I try to have everything cleaned up before I close as well. My kids start to leave one at a time around 4, so as they leave we start cleaning up the daycare room. Then once it's cleaned, outside we go so it stays clean! (or to the craft table)

Dishes are my husbands job at night, so as long as I do my share after lunch, he does the rest when he get's home.

I also have a 9 year old daughter that enjoys helping, and she get's a special bump in her allowance for doing that.