The Burnout Childcare Provider

Have you ever questioned whether you want to continue being a childcare provider?

Well, guess what? It happens to the best of us. You’re probably feeling this way because being a childcare provider can become weariness. If you start to feel completely exhausted, you’re becoming a burnout childcare provider. When you start to feel burnout, you first want to take some time to understand where it originated. Burnout can occur for many reasons, such as being overworked, low pay, underappreciation, long hours, lack of support, and the list goes on. Once you figure out where it originated, find a solution that works for you to prevent you from continuing to be burnout. Some ways to avoid becoming burnout include:

• Time off – Take some much-needed time off. Consider making federal holidays paid days off. In addition, schedule two weeks of vacation every year. It may not seem like that many days, but it helps. You can use these days to rejuvenate your mind and body.

• Policies – A reason why many daycare providers become burnout is because of parents. Some parents will take advantage of you, which is why you must be firm with your policies and procedures and enforce them. These policies were put in place for a reason and can help prevent becoming burnout.

• Record Keeping – Record keeping can be very stressful if you’re not organized. Always be prepared if a state representative pops for an unannounced visit. This can be done by having all the documentation required by your state organized in one place where they are easily accessible when you need them. Some records can include but are not limited to registration packages, birth certificates, fire drills, severe weather drills, background check(s), and attendance sheets. In addition, invest in a daycare planner to keep track of income, expenses, and receipts for tax purposes.

• Daily Schedule – How do you spend your days when the kids are in your care? Ensure you create a by-the-hour daily schedule to define how the day will go when the kids are in your care. Organizing days can help days go by much smoother and reduce your stress levels.

• Provider Appreciation – Everyone else may not appreciate you how you deserve to be appreciated, so take some time to appreciate yourself. Add an extra 5-10 dollars to each child’s weekly pay and use this money to pamper yourself every week. This is known as a form of self-care. Self-care improves your health and mental well-being. In addition, it helps manage stress and increases energy.

• Scheduling – Free up your weekends. If you usually plan things for your daycare on the weekends, take some time to prepare them during weekdays. You can plan during naptime, before the kids arrive or after the kids leave. Or take one weekend to plan for the entire month. The point is to enjoy as many weekends as possible with your family and friends on weekends (daycare free).

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