The Oxy’Pharm synergy: uncompromising, eco-friendly hygiene to protect infants and young children.
Hygiene worthy of families’ trust
Welcoming children aged 0 to 3 comes with a fundamental imperative to ensure impeccable hygiene adapted to the vulnerability of infants and very young children. Their immune systems are still developing and therefore they are particularly sensitive to infections, pathogens and even the chemical residues left by conventional cleaning products.
In this context, families’ trust in a childcare facility depends largely on the team’s ability to implement safe, effective, transparent hygiene protocols that protect the health of children, staff and all users.
This is precisely Oxy’Pharm’s mission. As a pioneer in sustainable hygiene, the company offers a unique dual approach: Sanivap steam bio-cleaning and Nocotech airborne automated bio-disinfection. These two synergistic technologies are designed to meet the strictest microbiological safety standards while reducing the use of chemicals and limiting consumables.
Caring for infants and very young children: a daily health challenge
HIGH-RISK ENVIRONMENTS
In nurseries, daycare centres or any facilities welcoming young children, all objects and surfaces can become vectors of contamination. Floors, toys, mattresses, changing tables, toilets, kitchens, door handles and shared furniture can all, at some point, harbour pathogens.
The very layout of these spaces is designed to facilitate discovery and learning. Children move freely, explore, and handle objects, which increases interactions and therefore the risk of cross-contamination – whether between children, between staff and children, or via everyday items.
PATHOGENS AND PARASITES : THE NECESSITY OF CONSTANT VIGILANCE
Childcare teams face a wide variety of microbiological and parasitic risks. The most common and contagious infections include :
- Respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses : norovirus, rotavirus, rhinovirus, etc.
- Bacteria, sometimes multi-resistant, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), enterobacteria, and certain strains of Escherichia coli.
- Fungi, yeasts and spores capable of persisting on surfaces when hygiene is not flawless.
- Fungi, yeasts and spores capable of persisting on surfaces when hygiene is not flawless.
In such environments, the slightest weakness in hygiene protocols can create opportunity for these pathogens, with potentially significant impacts on children’s health and the smooth running of the facility as a whole.
A REGULATORY AND MORAL RESPONSIBILITY
Early childhood establishments must comply with strict hygiene protocols set by public health authorities for cleaning, disinfection, and accountability. But beyond regulations, there is also a moral responsibility inherent to the profession.
Expectations are high — and rightly so. Families demand transparency and reliability; local authorities require responsible solutions ; and professionals need tools that are safe, effective, easy to use, and respectful of both human.
Clean, disinfect, protect: the expert synergy of the Sanivap and Nocotech solutions
SANIVAP : THE POWER OF STEAM FOR ECO-FRIENDLY BIO-CLEANING
In environments where every surface can become a vector for contamination, Sanivap offers a reliable solution for daily cleaning — effective, ecological, and uncompromising on safety.
Developed by Oxy’Pharm, this technology uses high-temperature steam produced at 150°C and delivered at 97°C at the nozzle at 5-bar pressure. The hot, stable, and precisely controlled steam easily reaches the most inaccessible areas including furniture joints, floor crevices and corners that are hard or impossible to reach by hand.
Sanivap effectively removes visible and invisible dirt, including microbial biofilms, while neutralising a broad spectrum of microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi (NF T72-110 certified).
Sanivap requires no chemical products, avoiding any residue on surfaces and removing exposure risks for both children and staff.
The technology is compatible with the delicate materials commonly found in childcare environments — tables, floors, toys, mattresses, textiles, sanitary equipment and more.
Designed for professional use, the Sanivap range is both robust and ergonomic. Mounted on mobile trolleys and easy to handle, the devices can be used for 8–10 hours a day, even in highly demanding settings. Steam output remains stable and efficient, with minimal water consumption.
NOCOTECH : AUTOMATED, CONTACT-FREE DISINFECTION
In childcare facilities, some areas remain difficult to reach despite thorough daily cleaning. Microorganisms can persist under furniture, on fabrics, vertical surfaces or electronic equipment.
