5 Days To 4 - Trying To Avoid Burnout

[Mom2Two]

was just going to suggest this.

Hiring a part time sub was the BEST decision ever.

Ooooh, tell me more, daycarediva. I have sometimes wondered about doing that. I do have hubby's help though, since he often works evening shifts and has a flexible daytime shift, so I've avoided it so far.

[Laurie]

I'm so glad you decided to do it!! Working a job that stresses you out isn't good for yourself, your family or the D.C. Kids!! Enjoy you new found freedom happyface

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I did this over 2 years ago! I lost a few full time clients and gained a LOT of part time clients. Most attend 2 days a week and a handful attend 4.

I'll also be shortening my hours to be 8.25-8.5 hour days soon enough.

I want more time with my own family.

[LovetheSun]

Go for it!
Where I used to work, the owner started with 3 days a week then went to 4 (for financial reasons). She was only open 4 days a week for about 2 years until she decided to open full time again for financial reasons. There is a lot of demands for shorter hours/days specially because is perfect for the stay at home parents who just want their children to socialize.

We shorten our hours and it CHANGED ME! I can take care of my family and myself, it feels so good even if enrollment for next year was trickier it worth it!

[CityGarden]

Yes go for it. I offer a shortened day and while it takes a little longer to fill those spaces it makes a world of difference for my life. (I still have one child full day but can't wait to be full and change that.)

I do require 30 days notice vs 2 weeks so that will hopefully make it easier.

[TSDaycare]

Absolutely do it if you can! I would LOVE that, Friday's are also my light day every week. A lot of parents around here work "condensed" schedules, 9 hrs per day with every other Friday off. Generally, the parents who respect me & what I do, keep their children on their day off, but I have one Mom who is off on Monday's with her schedule, but uses this as "her" day and doesn't take it in the summers when kids are off, doesn't make much sense to me! I would love just one day during the week to get errands ran instead of on crazy weekends.
It just simply amazes me how selfish parents are and need their "me" days during the week, but I'm expected to watch their children all 5 days, 10.5 hrs per day, and get my stuff done on the weekends.

[Sahmmie]

At least where I live, there are tons of people who want part time care but can't find it because most day cares only take full timers. And you ca charge more (hourly or daily) for part time which will help make up the difference for not being open full time anymore. In my area you could easily fill three days (Tues/Weds/Thurs) with higher paying part timers and make almost what you make being open full time.

[SunflowerMama]

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?

I feel I could have written this myself. I have 10 year old twin girls and feel like I'm missing out on so much and suffering from the same burn out you are. I have quite a few non-traditional families (work from home, flexible, part time) and a good waiting list that I really think this is something I could implement for the upcoming school year.

For those that made the switch did you poll your families first on the idea? How much notice did you give them? Did you receive a lot of push back?

[childcaremom]

I feel I could have written this myself. I have 10 year old twin girls and feel like I'm missing out on so much and suffering from the same burn out you are. I have quite a few non-traditional families (work from home, flexible, part time) and a good waiting list that I really think this is something I could implement for the upcoming school year.

For those that made the switch did you poll your families first on the idea? How much notice did you give them? Did you receive a lot of push back?

I am easing into a new job but still retaining a few days of daycare. I'm starting by taking Fridays off. Come September I am taking Mondays off, too. Although I am hopeful I will be able to close completely come the end of the summer. If not, I am switching to half days only and no longer offering a full day of care.

I did not ask my families. I just told them that I will no longer be open on Fridays. I gave 3 weeks notice. Reminded them that I need 2 weeks notice if they are not able to accomodate the change.

I anticipate a few families being unable to accomodate and the others finding a solution.

[SunflowerMama]

Ok so I'm seriously thinking about implementing this effective August 14th.

So how does this sound? Currently I offer full time 5 days at $185 and I have 2 part time families. One pays $144/wk for 3 days for 1 child and the other $185/wk for twins 2 days a week.

New Revised Pay Schedule Effective 8/14 Operating M-TH
4 set days per week - $175
3 set days per week - $145
2 set days per week - $95

I'm considering letting families know sooner rather than later so that if they cannot accommodate the new schedule I'll have plenty of time to grab folks off my waiting list.

[childcaremom]

Ok so I'm seriously thinking about implementing this effective August 14th.

So how does this sound? Currently I offer full time 5 days at $185 and I have 2 part time families. One pays $144/wk for 3 days for 1 child and the other $185/wk for twins 2 days a week.

4 set days per week - $175
3 set days per week - $145
2 set days per week - $95

I'm considering letting families know sooner rather than later so that if they cannot accommodate the new schedule I'll have plenty of time to grab folks off my waiting list.

That is on par with my rates and what my plans were, as well.

[organicdclady]

I switched to only 4 days per week and it works out so well for me and my family. I LOVE it and would never want to go back. I am able to charge the same rate I was charging for 5 days so its a win-win for me.

[SunflowerMama]

For those of you that are closed on Fridays what was your justification to parents? I know I don't HAVE to justify but I really do love all my families and think some might struggle with the change but I know it'll be the best thing for my personal well being and my own family's.

[Unregistered]

Every year in March or April I send out a form asking families if they will be returning for the new school year (August). I give a tentative closure list, how much tuition will be and my hours of operation, and any other changes. For my changing of hours of operation I just say personal reasons and that I understand if they need to find alternate care and leave it at that because it really isn't their business to know.

[e.j.]

For those of you that are closed on Fridays what was your justification to parents? I know I don't HAVE to justify but I really do love all my families and think some might struggle with the change but I know it'll be the best thing for my personal well being and my own family's.

Not that you should have to justify it but...There it is in the bolded section! For anyone who asked how my day care parents felt about me being closed, I would just say, "I can't be all things to all people. This works best for me and my family." For day care parents who asked during interviews, I would just explain that having Fridays off to schedule personal appointments allowed me to be more reliable for them M-Th.