on growing their cleaning business. Everyone has seen janitors at work, but what most people don’t realize is that there is a very high probability that these janitors own their own businesses. A janitorial franchise is bought by the franchisee. With their purchase, the franchisee receives a recognizable brand, financing, equipment, client contracts, and support. One of the hardest things about owning a cleaning company is obtaining clientele. At Corvus, we provide franchisees with a vast number of contracts upon purchase of a franchise.

 

Success of janitorial service Franchises

When you decide to become a franchisee in the janitorial services industry, you are becoming part of something that has proven time and time again to be a success. The cleaning services industry is expected to grow 6% through 2026. The demand for janitorial services remains high, even in times of economic turmoil. Cleaning is an integral part of every company, and many times cleaning services are taken care of out-of-house. A Corvus Franchisee is able to sit back and enjoy being their own boss while the marketing, prospecting, and contract acquisition is taken care of. Franchisees can find comfort in the strength of the cleaning services industry; as long as franchisees work hard, there will be money to be made.

If you are over your job or career, it may be time to look into becoming your own boss and buying a cleaning franchise. The world is yours, so take a step towards a more fulfilling life with Corvus; you won’t regret it. Corvus Janitorial humbly invites you to join our network of franchisees. For more information on franchise opportunities, call 1-888-894-5345 or visit the Corvus website for franchise opportunities.