https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 16 May 2026 03:35:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838997 Fri, 10 Aug 2018 04:44:15 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2838997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO has moved classes 7 times since starting daycare at 3.5 months old and he’s now 2. I know there are new faces in his old classes when I peak in, but there’s also quite a bit of consistency. The directors always share it’s hard to retain good teachers. I recall one new teacher LO had clearly did not like the age group and she didn’t stay long at the daycare maybe a month. Some teachers move away or start families and leave because of that. I wish they would communicate better if there’s going to be a change especially when it’s a good story like so and so is now a teacher in this classroom. Our daycare really floats teachers around to help support each other, which is great since they move classes so much for the kids and teachers. It’s nice that new teachers are already familiar with LO. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838779 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:29:00 +0000 kiddosc 2838779@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just switched our daycare with this same issue being a major contributing factor. There was a really high rate of turnover with no communication and I was really upset about repeatedly coming to pick up my daughter and not knowing the name of the person that was watching her or knowing what had happened to the teacher that was there last week. I spoke to the interim director about it (the long director search was also an issue), and she assured me they would better communicate changes, but that didn't happen. I was left wondering if they were just hiring anyone who walked in the door (reliable or not) because they needed employees, or if there was a major problem within the administration that was making teachers want to leave.</p> <p>We had been with this daycare for 4 years and our daughter had been there since an infant, now 2. We decided to just look around to see what else was available and ended up finding another center that we absolutely love. I wasn't dead set on leaving the other center, and I know they were on their way to trying to fix their issues, but in the end I couldn't wait around for them to get it right. We had made a lot of friends there over the years and it was hard to leave, but ultimately it's what was best. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838773 Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:17:33 +0000 Elizabear 2838773@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Daycare teachers can make as little as $8 per hour and I would think the average starting salary is around $10. I would think any certified teachers are always keeping their options open and although they may love the kids and what they do that isn't a long term sustainable salary. I do see the trend that there is less movement from preschool and up. Our school, which I love, has an interesting model that they have their classroom teacher who handles diapering/toileting, boo boos, helping student interactions, discipline, and the special who does the lesson. As a teacher myself, I think its amazing for someone to handle all of the 'distributions" while instruction continues. My daughter has 8-9 teachers daily (two at a time). In her two years in the toddler program, I would say 5 teachers remain consistent. There has been some movement within the the school and some new teachers. They try to hire certified teachers so in general I've really liked the "greenness" of the new staff members - cheerful, positive, ready to change the world. Some changes we've been notified about and some have been mysterious. One teacher notified the parents that her last day would be friday and then we never saw her again. I thought maybe she wasn't supposed to do that and administration had to answer a lot of questions about replacement. I would think anyone good wouldn't last longer than a year or two unless they have great financial support from a spouse of family. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838686 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 20:41:44 +0000 MrsSRS 2838686@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yep turnover is high, but better centers handle it better. Poor communication and leadership seems to be an unfortunately common theme in the industry. The turnover is generally because this is hard, vital work, but crappy pay and often bad administrations. I teach 2 year olds full time, and I couldn't afford to have my own 2 children in daycare if I had to pay full price. And definitely couldn't handle normal bills on top of that. It's why I work at a center with a good teacher discount and have 2 other jobs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838652 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 15:53:49 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2838652@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@superkate I had similar impressions and I am curious as we move into more of the preschool rooms if we will see longer tenure teachers. They definitely hire a lot right out of college for the supporting roles.</p> <p>@desertdreams88 thank you for the perspective, it is so unfortunate that the pay is not stronger.</p> <p>I appreciate the feedback and I think we will see how the next transition goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838635 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 14:56:01 +0000 DesertDreams88 2838635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have a kid in daycare but I worked at 2, and it's my impression that there is usually a lot of turnover because it is low pay and low benefits so it's hard to make it long-term. At both of my places, they had about 10-15 students per age / grade, so about 60-80 kids total on any given day? And I would say about 1 out of every 10 staff members left every 2 months? It's been about 10 years though.... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838613 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 13:03:02 +0000 superkate 2838613@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our daycare has pretty high turnover as well, so it doesn't seem abnormal. Turnover does seem highest for the younger rooms (infants and toddlers) and most of the twos, preschool and pre-k teachers have all been there the entirety of our time. </p> <p>DS is two so he's in his third room (infant, toddler and two-year-olds) and we've experienced a lot of turnover:</p> <p>Infant room: Main teacher left less than a month after he started; replacement was there the rest of his time in the room but left a month later; the second teacher is still there.</p> <p>Toddler room: Main teacher left a month before he moved up to the 2s (so was with her 11 months); had three second teachers in 12 months</p> <p>Both his current teachers have been there since we started at the daycare, so there is some stability there. Our place does utilize recent college grads (we live in a college town) a bit for the second teacher roll in the younger rooms, so that definitely plays a part in the turnover. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838595 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 11:39:39 +0000 Mommy Finger 2838595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our center had a year or so of high turnover. I was more upset by how they handled it. As in minimal communication about when there is a new teacher. That being said, it totally worked it self out and they've been relatively stable. I agree that as long as your child is thriving and having no issues and you like the school otherwise, I wouldn't worry. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838591 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 11:21:02 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2838591@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsbells, that is good to hear. I am hope it does happen to slow down after this as it is the only program of this type in our area.