How to Remove Yourself From the Day-to-Day Operations of Your Childcare Business

Running a childcare business can feel like a never-ending cycle of putting out fires. One day you’re the cook, the next you’re a substitute teacher, and before you know it—you’re handling billing, answering phones, and juggling paperwork.

But here’s the truth: if you want to grow beyond the daily grind and step into the role of CEO, you must make a shift in how you think and how you operate.

I’ve worked with many childcare owners, and the ones who successfully removed themselves from daily operations had five things in common. Let’s dive into them.

1. Think From a Bigger Vision

The first step is to change your mindset. Many owners believe that by stepping into day-to-day roles (like cooking or filling in as a teacher), they’re saving money. But in reality, you’re holding your business back.

Instead, start asking yourself:

What would my center look like if I had 1,000 students?
How would I lead if I had 200 employees?

When you think from a bigger vision, you make different decisions. You stop settling for “good enough” and start building the systems that allow your center to run without you being in every role.

2. Get Coaching and Accountability

Here’s the honest truth: most owners don’t build a franchise-level system on their own. They piece together bits of Google research, advice from peers, or AI-generated templates. But those pieces rarely work together.

That’s why many owners choose to work with me. As their coach, I walk alongside them for up to three years, helping them implement a full all-in-one system—designed to give their centers consistency, standards, and clarity.

If you’re serious about removing yourself from the day-to-day, you need someone who has already built the roadmap and can help you stay accountable.

3. Build an All-in-One System

A system is more than a checklist. It’s the backbone of your childcare business.

An all-in-one system means:

Every role is defined and supported.
Processes are standardized across the board.
Accountability is built in.

From classrooms to kitchens, transportation to curriculum, each part of your center should operate in a way that connects back to your larger goals. This is what allows your directors to lead effectively, your teachers to excel, and your business to run like a well-oiled machine.

4. Streamline Operations and Collect Data

Once you’ve created your systems, the next step is streamlining.

Streamlining ensures every role and process leads to a measurable outcome. For example:

Classrooms should be designed with a clear intention and end goal for students.
Teachers should have processes, checklists, and training that guide them toward that goal.
Leaders should have SOPs (standard operating procedures) to maintain accountability.

The most powerful piece? Data.
As a CEO, data becomes your best friend. It tells you:

Where your staff is excelling.
Where you need to invest in more training.
Where hiring gaps exist.

Without data, you’re guessing. With data, you’re leading.

5. Bring On Support—Especially a Virtual Assistant

Finally, don’t try to do it alone. To truly remove yourself from day-to-day tasks, you’ll need a reliable point of support.

Hiring a Virtual Assistant (VA) can be a game-changer. A VA can:

Collect your daily reports.
Track KPIs from your team.
Ensure that systems are followed.
Free you from being the bottleneck.

This role ensures that the information you need as CEO gets to you, without you having to chase it down.

Final Thoughts

Exiting the day-to-day is not about walking away—it’s about building a business that runs on systems, not on your presence.

Here’s a quick recap:

Think bigger than the daily grind.
Get coaching and accountability.
Build an all-in-one system.
Streamline operations and track data.
Hire support to manage reports and processes.

When you commit to these five steps, you create the freedom to focus on growth, expansion, and the vision that inspired you to start your childcare business in the first place.

Ready to take the next step? Join me for the Learn New Systems Webinar, where I’ll show you exactly how to put the right systems in place for lasting freedom. Register at www.learnnewsystems.com.

And if you’re ready for hands-on coaching and a proven system tailored to your childcare business, book a one-on-one call with me today at www.iownadaycare.com.

Remember, when you manage the childcare business that you love, you’ll love the childcare business that you manage.