Daycare job is physically draining me

I’ve worked at the same daycare for about 5 years now. I really do love the kids, but lately I feel like the job is completely draining me.

I work 5 days a week and I’m constantly moving between rooms. Three days a week I’m in three different rooms in one day, the nursery, the one year old room, and the 2s. The other two days I’m in two rooms. So it’s basically nonstop all day. Lifting babies, chasing toddlers, cleaning, helping different teachers, and just constantly being on my feet.

And honestly that’s just the short version. I do a lot more than that, I just don’t even have time to list everything.

By the time I get home I’m exhausted. Some days I don’t even want to talk to anyone. I love my husband and my pets, but when I get home I just want to shut myself in my room for a while because I feel like I have nothing left in me.

Oh ya and 5years I’m only making $11 an hour.

I’ve been thinking about asking if I could work 8:00–2:30 instead of a full shift. I feel like I’d still be there during the busiest part of the day and still helping a lot, but maybe I wouldn’t feel so completely worn down.

I’m just nervous to ask because I don’t want them to think I don’t want to work. I’ve been there 5 years and I’ve always tried to help wherever they needed me.

Has anyone else in childcare gotten to this point? Or asked to shorten their hours? How did it go?