</p> <p>@snowjewelz yes they both alluded to being unsupported by management which is disheartening to hear. The tone at the top is so critical in any organization and there just seems to be silence at the top. </p> <p>Interestingly enough I posted on a local parenting group that I am part of for generic daycare recommendations, no mention of the concern, and our current daycare is tied for the most recommendations with the other program we liked but have not been able to get into (on the waiting list since before DS was born!). And the recommendations are from current parents, it may be that we have been the only ones to experience this and notice it ;). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838586 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 10:43:38 +0000 snowjewelz 2838586@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MACSUNSHINE: I will say that my friend's center has a high turnover rate and also 2 teachers suddenly resigned together and my friend got it out of one of them that it was they really bad a problem with the administration :sad: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838585 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 10:34:55 +0000 Mrsbells 2838585@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MACSUNSHINE: DDs first daycare went thrigh a phase of whay felt like high turnover and I considered pulling her out. In the end it all balanced out and we kept her there til we moved out of that area. I think you have to follow your gut instinct. How the upper management behaves really sets the tone for the whole place. I would address your concerns with them and see what happens </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838566 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:30:46 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2838566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@snowjewelz exactly, I have wondered why for a bit but had sort of put it out of my mind since he did have the same teacher for the last year. This center is not cheap, I feel guilty that we are paying more and the teachers clearly do not feel valued and appreciated. I definitely learned more since I knew these teachers best and was disappointed to hear what I heard. </p> <p>Thanks @mrslonghorn and @muffinsmuffins, most of my friends use family so I have no sounding board for is this reasonable. It is extremely helpful to hear from others!</p> <p>We will explore other options, luckily there is no rush at this moment as he seems happy and the baby has a bit before she will start. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838555 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:19:07 +0000 snowjewelz 2838555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That to me is abnormal, just because DD1 has been there since 10 months and she's heading to pre-k now and DD2 started when she was 6 months and is now 1.5. And DD2 has had all the same teachers and even assistants in the baby room and now toddler room. </p> <p>With that said, as long as your son is happy there, and the standards and practices have not changed even with the turnover and they make it as seamless as possible, I wouldn't worry too much. But I guess I'd always wonder why... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838553 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:15:16 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2838553@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For perspective, DS has been at the same centre for 2 years with zero turnover. They even have a couple teachers with 20+ years working there. They take ECE students so that can vary but the main teachers have all been the same and they interact with all levels so he knows the teachers in different rooms. They rotate on breaks and such to keep ratios. When he moved to the preschool room they shifted a couple of them as I believe they opened another room and hired one of the students or temps but that’s it.</p> <p> I think you’re right to question it and I would maybe have a second option just in case but if your son is doing well, that’s the most important thing. If the working environment is great, I would expect low turnover. Every once in a while as staff moves or whatnot is normal. The entire staff, not so much. I think of previous jobs I had where everyone left within a year period and it was because of the work environment, wages, and head office for sure. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838551 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 09:14:59 +0000 MrsLonghorn 2838551@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If your child is thriving and happy, I wouldn't panic. That said, I would still explore other options.</p> <p>We started at a daycare center that sounds similar, and thought we were happy with it. They are a national provider, with sites that get rave review around the country, but this location was awful. In the 18 months we were there, DS was in 2 classrooms and had no fewer than 11 different teachers....it has been a while, so I don't remember the exact count. Turnover was insane - one teacher gave notice at 10am on a Tuesday, and just walked out of the building :shocked: </p> <p>We left for a different issue, but this was definitely related, and our new daycare center is a million times better. I had no idea what I was missing!</p> <p>Our current daycare covers the same exact ages and is similarly priced. It has minimal staff changes, and it only happens between school years because people are moving to teach in the school district or are leaving the field of early childhood education -- it is unheard of for a teacher to leave mid-year. The administration is also infinitely more professional, which I think is a big factor in teacher retention. </p> <p>I thought I was happy at our first place - but my eyes have been opened by our new daycare. Lack of professionalism and high turnover may be common, but they are NOT inevitable. It is worth looking around...you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/daycare-turnover#post-2838540 Wed, 08 Aug 2018 08:50:17 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2838540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so looking for someone to tell me what is normal. DS is 2.5 and been in daycare for about 2 years, we were very selective with the program we chose and selected it for the philosophy and lower ratios. In the 2 years he has been there, only one teacher remains that he had. All have left, he did have the same lead teacher for the last year (she just left). He is doing extremely well, we are thrilled with his development and overall learning.</p> <p>This most recent departure included both of his teachers. The supporting teacher either no showed after giving her notice (per the daycare) or would not lie to parents as the daycare asked her to and thus did not return (per the head teacher during her final week). </p> <p>Now the turnover seems high to me and we have always wondered a little bit about the administration. Some teachers have just disappeared. There are several layers of administration and they seem to be more checked out as of late. The communication around these departures was poor and the solution not communicated until there were already subs in the room. I picked up yesterday and there was a sub alone with 10 kids which is above their lower ratios, but not the state mandated.</p> <p>DS is moving up to a new classroom in a few weeks, they could not tell me about his new teachers yet as they allow teachers to move around if they so desire. Now I work in a corporate environment and would expect these things to be sorted out by now.</p> <p>I am in maternity leave so we are starting to explore other options just in case we are not happy with the transition, especially since we will put DD in once she is a year old. Is that an overreaction? Is the turnover unusual? I take issue with the administration asking someone to lie about why they were leaving, but I know the truth is somewhere in the middle most likely. Ultimately DS is doing well at this time and that maybe should be all that matters? I guess the real question is do I disregard my questions on how things are run since he is thriving? He only attends 3 days a week and so far this week other than an accident after nap, he continues to be happy.</p> <p>Sorry for the ramble! </p>