Not everyone realizes the seriousness of being a child care director and the responsibility that comes with it. Most people believe that the child care director's only responsibility is to ensure that the teachers are watching the children. However, a lot more work needs to be done to run a successful child care program. Most child care directors find it very hard to manage their time due to their hectic schedules. Here are some tips on how to manage your time if you are a child care director.
Delegate your tasks:
If you want to manage your time effectively, you must learn how to delegate your tasks—sharing tasks to people working under you to learn and take responsibility for some of the functions is vital. You must also trust your assistant and teachers to fulfill the commitment given to them. Delegating tasks will enable you to maximize your time, and with the assistant and teacher's help, double can be done in the same amount of time.
Plan your day:
I suggest taking some time off at the start of the day or the night before to plan for the day ahead. You can list what has to be done throughout the day and then schedule how you will go about all the activities and tasks. This way, you will stay organized throughout the day, and you know what to do at what time. Thus, it will be easier for you to manage your time. Keep in mind to plan your day according to your capability. You must not overschedule your day, and there must be time for a break.
Prioritize your tasks:
When you have your to-do list for the day, it is essential to highlight the critical tasks. The more important tasks, such as compliance issues, must have to be done first so that the vital part will complete even if they consume more time. The less critical task must be kept as a second priority. This way, your time as Director will be managed better.
Take a break regularly:
Child care managers have very tough jobs, and they require a break to relax as well. Don't treat your body like a machine, and don't stress out. Take regular breaks between your tasks for 10-15 minutes so that the next task you do is with a fresh mind. This way, all your tasks will be completed correctly, with ease. Moreover, your body and mind will also not feel tired or drained if you keep taking regular breaks.
Some people are not born with the skill of time management. However, if you practice it weekly or daily, you will get the hang of it. Especially for daycare directors, time management is the key if they want all their tasks done on time.
Author
Sheika Petteway
Mentor & Strategist for Child Care Directors
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