Preschool educators encounter significant levels of stress and job turnover. A recent study from the University of Georgia discovered that insufficient planning time might exacerbate the situation.

Planning periods are designated times when educators are away from their pupils and engaged in additional professional tasks. For preschool instructors, these tasks comprise activities such as documenting children’s growth and progress, crafting lesson plans, and communicating with parents.

While educators in elementary, middle, or high schools are guaranteed this time, it is not required for preschool instructors. This could explain why the recent study revealed that only approximately 1 in 10 preschool teachers claimed they had sufficient time to fulfill all their responsibilities.

“Most of them manage their planning and work items during their personal time, which encompasses evenings and weekends,” noted Erin Hamel, the principal author of the study and an assistant professor at UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education. “This is concerning as it interferes with their personal lives and can lead to burnout and turnover.”

Preschool educators indicate they receive 37 minutes less than their allotted planning time each week

The research involved a survey of 106 teachers and 104 directors from early childhood education centers. The investigators inquired about the scheduled planning time for teachers compared to what they actually receive.

On average, teachers report getting 37 minutes less than what they are scheduled for.

“The daily routine of a preschool educator is unpredictable. If the program faces staffing shortages, educators may need to sacrifice their planning time to assist another classroom,” explained Hamel. “If a child falls ill, a teacher might have to stay with the child in a separate area until their parents arrive. This could consume her planning time.”

The shortage of planning time often leaves educators rushing to complete their tasks promptly. This situation forces them to work during their personal time, increasing their stress, the researchers indicated.

Most preschool education center leaders are aware that educators work on weekends

A significant number of directors recognize their teachers are pressed for time, with about half admitting that educators often have to work over the weekend.

So, why don’t directors simply allocate more planning time to educators?

Every state mandates a specific teacher-to-child ratio within classrooms. If there are not enough educators present, it can affect the safety of young children, the quality of care, and expose the center to legal issues.

Caring for educators is an essential component of caring for children.” —Erin Hamel, College of Education

“Directors find themselves in a difficult situation,” stated Hamel. “If a center is understaffed and the director requires three educators in a classroom to comply with ratio regulations, it may necessitate sacrificing educators’ planning time since it is not obligatory.

“Licensing and ratio regulations are crucial as they ensure the safety of children and enhance the quality of care. Given the current circumstances of educator shortages, directors must make challenging staffing choices that might adversely affect teachers because it forces them to forgo their planning or break time. Most educators willingly make this sacrifice for the children, but it takes a toll.”

Just 16 states require planning time for preschool educators

At present, merely 16 states enforce some form of planning time for preschool educators. However, more states are now contemplating doing the same.

“Educators who experience stress typically engage with children less sensitively, so adequate planning time can indirectly influence children’s educational experiences,” remarked Hamel. “Caring for educators is a vital aspect of caring for children.”

This research was published in Early Childhood Research Quarterly and co-authored by Rachel Schachter.

The article Only 10% of preschool educators have sufficient time to complete their work first appeared on UGA Today.