Quick Poll--Who is at Capacity?

[Momma In MT]

FYI I am in a city of 150,000 and there are 3 other daycares within one block.

Yes there are laws were I live, but I choose not be license. Here I can only have 3 kids (this includes my own). I have 3 kids of my own so technically I can't have any kids. I do run my daycare as a business, ie. pay taxes etc. I also tell the parents right up front that I am not licensed and it is the first line on the paperwork, in bold and italics, I give parents. I am very open about it so the parents are aware and have the right to choose whether they come to me or a licensed facility. I do not have a helper over the summer. I was a kindergarten classroom teacher for 10 years before choosing to stay home. There my numbers were 27-31 students with no aide. So to have 10 at the most at any one time is a piece of cake. As long as you keep them busy and have actives planned and follow a tight schedule things usually run smooth. During the school year I do a formal preschool. I have a helper that comes in for 2 hrs a day to watch the babies so that I can focus on the preschool.

[Anna]

Yes there are laws were I live, but I choose not be license. Here I can only have 3 kids (this includes my own). I have 3 kids of my own so technically I can't have any kids.

That's what I was refering to when I quoted you on saying "I am not licensed and so I have no limit legally". Legally there is a limit, you are just choosing not to follow the law.

I am happy that word of mouth works for you but I don't think it has anything to do with getting along with children. Saying that how many children want to come to your daycare "depends on how you get along with the kids" is not correct. That's like saying that us providers who are not at capacity and wish to be, are not full because we don't get along with kids.. which I think is untrue. I think there are other factors like where you live, how long you have been open, etc. The OP will have to advertise. She is not going to all of a sudden be full without advertising. I would think when you first opened that you had to advertise as well.

[Tin Blues]

I recently opened my registered home daycare here in Montana. Started advertising in early March. Got my first kid in mid-April. I'm at capacity now with 6 kids.

twin 13 month old girls
2 and half year old boy
3 yr. old boy
5 and a half year old girl
5 and a half year old boy

The 5 year olds will be starting kindergarten in August, so will be in the position of having two spots to fill.

It took longer than I expected to get children. But I believe it was because I refused to accept part-time children. The kids I have now are all contracted for M-F, 45 hours a week.

To the op, word of mouth makes a tremendous difference with how quickly you fill up with kids. Tell everybody you know about your daycare. Good luck

[professionalmom]

That's what I was refering to when I quoted you on saying "I am not licensed and so I have no limit legally". Legally there is a limit, you are just choosing not to follow the law.

I am happy that word of mouth works for you but I don't think it has anything to do with getting along with children. Saying that how many children want to come to your daycare "depends on how you get along with the kids" is not correct. That's like saying that us providers who are not at capacity and wish to be, are not full because we don't get along with kids.. which I think is untrue. I think there are other factors like where you live, how long you have been open, etc. The OP will have to advertise. She is not going to all of a sudden be full without advertising. I would think when you first opened that you had to advertise as well.

Actually I took the phrase "depends on how you get along with the kids" to mean the specific children. Everyone has personality traits and some just don't blend very well. Or the child isn't a good fit for the group. Although the way it was worded could leave it open for interruption and it could have been worded differently, this is what I thought she meant.

I have definitely had children that I could not continue with because of their specific personalities, disabilities, temperaments, etc. And the sad thing is that as soon as you advertise as a new daycare, the parents of "problem" children (doing the daycare hop) will pounce on you like fresh meat. Then you think you're at capacity, only to have to drop some. I'm a former victim quickly learning how to be tougher and growing a business backbone!

[Unregistered]

When I had my licenses in Maryland I could have 8 children and if any of my kids where under the age of 5 they counted I was licensed for 5 years and I know the first year I had 6 dck's, 2nd year I had 6 dck's, 3rd year I had 7 dck's, and the 4th year I had 6 dck's again, and my 5th year I had 2 dck;s because I was having a baby and I got rid of 2, 2 where siblings and moved and the other 2 siblings stayed. I now live in NC and do not have a licenses and can watch 2 kids without a license and I have 2.

[Vesta]

I have definitely had children that I could not continue with because of their specific personalities, disabilities, temperaments, etc. And the sad thing is that as soon as you advertise as a new daycare, the parents of "problem" children (doing the daycare hop) will pounce on you like fresh meat. Then you think you're at capacity, only to have to drop some. I'm a former victim quickly learning how to be tougher and growing a business backbone!

There should be some sort of class, other than the school of hard knocks, about how to help new providers with this mess.
***********Daycare hoppers 101************
Little Bobby is 3 and has been in 4 different daycares... learn the possible reasons why.
Donna is a single mom just starting a new job... learn how to find out how much money she owes the 5 other providers she's used this line on.
Learn why you're not a bad provider because you are not able to handle a "problem child" and successfully meet the needs of other children in your care.
Learn why trial periods in you contract are golden.


Anyway
I'm at capacity, as I always am during the summer. I have 10 plus my own enrolled. I can only have up to 8 on any given day (I don't keep children younger than 2).
By not taking babies, I kind of shoot myself in the foot. All except 2 of my younger kids will be starting Kindergarten this fall.
I have 2 more lined up to start mid-August.
I will keep advertising until I take in 1 more child, because I'm not comfortable having more than 5 during the day (Summertime being the exception, because I dial back the daily schedule).

[originalkat]

I am a registered home so that means I can have 6 kids including my own. I am at capacity with 4 full-time plus my 2 children. I have 1 person on a waiting list.

[Lianne]

I'm at capacity but it took 3 1/2 years to get here. I have six kids registered and 4-5 here each day.

[judytrickett]

I'm at capacity. I'm always at capacity. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at capacity.

[emosks]

We were at capacity pretty much right away. We are licensed for 12. We have a few part time spots open only for the summer and early fall but in December when we get 2 infants of current families we'll be full!!

[sahm2three]

Well, I am when I have my occasional drop-ins. I have 8 plus my own kids. I don't have to count my two older kids, but do have to count my youngest. So I have three drop-ins that come from time to time, so I am leaving a spot for them. 8 is more than I want most days! LOL!

[momma2girls]

I have 3 fulltime during the school year, but only one parttime in the summer.

[Daycare Mommy]

I'm working below capacity (4 out of 5) right now but trying to fill the slot.

When I was licensed and was allowed 8 I quickly realized that 5 is my personal limit without hiring an assistant, so I only kept 5 even though I could have made much more. Wasn't worth it to me. It was a zoo!

[Liliya]

I'm working below capacity (4 out of 5) right now but trying to fill the slot.

When I was licensed and was allowed 8 I quickly realized that 5 is my personal limit without hiring an assistant, so I only kept 5 even though I could have made much more. Wasn't worth it to me. It was a zoo!

5 is my favorite number too,but I am licensed for 7,I just found out that in my state (TN) I can have 7 to myself including my own,but if I have a helper I can have 7 unrelated plus 5 related, I think it is not right,because kids are kids,related to you or not,they need a same care,right?
I am doing childcare for more then 3 years now and I am full for past 2 years.

[mismatchedsocks]

I am licensed and am allowed 8 kids plus my own 7 and 11 year old. I am at capacity and hope I will be for while. I have two moms who are preggo and two drop ins that would love to be fulltimers if I had the room.

Good luck!