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Has anyone gone from monday-friday to monday-thursday? I am suffering from some very real burn out and have considered trying to get an outside job, but I really do value what I do here and enjoy the kids and working from home (I do in-home care for 6-8 kids, including my own 2). Both of my boys will be in full time school next year - the school they go to has minimum days 3 fridays out of the month. I am day dreaming about taking fridays off to take them to school, volunteer in their classrooms and then spend the afternoon with them. My burn-out stems from not really having time for my own kids anymore, I hate missing out on things at their school, I hate not being able to drive them to school or pick them up, I feel frustrated when they are home and they want my help but I can't help them because I'm still working. I'm wondering if anyone else has done this (I think I have heard of some folks on this forum moving to fewer days or shorter hours). I have mostly part time clients, so I really don't think it will effect most of them. Fridays are already my lowest day - I might lose one client, but I already have a sibling who is waiting for a space. Any thoughts?
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I'm not very experienced, so I'm not sure how much weight you want to give my opinion but I think you should go for it. If you lose one, you have another waiting!I have mostly part time clients, so I really don't think it will effect most of them. Fridays are already my lowest day - I might lose one client, but I already have a sibling who is waiting for a space. Any thoughts? -
I think you should try it. I have found that in this business it is best to adjust to what is best for you so that you don't get burned out and throw in the towel. Another option might be to consider hiring some help. That way you could have your Friday open but still retain your client.Comment
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A couple of years ago I was in the same situation. My child wanted to do things on the weekend or after the work day which was 4pm, but I had no energy left or was doing things for the daycare. I finally switched to Monday-Thursday and it was the best decision I made. My child started preschool and I was able to go on field trips with him and attend some of his school functions. Fridays I still did some daycare related work while my child is in preschool and that freed up my weekends. I now am open Monday-Thursday and shortened my hours more to 8-3 instead of 7-4. Only one family left when I switched to Monday-Thursday because there was no one to watch their child on Friday. Everyone else were able to make it work.Comment
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Thanks for the advice, everyone! I have done the numbers on hiring an assistant, and I just really don't think I can financially make that work at this time. I think I will do the numbers on cutting back to M-Th and look at trying to do that starting with the new school year in August.Comment
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Wondering how it has gone since you started the M-Th schedule - after your first group aged out, was it harder to find new clients? Or are you still working with the same group of kids from that time? I'm slightly worried about when the kids I have age out, will it be too tough to replace them.Comment
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Definitely! I just went from 4 days to 5 and it is noticeable how much more stressful it is. I am lucky because the schedule ends in June and then I am back to 4 days again.
I find that having one day to yourself (saturday) is just not enough. Sunday ends up being all about preparing for the week ahead and cleaning up, laundry etc. Two days to myself is perfect! you really habe to know what you can and cannot handke with this job. I knew 5 days would be rough but figured I could handle it for a few months. I worked 5 days before but only 1/2 days on Tuesday and Thursday. Even half days are a relief
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My daycare is not open on Fridays and I love it. I got lucky to begin with and found families that didn't need care on Fridays. Now I just advertise that I am not open on Fridays and still get kids to enroll.Comment
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When I first started doing day care, I worked M-F. Once my kids started going to school, though, I found I really needed one day a week so I could schedule appointments without worrying about inconveniencing my dc families. I had Fridays off for years and had no trouble finding families who needed M-Th care.
I went back to working on Fridays a couple of years ago when a few of my dc families needed care for that day. I have no regrets doing it but I am looking forward to the day I can start closing on Fridays again! My house was much cleaner and I felt less stressed out when I had that extra day to get things done. If you can do it, I'd say go for it! If it doesn't work out for you, you can always go back to opening on Fridays.Comment
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Personally I'd never go to 4 days because when my children were in child care we needed care 5 days a week, so I wouldn't do that to my parents. But when I started feeling burned out I shortened my hours and made sure to take paid days off regularly. Both things made a big difference.
That said, if it works for you, go for it! happyfaceComment
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I didn't have a problem enrolling children. It just worked out where families that enrolled have flexible schedules, have one stay at home parent, or have other family members that care for their child. It all depends on your area and what families are looking for. I recently switched from offering full (M-Th) and part time to only offering part time (2 days a week). It's been okay so far.Comment
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Over the last few years, I've started closing early on Fridays for the summer months only.
This summer, I am tossing the idea around of just closing all together for Fridays. The families I do have that use care on Fridays usually hire a teenager for that day, swap around their schedules to accommodate the change or they figure it out in whatever way works for them.
My 5 day switch to 4 is only temporary though but it still gives me a relatively accurate idea how my current clients can/will manage if I decided to make it permanent.
I agree with the poster that said do what YOU need to do and let the families figure out if it works for them or not.
There are lots of daycares in my community that are open 3 days a week, 4 days a week, afternoons or mornings only or whatever days work for them. We have one provider that is open Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday only. She is always full.Comment
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I closed on Friday's a few years ago - it has been amazing! I highly recommend it.
I also switched to part time care only. I take kids 1-3 days a week. It's great because I am one of the few providers in my area who offers part time only. I find that most families are using it as a way to socialize their children or to get a day or two to themselves. My full time working parents have tons of family who enjoy having the kids on the days I don't. Which means that taking time off to focus on my kids is never a problem, mom and dad are either home, or Gramma is in the area to help out.
When I made the switch I only lost one family, but now I almost always am full. And I am not as stressed out as I used to be!
I hope you do it!!Comment
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All your responses make me feel so much better! Thank you for all your input - I feel like this will really be a great change for me. I have been feeling so worn down, by all of it, and I already feel better just imagining a quiet Friday morning to clean, plan, get ready for the week ahead, etc.
So great to hear it has worked for so many of you!
Thanks again
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