School Custodian Daily Checklist

The custodial team is often the first in the building and the last out. They unlock the doors, check the heating, clear the snow, clean up after lunch and reset the gym for the evening concert. When they do their job well, nobody notices. When something is missed, everybody does.

Opening

• Unlock the building and disarm the alarm
• Check heating, cooling and ventilation are running
• Walk the building for overnight problems: leaks, broken windows, vandalism, power issues
• Clear entrances, walkways and steps; grit or salt in icy weather
• Turn on lights in corridors and common areas
• Check fire exits are unlocked from inside and unobstructed

Restrooms

Restrooms are checked several times a day in most schools.

• Clean and disinfect toilets, sinks and fixtures
• Restock soap, paper towels and toilet paper
• Check for leaks, blocked toilets and broken fixtures
• Empty bins
• Log checks with times

Cafeteria

• Set up tables and chairs before lunch
• Clean and sanitise tables between lunch periods
• Sweep and mop after lunch
• Empty bins and take recycling and food waste to the right containers

Classrooms and Common Areas

• Empty bins and recycling
• Vacuum or sweep floors
• Wipe high-touch surfaces: door handles, light switches, desks
• Clean whiteboards if requested
• Report damaged furniture or fixtures

Safety Checks

• Check fire extinguishers are in place and their gauges are in range
• Keep corridors and exits clear of furniture and equipment
• Report damaged playground equipment immediately and close it off
• Store cleaning chemicals securely, labelled, with safety data sheets available

OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to make safety data sheets available for hazardous chemicals and to train workers on them. Cleaning chemicals are covered.

Events and After-Hours Use

• Set up halls and gyms for events according to the layout
• Unlock and supervise access as required
• Reset and clean after events
• Lock up and set the alarm

Seasonal Tasks

• Winter: snow and ice clearing plans, heating checks, entrance mats
• Spring: floor care, window cleaning
• Summer: deep cleaning, floor refinishing, maintenance projects
• Back to school: classroom setup, furniture moves

See winter weather preparedness checklist for small businesses and the best cleaning checklist for small offices.

Closing

• Walk the building and check every room is empty
• Close windows, turn off lights and lock doors
• Check heating settings for overnight
• Set the alarm
• Log work orders and issues for the next day

How MyTeamTasks Helps

Schools need proof that cleaning and safety checks are done, especially restroom checks, playground inspections and chemical storage. In MyTeamTasks, custodians complete these as timestamped tasks from a phone, add photos of problems, and the facilities manager can see the status of every building across a district using the location filter.