This post may contain affiliated links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure statement here.
This blog is all about time management tips.
Do you ever feel like your week runs you and not the other way around? Between lesson planning, dirty diapers, cleaning, and updating business documents, the weeks are overwhelming.
The good news is there is an easier way! If you implement these time management tips, you'll be on track to take back control of your week and feel less stressed!
TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
Make A Schedule & To-Do List
One of the easiest time management tips you can do today is make a schedule! Just like you have a daycare schedule, you need to make a schedule for yourself and tasks that always need to be done as well. You need to create a weekly and daily schedule to complete certain tasks.
Make a schedule for cleaning, planning, updating documents, updating the website, or updating the daycare app, etc. When creating this schedule create one for personal things such as cleaning and business. Write the schedule down in your planner!
For example, Monday is bathroom cleaning day and stocking supplies. Tuesday, soak all of the toys for a deep clean and change out the dramatic play. On Wednesday, plan lessons for the next week. Thursday, print and prep the materials for lessons for the next week. Friday, update daycare documentation, tax records, write and schedule weekly newsletters. Have a monthly schedule for certain tasks, such as changing filters, wiping down kitchen cabinets.
Utilize nap time when you can! First, unwind and take a mental break during nap, you deserve it and need it! Then take care of lunch dishes, your personal laundry, and to-do list, lesson planning, writing emails, updating daycare communication app, etc. You don't have to work outside of daycare hours if you don't want to. Although completing these tasks outside of daycare hours will increase your time-space percentage for tax deductions, you can read more on that, The Best Tips Guaranteed To Make You Understand Daycare Taxes Like A Pro!
Have your daycare planner open and keep a running to-do list. When you think of something that needs to be done, write it down.
Batch Your Work
When you batch your work, you save yourself so much time! Batching is where you group like tasks together. This allows you to stay focused on one task, completing it before moving on to another task. Batching increases your overall productivity and time management!
If you send out weekly newsletters, write the whole month's emails in one setting and then schedule them for the month. If you include photos from the week, you can easily tweak the emails before they are sent.
When prepping lessons, print and prep all of the lessons and supplies needed for the week ahead.
If you have a website for your daycare, write all of the blog posts at once, then schedule them out for the month.
Batch cook and freeze. Have a day where you cook bulk items to freeze for quick meals later. Or when you are baking, make extras to freeze for another day. When cooking dinner for your family, double the recipe for lunch the next day.
Prioritizing & Delegating Tasks
As much as you want to accomplish everything on your to-do list, you can't! It's never-ending, and there's always going to be something that needs to be done.
This is why you have to prioritize tasks. What's the most important task to be done for the day? Do it first! That way, if your day gets away from you, at least the most important task was completed.
Delegate tasks! If you can afford a house cleaner, hire one! A portion of their fee will be a tax write-off. If you're lucky enough to have employees in your daycare, delegate stocking supplies, prepping lesson materials, or other tasks to them.
Create monthly meal plans and then rotate them every few months. You can create a meal plan in your daycare planner. Delegate groceries by having them delivered to your house.
Instead of reinventing the wheel for lessons every week, invest in a curriculum that is already done for you! Once you make this investment, you can use the same lessons every year and make small tweaks as needed.
Time-Saving Tools
Time management begins with a schedule and ends with tools to help save time! One of the best time-saving tools is Brightwheel! You can create billing plans and set them up on auto-pay, so you never have to track down parents for payments again or wait for your paycheck! You can create your weekly newsletters within Brightwheel. Daily communications between you and the family. Parents can even send you updated immunization records and other documentation within the app. Have your wait list in one central location with Brightwheel. Hey, and don't forget the very low monthly premium is 100% tax deductible!
Tax record keeping doesn't have to be complicated or messy with this tax expenses spreadsheet! It is designed by a home daycare provider for home daycare providers. Keep track of income, expenses, meals served, miles, and hours worked in one spreadsheet!
A planner that is specifically for daycare providers! One where you can keep track of all your personal appointments, bills, tasks, and also have all daycare information in one central location. Managing two different planners is stressful.
If you write weekly newsletters through email, use an email marketing platform so you can schedule them. Flodesk is extremely user-friendly, affordable, and has so many cute templates, you don't have to recreate the wheel, saving yourself time! Try it for free or you can grab the first year 50% off! Another win is it's 100% tax-deductible!
Running a daycare, staying organized, and productive can be overwhelming. With these time management tips, you'll be on track to take back control of your week!
Related Posts:
The Best Daycare Scheduling Tips: Balancing Babies, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
Want A Thriving Childcare Business? Planning Goals Will Help You Be Successful