For these sensitive zones, Nocotech provides a reliable, automated, contact-free disinfection solution. Developed by Oxy’Pharm, it works by diffusing a dry mist of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) into the air. Once released, the mist spreads evenly throughout the room, reaching all surfaces — even complex and delicate ones — without leaving any moisture, residue or corrosion.
The products used within the Nocotech system are biodegradable, peracetic-acid-free, and non-allergenic, making them perfectly suited to environments with young children. What’s more, they leave no trace or odour after treatment.
The disinfecting action is comprehensive: bacteria, viruses (including SARS-CoV-2), yeasts, fungi and spores are all neutralised with proven efficiency, validated in laboratories and under real-world conditions, in compliance with European standard EN 17272. Additionally, the Oxypy+ solution enables targeted curative treatments against specific parasites such as bedbugs.
Nocotech also simplifies work for staff as disinfection occurs automatically, without the need for manually handling products. Once the room’s dimensions have been programmed, the cycle starts automatically and independently. There is no special preparation, no rinsing, no handling during any part of the process. Simple, reliable, and safe for both staff and children.
Exemplary bio-cleaning and bio-disinfection for every sensitive space
A SYNERGY ADAPTED TO REAL-WORLD CONDITIONS
In early childhood facilities, every area has its own constraints, and hygiene needs can vary depending on time of day, occupancy levels, and time of year. The joint action of Sanivap and Nocotech makes it easy to adapt to these different rhythms and requirements, without complicating protocols or overburdening staff.
Steam bio-cleaning with Sanivap can be performed daily or periodically depending on the zone:
- Esp Living spaces (playrooms, dormitories, motor-skills areas): deep cleaning, chemical-free, suitable even for delicate surfaces.
- Toilets and kitchens: regular, rigorous treatment meeting food-safety standards.
- Furniture, textiles, mattresses: gentle yet effective cleaning with no risk of damage.
Automated bio-disinfection with Nocotech covers :
- Complex or inaccessible zones (under furniture, fabrics, electronic devices).
- Curative or preventive treatments (post-outbreak, long closure, parasite infestation).
- Discreet disinfection outside opening hours, thanks to its pre-programmable, contact-free operation.
By combining both technologies, childcare facilities can maintain an exceptionally high hygiene level while ensuring smooth organisation and safe working conditions for teams.
AN ECO-RESPONSIBLE AND COST-EFFECTIVE APPROACH
Beyond performance, Oxy’Pharm is committed to sustainable hygiene that safeguards both human health and the environment.
Sanivap steam technology drastically reduces water consumption and eliminates the need for chemical detergents.
Nocotech, through its automated, contact-free disinfection, avoids the use of disposable wipes, bottles, or sprays. Together, the two systems significantly reduce consumables, cut waste, and lower operating costs.
The equipment — robust, durable, and manufactured in France — reflects a commitment to quality, reliability, and local production.
The Nocotech consumables are biodegradable, allergen-free, residue-free, and perfectly suited to sensitive environments.
Oxy’Pharm’s commitment: support tailored to your needs
Every childcare facility is different — in terms of size, organisation, and constraints. That is why Oxy’Pharm offers personalised support designed to deal with real-life challenges. Our teams provide:
- Practical training for staff using the equipment.
- Personalised advice tailored to your premises, cleaning frequency and resources.
- Installation, commissioning, and technical follow-up.
- A dedicated contact person, by your side at every stage of the project.
By combining the expertise of Sanivap and Nocotech, we offer a comprehensive, ecological, high-performance solution, and one that is perfectly aligned with the demands of the early childhood sector.
To find out more, request our Early Childhood brochure to see our full range, along with case studies and practical advice.
Crèche Pierre et le Loup in Lyon, France, chooses Oxy’Pharm to protect children and staff. Interview with Emma Chaumette, Director
After ten years working as an early childhood educator, Emma Chaumette now heads Pierre et le Loup, a small community nursery of 27 children located at a Lyon hospital. A team of ten professionals welcomes children daily from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In total, 13 places are reserved for children of hospital staff. Despite this specific context and thanks to total control over hygiene protocols, serenity reigns:
“We don’t have any more epidemics than elsewhere,” smiles Emma.
