Burnout on the Brink: New Report Exposes Alarming Stress and Overtime Crisis Among Childcare Leaders

While families can't afford care, directors can't afford the time it takes to manage it—trapped under reporting, scheduling, and communication tasks that never let up

ARLINGTON, Va., May 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In an era where affordable childcare is unaffordable for many families, a new nationwide survey from Famly reveals an unsettling reality behind the scenes: early childhood directors and staff are burning out, overworked, and increasingly isolated—with no signs of relief in sight.

Released today, the 2025 report, Exploring the root causes of burnout among ECE leaders and staff, compiles insights from more than 100 early education programs across the U.S., offering a stark look at the hidden costs of running a childcare center.

Read the full report here

Among the key findings:

• 89% of staff work after hours weekly—and more than half stay late three or more days per week.
• Top stressors? Parent communication, attendance tracking, and staff scheduling—all time-consuming tasks that pull attention away from children.
• Nearly 60% said their biggest wish was to never work overtime again—far surpassing other resource requests like more staff or guaranteed enrollment.
• Despite these challenges, 75% stay in the profession out of love for the children.

"The childcare system is facing a hidden crisis," said Anders Laustsen, CEO and co-founder of Famly. "Leaders in early education sacrifice their own mental health and personal time every day, while crucial federal programs face threats that could deepen this crisis."

Famly's findings come amid heightened anxiety in the childcare sector following mass layoffs at Head Start in April. In a landscape where staff shortages, uncertain funding, and declining enrollment collide, the report underscores the urgent need for smarter solutions, not just more appreciation.

It also highlights the emotional toll of the work, with 70% of professionals reporting feelings of loneliness, even when they have family or coworker support.

"Have you ever pulled up a chair at a happy hour or gone out to dinner with friends, ready to talk about your day, only to realize the words coming out of your mouth sound like a foreign language to those around you?" said Summer Picha, a former childcare director turned consultant. "The problems that we deal with daily, things like mini toilets, broken vacuums…may sound petty, easy, weird, and generally unrelatable."

And while families want to be more engaged, directors say the line between helpful and overbearing can easily be crossed without clear structures in place for communication.

Famly urges policymakers, decision-makers, and parents to take these warning signs seriously and support initiatives that fix the fundamental causes of stress for childcare staff.

"Early educators play a critical role in shaping our children's futures, yet their own futures are at risk," Laustsen continued. "We hope to see meaningful changes from lawmakers and community leaders that support childcare professionals in practical, sustainable ways."

See the rest of the survey results in the full report. 

About Famly
Famly is the all-in-one childcare management platform trusted by more than 1 million users worldwide. Designed to help childcare professionals do more of what they love, Famly offers features like automated reporting, invoicing, staff-to-child ratio tracking, and real-time parent communication so that educators can spend more time with children. Learn more at www.famly.co/us.

SOURCE Famly