Childcare professionals have one of the most rewarding yet demanding jobs. Long hours and emotional investment can lead to stress and burnout, which impacts both your staff and the quality of care they provide.
Prioritizing staff wellness helps create a supportive work environment where your team feels valued and can thrive. This article explores the main causes of stress for childcare workers and offers six effective strategies to promote well-being in your childcare program.
Table of contents
- What causes stress in child care?
- Why is staff wellness important?
- 6 ways to improve employee well-being
- How to build a staff wellness program
What causes stress in child care?
Working in child care is demanding. The daily pressures, combined with relatively low wages, can create a highly stressful environment for professionals. Understanding the primary causes of stress is the first step toward building a supportive childcare program that promotes staff wellness.
Low pay
Childcare workers are often compensated with lower wages and receive fewer employer-sponsored benefits. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for childcare workers was $15.41 in May 2024, compared to $17.33 for elementary and secondary school educators. The difference is even more striking when compared to the median for all occupations, which was at $23.80, nearly 65% higher than that of childcare workers.
The wages for childcare workers are not keeping up with the rising cost of living. The Early Childcare Workforce Index 2024 report states that “in every state, the median ECE (early childhood education) wage falls below the living wage for a single adult with no children.” According to the report, this gap ranges from 8% below the living wage in Hampshire, to 32% in Hawaii. As a result, childcare workers often face ongoing stress and anxiety about making ends meet, which may force them to take on additional jobs to supplement their income. Working multiple jobs and double shifts can lead to burnout among childcare workers.
Lack of appreciation
Low pay also reflects a lack of appreciation. Child care is an extremely demanding profession that requires significant physical, mental, and emotional effort, yet it remains largely undervalued in society.
Childcare professionals are expected to create and constantly maintain a nurturing learning environment, while also managing classroom behavior and tending to the different needs of individual children in their care. Despite the central role they play in the development of children, society often overlooks the significance of their contributions.
Lack of training and support
Childcare professionals are a very diverse group, with different educational backgrounds, cultures, and previous work experience. This can lead to gaps in knowledge and the need to align with best practices. These gaps are particularly noticeable when it comes to the additional administrative tasks that educators are required to handle.
Without adequate and systematic professional training, childcare professionals can find themselves lacking the tools they need to do their job as well as they could. This struggle to meet job demands without proper support and resources can significantly contribute to stress and burnout among childcare workers.
Why is staff wellness important?
Promoting staff wellness offers significant benefits for your educators, your business, and the children you care for. When your team is healthy and supported, they can create a more vibrant and nurturing learning environment.
Improve overall well-being
Suffering from professional stress and burnout can affect both your work and home life, impacting your entire well-being. A very stressful environment at work is not something most people can leave behind at the end of the day, so it often continues to affect them after hours. This can lead to sleep disturbances, increasing tensions in personal relationships, and persistent feelings of stress and anxiety.
Stress over a long period of time can contribute to serious health conditions, such as heart disease, body aches, and overall weakened immune function. It can also increase the risk of accidents at work due to physical and mental exhaustion.
Mental health is important, because childcare workers need be healthy, both emotionally and physically, to effectively care for children and provide a nurturing environment.
Attract and retain top talent
The significant impact of work-related stress means employees are more likely to leave their jobs when they are constantly stressed and fear burnout. Employees are increasingly seeking workplaces where their mental health is prioritized by both themselves and their employers. In a recent survey by the American Psychological Association, 81% responded that employer’s support for mental health is an important consideration for their future job searches.
Focusing on the mental health and well-being of your childcare staff means that you can attract and retain top talent in your program. Stress in child care can drive away educators who are great at their job but seek better working conditions. It also means that those who stay underperform in their jobs, because constant stress comes with feelings of exhaustion, lack of focus and motivation. Emphasizing staff wellness will help you attract and retain excellent staff who can perform at their best and create engaging and nurturing environments for the children in your care.
6 ways to improve employee well-being
While you can't control all the stressors in your employees' lives, a dedicated staff wellness program can make a significant difference. Here are six key areas to focus on to enhance well-being for your team.
- Foster open communication: Create a culture where it’s safe to talk about wellness. Check in with your team regularly to ask about their stress levels and signs of burnout. Following up shows your commitment and helps address challenges before they grow.
- Conduct constructive performance reviews: Frequent, informal check-ins can make the review process less stressful. Acknowledge great work and offer specific, actionable feedback. For childcare workers, who are often under-appreciated, recognition can significantly boost morale.
- Encourage staff feedback: Open communication is a two-way street. Ask for your team's thoughts on new policies or what they need to do their jobs better. Acting on their feedback helps create a workplace where your team can thrive.
- Promote work-life balance: Encourage your team to take breaks and use their personal days to decompress. Offering flexible hours can also help them manage outside responsibilities, reducing overall stress and preventing burnout.
- Provide adequate staffing and professional development: Ensure your childcare program is properly staffed so workloads are reasonable. Investing in your team’s professional development gives them the tools to succeed and shows you value their growth.
- Foster a sense of belonging: Cultivate a supportive team culture where colleagues collaborate and build positive relationships. Employees who feel part of a community are more motivated and resilient during stressful times.
Childcare Staff Wellness Checklist
A free checklist to promote health and wellness at your childcare program.
How to build a staff wellness program
Creating a successful staff wellness program doesn't have to be complicated. Start by identifying your team's specific needs and preferences through surveys or informal conversations. A good program might include:
- Mental health support: Offer access to counseling services, mental health resources, or stress management workshops. Consider incorporating mindfulness or meditation breaks into the workday.
- Physical well-being: Encourage physical activity by organizing group walks, offering discounts to local gyms, or providing healthy snack options.
- Work-life balance: Promote flexible scheduling where possible, discourage excessive overtime, and ensure staff take their breaks and annual leave.
- Social connection: Organize team-building activities, social events, or even just regular opportunities for informal check-ins and peer support.
- Recognition and appreciation: Regularly acknowledge your staff's hard work and dedication. Simple gestures of appreciation can significantly boost morale.
Remember, a wellness program is a continuous effort, evolving with your team's needs. Regularly gather feedback to ensure it remains relevant and effective.
Final thoughts
Childcare work is demanding, requiring physical and mental endurance to create a safe, nurturing environment for children. The pressures can lead to stress and burnout, especially for staff managing financial and personal obligations.
Prioritizing your team's mental health by implementing a staff wellness program can protect them from stress, improve job performance, and increase satisfaction. Promoting staff wellness is a win for your team and your childcare program.
