Changing Perspectives: Staffing, Ratio and End of the Day Management

The Benefits of Opting In- Try out an "Early Exit" and "Stay & Play" List!

Managing staff at a childcare center can be challenging, especially when it comes to balancing ratios, ensuring adequate coverage, and meeting the needs of a team with varying desires for extra hours—or fewer of them.

The Problem

When staff members repeatedly ask to leave early throughout the day or push back when you ask them to stay, it can feel like a constant battle.

Some directors deal with the frustration of constant interruptions from staff asking, "Can I leave early today?" These requests, while understandable, often disrupt the flow of the day, create frustration among team members, and undermine the sense of fairness in the center.

On the flip side, you may have a group of educators who are more than willing to work their entire shifts or even stay late but feel frustrated if they’re unexpectedly asked to go home. They might feel like they’re being taken advantage of when they don’t have the opportunity to work their entire shift. You may receive an eye roll, sigh, or even resistance to leaving when you ask them to.

On top of that, keeping a well-oiled machine in terms of ratios is essential for profitability, but without an organized system in place to handle staff cuts when ratios are met, the day can feel like a never-ending guessing game. So how do you strike a balance between meeting staffing needs and creating a positive work culture where everyone feels appreciated? Try putting control back into the employee’s hands with the Early Exit List and Stay & Play List.