A new University of Georgia study has found that just 10% of early childhood educators have enough time during the workday to complete their tasks, forcing many to work evenings and weekends. Unlike K-12 teachers, early childhood educators often lack mandated planning time, with many receiving an average of 37 minutes less than scheduled.
“Most of them are doing their planning during personal time,” said lead author Erin Hamel, assistant professor at UGA’s Mary Frances Early College of Education. “That can lead to burnout and high turnover.”
The study highlights the toll this takes on teachers’ well-being and the potential impact on children’s learning. Only 16 states currently require planning time for early educators, though more are considering policy changes.
“When teachers are overworked and stressed, it affects how they interact with children,” Hamel said. “Supporting teachers supports kids.”
