Pat Tomlinson, Coram PACEY Advisor

Working in childcare is an emotionally and physically demanding job and feeling a loss of motivation is more common than you’d think. Coram PACEY Advisor, Pat Tomlinson outlines some strategies to help you rekindle your motivation and prevent burnout.

In any job, there are ups and downs, with periods of time where we just don’t feel very motivated. Having said that, working alone can sometimes make you feel disillusioned, wondering why we are doing this job. These are very real feelings and there have been several times during my own childminding career that I have felt like this.

Reflecting on your “why”

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution but it’s well worth taking a step back and looking at why you came into your career in childcare. What drew you to the job – was it the joy of helping children develop and grow, the creativity you use in your job, the impact you make on families? Writing down the list of reasons or highlighting the positive and negative aspects of your job can be helpful. It’s very likely that the pros will still outweigh the cons!

What else can I do?

Think about what may make you unmotivated. Are you having the Sunday afternoon blues when thinking about facing Monday morning? Making small changes to your setting and routine can keep things fresh.

Room layout: Just changing the furniture around, if you can, may make a difference. The boxes of resources – can some be put away and some boxes rotated? With less choice, children may rediscover toys and resources they haven’t seen for a while. This may bring new excitement to you and the children.

Setting small goals: Setting small, achievable goals can help you to celebrate those small wins. Trying a new activity, changing up your routine, or visiting a new place with the children might help. Acknowledging the small wins and the progress the children in your setting make can also help remind you why your work matters.

Socialising: If it’s adult company you crave, try finding another childminder you can buddy up with. Sharing experiences and challenges can help you overcome those feelings of isolation. Arrange to meet and do activities together – it can be much more fun doing things as a group and it gives the children a chance to connect too. If you can’t meet up in person, there are plenty of opportunities to network online or in local groups.

Work-life balance

If your lack of motivation comes from feeling that all you seem to do is work, then take a look at your working week and your finances. Feeling in control of your work-life balance is instrumental in protecting your mental health and staying motivated. Setting boundaries is important – make sure your workload is manageable. For example, could you afford to just work fewer days per week, or limit your daily working hours to give yourself more time before and after work? Prioritising self-care – even just a few minutes of quiet reflection during the day or enjoying a hobby on your days off – can make a difference.

How can Coram PACEY help?

Refreshing your training can be a good way to motivate yourself, giving you ideas and inspiration to reignite your passion and make your work feel meaningful. By keeping note of your development, ideals, and achievements you can look back on the progress you’re making and the difference you make for children.

Coram PACEY’s CEY smart courses cover a range of topics and are accessible in a bite-sized online format that you can dip in and out of when you get time:

• Let’s get creative: all about art, music, drama, craft and dance!
• The big wide world: connecting with nature, understanding the world around us and sparking curiosity.
• You, me and us: all about feelings, emptions, behaviour and connection.
• Plus much more can be found in CEY smart!

If you still need support, your Coram PACEY membership comes with access to a range of help:

• Our Coram PACEY Advisors are available out-of-hours to talk through issues you’re experiencing.
• Through your membership you can access legal advice and counselling assistance.
• Visit our Mental Health page for more resources and advice on protecting your mental wellbeing.

Despite the challenges, the work you do is incredibly important and transformative for children and families. Coram PACEY is here to celebrate the amazing work you do and to call on the government for the support you deserve, so you can focus on what matters most – nurturing and inspiring the children in your care.