I too really struggle with this.... some items that help me:
- All dcks bring their own lunch so no lunch dishes to clean other than spoons/cups.
- AM Snack is homemade and cooked but cleaned up during the day or during nap time PM Snack is quick and premade in batches required no clean up other than the mess at the table.
- I aim to teach the dcks to clean up after they are done in an area but we clean the entire space as a group before outside time and before goodbye time
- Lastly I dismiss from outside during ia reading (not playtime) this benefits in three ways 1) dcks know this cue and parents know their child will notice if they are last so they feel pressure to show up on time 2) if the space is clean the dcks don't mess it up again while waiting on the dcps and 3) so if it is a complete mess inside at the end of day parents do not see.
I have my place professionally cleaned one a month but am hoping to increase that to 2X a month and eventually weekly.
Adding that I also tidy up the night before..... right before I go to bed since my dd is not Miss Neat which I am working on...