After most childcare workers were laid off from their jobs last year, most have not come back to the industry while the remaining childcare workers have started a trend of quitting. This has created a massive staff shortage that has left centers either closed for good or running at very low capacity.
For center directors trying to figure out the main reasons why their staff quits, here are the top 5 reasons that push childcare workers to quit.
Spending their own money for supplies
To aid in children’s learning and development, learning aids and supplies are needed. And sometimes, early childhood educators find themselves buying their own supplies in order to ensure their children learn in the best way possible. From crayons to papers, books, and even playdohs, childcare workers sometimes find they have no choice but to provide for these supplies in order to provide the best education for their kids.
But as one of the most poorly paid professionals in the United States, it’s not surprising to know that having to shoulder this extra expense could make them quit. With a salary that’s even lower than the median salary for their state, most childcare workers definitely feel the pinch when work supplies eat up a portion of their earnings.
Overloaded ratios
As staff shortage continues to ravage the childcare industry, those who stay behind are left with a burden that’s just become too heavy to carry. Being overwhelmed with too many kids in their care, no matter how well-behaved they are, can really bring a toll on a childcare worker.
Lack of adequate support
Early childhood educators have pointed out that kids have emerged out of the pandemic lockdowns with noticeable regressed social skills that need to be redeveloped. As a result, kids exhibit violent behavior directed towards childcare workers.
Add to that the demands of the job, and appreciative parents and it’s more than enough to trigger early childhood educators into resigning from their posts, if not outright quitting.
Long working hours with no breaks
Another reason childcare workers quit is the long working hours that could have them working 50-60 hours a week. Some have even reported that they aren’t able to mentally log off work, increasing its toll on their mental state.
Aside from having more work hours in a week, childcare workers find almost no time to take a breather and regain their composure while working with their children. Having a physically demanding and mentally taxing job can easily lead to a burnout, forcing childcare workers to leave a profession they love in favor of their health and well-being.
Getting better pay and benefits
With the massive staff shortage in the childcare industry, the tables have indeed turned in favor of the applicants. Now, childcare workers can quit on a Monday afternoon and have a new job by the next day–one with better hours, workload, pay, and benefits.
For center directors and daycare owners, this becomes an added pressure as they will need every single one of their experienced staff to stay open and continue serving the kids in their care.
As childcare directors try to hold onto their remaining staff, this is the best time to reconsider what you’re paying your staff and boost benefits in order to make tenured staff stay while attracting qualified applicants.
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