SASI Stories
Established in 1939, Lady Gowrie Child Centres are a model centre across Australia in all
matters relating to quality Children’s Services. With such capacity to influence, Children’s Program Manager Debbie Cole jumped at the
opportunity to participate in the
SASI Clean Project, thus ensuring their cleaning methods would be as safe and sustainable as possible.
Lady Gowrie played a pivotal role in the pilot trial by allowing the bacterial tests to be conducted in their rooms that prove warm soapy water (using plant-based detergents) worked as well as disinfectant. Staff collaborated closely with the SASI Clean team to develop procedures that would be both practical and meet NCAC requirements.
Find out about the SASI Clean pilot project results
Yarraberg Children’s Centre
The staff of the Yarraberg Children’s Centre, in Richmond, Melbourne, shared a concern about exposing infants to chemical disinfectants but were not convinced that warm soapy water (as advocated in the NHMRC guidelines Staying Healthy in Childcare) could work as well.
Team leader Gwen Hansen and her staff were really excited about taking part in the SASI Cleaning
Project and more than happy for the bacterial tests to be conducted in their premises to find the answers to
their
questions. They took on the concept of
SASI Cleaning with zeal, reducing the number of cleaning products they used by 33% and involving the children from the outset.
Read all about Yarraberg’s Clean Hands ~
Clean Art story
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Gold Street Children’s Centre
One of the most noticeable things at Gold Street is the welcome, relaxed feeling as you enter the Centre. According to team member Yvonne Anderson, this has not changed for 25 years. However, the new team leader Renee Cornish enthusiastically embraced the chance to review the way they approached their cleaning.
As with many centres, once the topic of cleaning in Childcare is raised, it is with some amazement that staff discover the range of opinions about cleaning that have evolved. SASI Clean has been like a breath of fresh air for Gold Street which is now a model centre with coordinated procedures, dispensers and signs to keep staff committed to change.
North Carlton Children’s Centre
North Carlton Children’s Centre had already implemented safer cleaning practices such as warm soapy water, thanks to the dedication of staff member Alison Ward. Supervisor Loata Mataitoga-Waqa said Alison’s own research had made it easier for herself and other staff to make informed decisions. However, Alison is grateful for the SASI Clean Project research which has helped to overcome any lingering concerns, while the SASI Clean team learnt from Nth Carlton’s past experiences on the sometimes rocky road to change.
Committed to the path of continual improvement, they have now embraced some exciting sustainable practices such as automatic dispensers to reduce waste, and microfibre floor-mops to minimise water and chemical use.
Debbie Cole.
Children's Program Manager.
Lady Gowrie's Child Centre.
The SASI Project has given us the opportunity to do something beneficial for the program and the environment. It has changed our attitudes and practices in the centre and has extended out to many of our homes!" Debbie Cole, Children's Program Manager of the Lady Gowrie Lady Centre.
Gwen Hansen.
Team Leader, Yarraberg Children's Centre.
"I know that soapy water really works, and that we don't really need to use disinfectants. My staff and I want to make the world healthier for children." Gwen Hansen. Team Leader of Yarreberg Children's Centre.
Yvonne Anderson.
Team Member, Gold Street Children's Centre.
"I was excited to be part of SASI Clean because I had always wanted to improve our way of cleaning but I didn't want to make token changes. I needed some science behind it." Renne Cornish. Team Leader at Gold Street Children's Centre.
Alison Ward.
Team Member, North Carlton Children's Centre.
"People assume that if you are against using strong chemicals you aren't serious about cleaning. Its been a huge shift now that other staff know that warm soapy water is really cleaning properly." Alison Ward, Team Member, North Carlton Children's Centre.