Northmark provides after-hours cleaning for daycare, preschool and childcare centers in Fargo, West Fargo and Moorhead. We clean classrooms, nap rooms' floors, restrooms, hallways, offices, staff rooms and entries after the children go home, using products agreed with the center, with background-checked staff and a written division between our work and the daytime sanitizing your teachers do under licensing rules.
Why childcare cleaning is different
Childcare centers serve the most vulnerable building users there are. Young children touch everything, put things in their mouths, sit and play on floors and share toys constantly. Illness spreads quickly through a classroom. Licensing standards and national guidance reflect that. Caring for Our Children, the national health and safety performance standards for early care and education programs, sets out detailed routines for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting surfaces, toys and diapering areas.
Much of that work happens during the day, by teachers and staff, between activities, after meals and after each diaper change. A janitorial partner's role is to handle the nightly deep routine so the building starts every morning clean, and to do it in a way that fits the center's licensing requirements.
Dividing the work
| Task | Center staff (daytime) | Northmark (after hours) |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitizing tables after meals | Yes | — |
| Diaper changing area sanitizing after each use | Yes | — |
| Toy cleaning and sanitizing | Yes, per center routine | Only if specifically scoped and agreed |
| Classroom floors (vacuuming and mopping) | Spot cleaning | Nightly |
| Restrooms (fixtures, floors, waste) | Spot cleaning | Nightly |
| Door handles, light switches, cubbies' exteriors | During the day as needed | Nightly |
| Hallways, entries and offices | — | Nightly |
| Staff rooms and kitchens (non-food-prep) | — | Nightly |
| Trash and diaper waste removal to outdoor containers | Daytime as needed | Nightly |
We agree the exact split during onboarding so the center's licensing obligations are met and nothing falls through the gap.
Products that suit children's spaces
Product choice matters in rooms where children crawl and nap. We agree products with the director before service begins, considering the surfaces, the center's licensing requirements, any allergies or sensitivities, and fragrance preferences. Many centers prefer fragrance-free products, and some look for products carrying the EPA Safer Choice label for general cleaning. Disinfectants, when used, are applied according to their labels, including contact time and any rinse requirements for surfaces children touch. Our guide to cleaning vs sanitizing vs disinfecting explains the terms.
Floors are the priority
Children spend much of the day on floors: circle time, play, crawling, naps. Nightly floor care is therefore the heart of a childcare scope. Carpets and rugs are vacuumed thoroughly, hard floors are mopped with agreed products, and entry floors get extra attention in winter, when slush and salt come in on boots and stroller wheels.
Screening and security
Even though our team works after the children leave, childcare centers have strong reasons to know exactly who enters their building. Every Northmark team member is background-checked before receiving access. Centers whose licensing rules or policies require additional screening, such as fingerprint-based checks, can specify it, and we complete it before assigning staff. Credentials are logged to individuals and every visit ends with a lock-up check. See background-checked staff and janitorial background checks.
Scheduling around care hours
Most centers close in the early evening. We arrive after the last child and staff member leave and finish well before opening. If your center opens very early, we can adjust so the building is ready on time.
Growth in West Fargo and south Fargo
Young families have driven growth in West Fargo and south Fargo, and childcare centers have followed. We serve centers throughout West Fargo, Fargo and Moorhead. Many churches also run childcare or preschool programs; see churches.
A clean start every morning
The goal of nightly service is simple: when the first family arrives, the entry is dry, the floors are clean, the restrooms are fresh and the trash is gone, so teachers can start the day focused on children rather than catching up on cleaning.
Frequently asked questions
Do you sanitize toys?
Toy sanitizing is usually part of the center's daytime routine. We can include specific toy cleaning if the center scopes it and agrees the method.
What products do you use in classrooms?
Products are agreed with each center's director, considering surfaces, licensing requirements, allergies and fragrance preferences.
Can we require fingerprint background checks?
Yes. If your licensing rules or policies require additional screening, we complete it before assigning staff.
When do you clean?
After the last child and staff member leave, finishing well before opening.
Sources
Published · Northmark Facility Services.