Childcare provider burnout is when an educator loses passion and energy for working with small children in daycare centers, but remains in his or her position in the field. It is common in the daycare industry yet there are simple ways to combat daycare burnout. It is especially common for those who provide 24 hour daycare.
We asked the OwnADaycare Facebook Fans: What are some things that daycare providers can do to relieve stress and “take a break”? Here some more great tips from our readers that help fight daycare burnout:
- I suffer from burnout from time to time (and I only work M-F from 8-5:30). I find that taking time off, doing things I enjoy, and changing things in the child care help the most. So, just a random personal day would be one example. Or going to a child care conference or a scrapbooking weekend with friends. Or rearranging the playroom or changing our routine or finding some new, interesting activities to do.
- I think one thing that really helps as well is a strong support network or backup person. I used to feel like I was trapped here because I couldn’t go to appointments, trainings, family events because I didn’t have anyone to cover for me.
- I take some classes (try make and take or craft classes) to get my passion back. I don’t have this problem right now. Hard to get burnt out with only 1 part time daycare child.
- Margarita Fridays….
- I go through this a couple of times every year. I try to take one day each month off for myself as well as the holidays and a week of vacation somewhere warm when it is cold here in MN. I also try to get out with other women once or twice a month for girls nights. Girl’s nights for me are Bunco or dinner.
- You have to keep some time for yourself!! Keep your weekends FREE!! Your sanity is worth something. WE ALL need that break… it’s healthy and very beneficial, and makes you a better provider. I speak from 35 years’ experience too!!
- I know it has been said by many but you need to take time for yourself. In the long run it usually isn’t worth you working all the time. I have done everything from working 6-7 days a week and when I opened I worked 545AM-930PM and I just got so burnt out tired all the time and crabby. I quit doing weekends and nights. I am now only open which is still a very long day 545AM-6PM. I get very crabby if 6PM comes and not all my kiddos are picked up yet.
- I started giving myself one hour after the daycare closes to finish up on any paperwork, cleaning, prep. After that, it’s my time. I also designate one weekend day “daycare free” I don’t do any paper, cleaning, shopping, for the daycare. Also I realized that if I’m home on holidays or days off, I tend to focus on the daycare so I take mini trips to the beach, go for a drive, explore any free things in the community.
- I don’t get burnt out but do want a day off every once in a while to get stuff done. I work 7:15-5:15 Mon-Fri and usually a couple days a week am done at 4 and that’s more than enough for me. I understand that the money can be very good working longer hours or weekends, but it’s so not worth it. I make sure also to do dishes/laundry at nap time and even through dinner in the slow cooker this way right when my kiddies leave I can sit and do nothing lol. I also don’t have any infants, my youngest is 15 months. I wish you all luck who are experiencing burnt out. And hope the holidays help.
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