If you’re a childcare provider, you already know the holidays are equal parts magic and mayhem. Between the glitter explosions, the sugar highs, the themed activities, and the last-minute parent requests (“Oh, and can you snap a quick picture of Bella in her outfit today?”), December can feel like running a marathon in elf shoes.
And while the season is fun and festive, let’s be honest: it can also be a fast track to childcare provider burnout.
But here’s the good news—burnout doesn’t have to be your holiday tradition. With a little planning, some firm boundaries, and a few sanity-saving strategies, you can get through the holiday season feeling calm, capable, and maybe even a little jolly.
Let’s dive in.
8 Ways to Avoid Childcare Provider Burnout During The Holidays
1. Stop Trying to Do All the Holiday Things
Childcare providers are doers by nature. And the holidays? They bring out our inner Pinterest Pro.
But the truth is:
You do NOT have to pack every day with elaborate holiday crafts, games, and activities.
Repeat that out loud if needed.
Simple wins every time—especially in December.
Try:
- One or two themed crafts per week
- A simple “holiday book of the day”
- One big special activity (like pajama day or hot cocoa day)
Kids are happy with consistency, not complexity. And parents? They appreciate anything that keeps their kids smiling and busy. No one’s handing out gold medals for Most Festive Childcare Program. (If they were, you’d win, no doubt—but still!)
2. Set Clear Expectations With Parents—Early
One of the biggest causes of holiday burnout in childcare is unspoken expectations.
If you don’t set boundaries early, December becomes a parade of:
- “Can you stay open later this week…?”
- “Do you mind adding just one more holiday activity?”
- “Could you pretty please do a little gift exchange?”
To avoid that:
Send a simple, friendly Holiday Schedule + Expectations notice at the start of the month. Include:
- Closure dates
- Early pickup reminders
- Special activity days (keep these minimal!)
- What you are doing—and what you are NOT doing
You’re not being rigid—you’re being proactive. And that’s how you keep holiday chaos from sneaking in the back door.
3. Build in “Quiet Activities” (for the Kids and You)
Every provider needs a few go-to activities that require minimal supervision and maximum calm. Think:
- Sensory bins
- Simple coloring sheets
- Playdough trays
- Stickers + construction paper
- Holiday-themed puzzles
These aren’t “filler activities”—they’re sanity savers.
Use them intentionally when the day starts to feel overstimulating.
Bonus: they give kids a break from the constant holiday stimulation, too.
4. Simplify Your Environment
You don’t need to transform your childcare into the North Pole.
Holiday clutter = visual stress.
Choose:
- A few intentional decorations
- One cozy corner
- One themed bulletin board
That’s it.
A calmer environment equals a calmer provider, calmer kids, and calmer parents. Minimalism is your friend in December.
5. Give Yourself Permission to Rest
I know, I know—providers don’t rest. We “rest” by washing dishes, doing laundry, and prepping activities for the next day.
But here’s the truth:
If you don’t carve out real rest during the holiday season, burnout will do it for you. And burnout’s version of “rest” looks like being sick, exhausted, and over it.
So schedule your downtime like you schedule your activities:
- Block off a few evenings
- Put your phone on Do Not Disturb
- Say no to events you don’t actually want to attend
- Take a weekend morning just for you
Self-care doesn’t have to be bubble baths (unless you like those!). Sometimes it’s simply choosing quiet over chaos.
🎁 Your Free Gift: Holiday Burnout Prevention Checklist
Because I know firsthand how easy it is to slip into holiday overwhelm, I created a simple, printable checklist to help you keep things light, manageable, and totally burnout-free this season.
You can grab it here:
👉 Download the FREE Holiday Burnout Prevention Checklist
Click here to download instantly
Print it.
Stick it on your clipboard.
Tape it inside a cabinet.
Use it to remind yourself that you don’t have to do everything to create a wonderful experience for your kids.
6. Keep Meals and Snacks EASY
It’s tempting to make everything festive, but trust me—holiday-themed snacks are optional.
Your energy is more valuable than Pinterest-worthy food. So stick to:
- Simple fruit
- Crackers & cheese
- Veggies + dip
- Easy lunches you can prep in minutes
If you want to throw in one holiday treat day, go for it. But don’t make it a whole production. Providers tend to cook love into everything, even when we’re exhausted. But December is the month to take the easy wins.
Related Reading:
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7. Don’t Forget About Your Holiday Joy
One of the easiest ways to avoid burnout is to build in some joy—for you.
Ask yourself:
- What holiday thing actually makes me happy?
- Which activities fill my cup instead of draining it?
Maybe it’s:
- Holiday music
- Reading a favorite seasonal book
- A cozy sweater day
- A small gift exchange with the kids
- Your favorite coffee drink
Whatever brings you joy—do that.
Not the thing Instagram says you should do, but the thing that makes you smile.
Because a joyful provider = a joyful program.
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8. Remember: The Kids Don’t Need Perfect—They Need You
This is the golden rule of avoiding holiday burnout.
Kids remember:
- Your energy
- Your presence
- Your calm
- Your smile
They don’t remember the craft that took 45 minutes to prep and 12 seconds to complete.
What they truly need is a provider who is steady, warm, and emotionally available—not one who’s secretly counting down the minutes until winter break.
So give yourself grace.
Do less.
Simplify more.
Protect your peace like it’s part of your curriculum.
Because it is.
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Final Thoughts On Holiday Childcare Provider Burnout
The holiday season can be wonderful, but it can also be exhausting—especially for childcare providers who give so much of themselves every single day.
By simplifying your activities, setting boundaries, planning rest, and keeping the focus on what’s truly important, you can get through December feeling steady, supported, and proud of the environment you’re creating for your kids.
And you deserve that.
Not just during the holidays—but all year long.
