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I recently started a job at a new center after 10 years at a preschool. Is it common to ask for a teacher to double as custodial staff? While I always cleaned tables from projects and meals as well as swept floors, I was shocked that I am expected to mop floors, empty trash and take turns cleaning staff bathrooms.
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That's very common. Most centers simply can't afford to hire someone to do just those things, so they have the teachers do it. At my center, I have to clean tables after every meal, sweep the floor after every meal, mop during naptime, and vacuum, clean the bathroom, and take out the trash after all the kids leave; in addition to cleaning anything that looks dirty. -
Yes, very common, especially at a smaller center. I did bit have to do these things when I worked at a large corporate cud care, but every individual owned and smaller corporate childcare I had to do these things.Comment
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my first time working with young kids was in a center many many moons ago and even back then I had to share in daily cleaning duties of the whole school, even the kitchen.
During nap time we were rotated out to different areas, leaving enough teachers to keep in ratios for naps. We only got a 30min lunch and the rest of the nap period we cleaned or rotated out so that another teacher could go eat and clean. All in all it worked well, but there was always someone who slacked on their duties. We were not to clock out until everything was checked off our check list.Comment
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Yes, it's pretty common. At the first center I was at we not only had to clean our classroom (sweep, mop, vacuum, etc) we were also responsible for cleaning the bathroom.Comment
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Yes, we clean our room, toys, and bathroom. It is basically our area and we are expected to keep it clean with a checklist of items to clean daily and weekly.Comment
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Yep, the one time I worked a church center, we did everything from curriculum to cleaning toilets... actual public schools hire janitors, never known a daycare center to have one; even the kitchen staff are responsible for that area.Comment
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I think it is common. However I would t like cleaning bathrooms. I work in a center in a military base. We do hav custodial staff. For cleaning, caregivers are responsible for cleaning up after snack (wipe tables and sweep). and each room takes a turn to clean the staff break room for one week. Custodial staff take care of everything else.
I remember when the furloughs happened and the custodial staff was cut during the furloughs. We ended up having one staff member just do all the cleaning duties.Comment
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yup! Cleaning is involved, We have to do everything from cleaning the restroom, which is really dirty and nasty! You got tables, vacuum, empty trash, and a a lot of things. I hate it when i have to unclog the toilet and i get poop water on me
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Pretty common. It's been part of the job duties at most of the centers I've been in.Comment
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I need to preface this by saying I am NOT making fun of you OP but I have to say, your statement is kind of funny and indicative of a majority of today's workforce.
I don't know, maybe it's your use of the word "shocked" or just the way you stated your issue...
....as if mopping floors and taking the trash out is beneath anyone.
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It's just part of the day.
I'm sure even the POTUS has taken the trash out a time or two in his lifetime.
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I was thinking it, but you said it.... :I need to preface this by saying I am NOT making fun of you OP but I have to say, your statement is kind of funny and indicative of a majority of today's workforce.
I don't know, maybe it's your use of the word "shocked" or just the way you stated your issue...
....as if mopping floors and taking the trash out is beneath anyone. ::
It's just part of the day.
I'm sure even the POTUS has taken the trash out a time or two in his lifetime.:::::
- Unless otherwise stated, all my posts are personal opinion and worth what you paid for them.
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I can kind of see the OP's point.
WAIT!! ::
Not that I feel any of that is beneath me.
BUT, if I went to work at a preschool or center, my expectation would be that there were staff to fulfill various jobs. For instance, most centers hire a cook, as teachers are not expected to supervise, teach, etc and cook the lunch.
I would have no issue mopping up or vacuuming the child care classroom, but would not be thrilled about cleaning employee bathrooms. Aside from the ick factor (and yes, adult poo is grosser than kid poo!:: ) I'd worry that the cutting of corners (having instructional staff doing the heavy cleaning) meant the business wasn't going well.
Generally though, I would expect lite cleaning to be a part of my responsibilities.Comment
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I work in a small center, so no employee bathroom, break room, or anything like that to do. Our director does all cooking, and cleaning of the kitchen, and each teacher is expected to keep their area clean. Each room has it's own bathroom, which kids and teachers share and we are responsible to clean. I never thought of staff areas. I do know we have been told if we don't want to clean, she would hire cleaning staff, but it would mean less money for raises and such. So it really comes down to would we rather clean or make less money.Comment
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