To maintain a clear boundary between the nursery and the hospital, healthcare parents leave their uniforms at the entrance and enter in civilian clothes — a simple, meaningful ritual symbolising the constant attention paid to everyone’s health.
SANIVAP, A CHOICE GUIDED BY HEALTH AND WELLBEING
As early as 2014, the nursery acquired its first Sanivap device — a decision driven by ecological, health and human concerns, protecting children from chemical fumes and safeguarding staff wellbeing.
The team, sensitive to the strong odours of cleaning products, worried about the risks of inhalation for the children. Their hands were often damaged — a telltale sign of frequent contact with irritants. A grant helped fund the investment, which was perfectly aligned with the nursery’s and the City of Lyon’s environmentally conscious values. The trial proved conclusive immediately, and the staff quickly couldn’t imagine working without it.
In 2019, they invested in a second-generation Sanivap, an even more robust and reliable model, and trained the entire team in its use.
Today, Sanivap is used daily throughout the day, following a precise schedule: each educator has a designated cleaning day, from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The routine is well-established — entrance hall, kitchen at noon, snack area at 3 p.m., then cloakrooms, dormitories, and bathrooms at the end of the day. Each area follows a simple protocol. For floors, for instance, a quick sweep is performed with a lightly damp microfibre cloth, followed by the Sanivap.
The result is spotless, non-sticky floors, free from the residues once caused by chemical over-dosage. Chemical products have all but disappeared. Only a single disinfectant for changing tables and a descaler for toilets are still used for convenience.
The results are both visible and tangible: the premises look and feel clean, the air is fresher, free from any chemical odour, and real savings have been made on consumables.
“Our hands aren’t damaged anymore,” says Emma. “We don’t even need hand cream, which is something we once thought was absolutely essential.”
Every summer, the team performs a full deep clean. Thanks to Sanivap, furniture, floors and walls regain their original shine — ready for a fresh start in September. “It’s clean — and you can see it,” Emma concludes. “We barely notice it ourselves anymore as we’re so used to it, but visitors always do.”
Nocotech, the invisible positive effects of total disinfection
Emma’s other trusted ally is Nocotech — affectionately nicknamed “the ladybird.” This automated airborne disinfection system fits perfectly into the nursery’s schedule: a treatment every two days ensures each room is disinfected weekly.
The calendar is very precise, with babies’ dormitory treated on Mondays, toddlers’ on Wednesdays, and older children’s on Fridays.
Another clever idea further enhances efficiency. All the toys used that day are placed in the treated dormitory so they also benefit from complete disinfection in a single cycle.
Some objects, like wooden toys or foam motor-skills supports, couldn’t be disinfected otherwise.
The process is simple. Staff place a towel under the door, the cycle starts in the evening, and by morning there is no smell and no residue. During outbreaks such as bronchiolitis, gastroenteritis and the flu, Nocotech is used daily, but without disrupting the nursery’s operation.
“There’s nothing else like it,” says Emma. “It’s effective, simple, and totally safe for the children.”
SOLUTIONS THAT TRANSFORM EVERYDAY LIFE
The benefits are felt at every level, from air quality and visible cleanliness to staff comfort, and children’s safety. Gone are the days of cleaning trolleys, irritating products and unnecessary constraints. Oxy’Pharm’s solutions have blended seamlessly into the nursery’s protocols, becoming indispensable.
“These tools have genuinely made our lives easier and our environment healthier. Today, we couldn’t do without them,” says Emma Chaumette.
She also highlights the high-quality, responsive after-sales service and the reassurance of having a dedicated contact person — Mr Dubien, who knows the facility inside out and trained the entire team.
Asked what she would say to convince other nurseries to make the switch, Emma Chaumette doesn’t hesitate: “They’d only have to try it. In one week, they’d be won over.”