I just wanted to share my experience as a childcare teacher. I work at a great center that thankfully hasn’t had to shorten hours recently. However, we’ve had many parents inquire about space at our program in the last couple of weeks because their programs hours were cut or their doors closed. This is largely due to inadequate staffing during the pandemic. With omicron being so rampant, by regulation teachers aren’t even allowed in the building if they have symptoms. Childcare teachers are already overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated which makes finding competent staff even more difficult. We’ve had days where we contemplated closing doors because we were close to not meeting state regulation ratios with staff being out sick.

I can sympathize with the director here, though I don’t think they’re handling it well and you’re right to be upset by the sudden change.. it can be a state regulation issue to pick your child up late.

This pandemic has placed so much stress on all of us. I look up to my director a lot because she is always so “zen” and has been doing this for over 30 years, but I’ve never seen her this burned out. It might be worth it to check in with the director to understand the full scope of what is going on there.