Out Door Time

[KEG123]

And so, since I only take 1 under 1, if I was you I'd be letting go some of the littles.

And I just noticed you're in IL too. Where abouts? And seeing as how we have the same state licensing regulations, it's clear you're over capacity.

[brookeroo]

And so, since I only take 1 under 1, if I was you I'd be letting go some of the littles.

And I just noticed you're in IL too. Where abouts? And seeing as how we have the same state licensing regulations, it's clear you're over capacity.

I am in Indiana. I'm not sure how my state got set to Illinois. I have not been able to find anything on any government website regarding ages for Indiana. I have only been able to find the number of children I am allowed to take. Like I said, the two extra's I have are drop in's. It is only for a few days and my son is usually at a different daycare because they will not hold a spot for him in their school unless he attends. So traditionally he is not usually here.

I only have 5 here that are not my own on a regular basis and one of those 5 is my nephew. If I feel like I need a less certain days I send my daughter to my grandmother's house next door.

[Jessie]

I've got all littles too, and outside time is a challenge, but I make sure it happens every day, it's so important for the toddlers to have time to run around.

Basically, having a set routine is really important. Every morning, the ones who still take a morning nap sleep from 8:30 to 10, then snack, then we all go outside until around 11:40, so I can have time to prep lunch. It's tricky since 2 are not walking, so right now, to get us all out there, I've got one on my back, one in the stroller, and my 17 month old daughter and the boy who just turned two walk to our play area. Nobody is old enough to say they want to go in yet, but even if they did, it wouldn't matter - we're out there until it's time to go in. The afternoon is less important to me - if we make it outside, especially after the early pick-ups go home, great, if not, just free play in the playroom.

As far as baby sleeping - if they fall asleep outside, great. They can either nap in the carrier on me, or doze on the blanket under the umbrella. I also have a little pop-up screen tent if it's too buggy or I want to keep the toddlers from poking them while they sleep. With the littlest (3 months), if I get the sense that she's going to doze off before we all get out the door, I let her drop off in her car seat, then I put the car seat on the stroller as we're leaving so she can stay asleep - but I haven't had to do that in several weeks (I would never let her do that if we weren't going outside).

It does sound like you have a LOT of littles though. In my state, I'm only allowed to have 3 under 2, and one of them has to be at least 15 months and walking. It might be worth a check - you may find that you are out of compliance, which would make you feel like you aren't crazy for being so wiped out!

[DCBlessings27]

I called licensing in Indiana because I was confused about the information on their website and since OP said she couldn't find any information on ages. As far as I can tell, Brookero is within legal limits. The lady on the phone said that I could (hypothetically) watch 5 infants (in Indiana legally exempt means that you can watch less than 6 unrelated kids), have 2 infants of my own and watch 3 infants of my cousin's and still be in compliance. *I called them because I'm interested in how other states do child care licensing. We can't even watch children in KS without being licensed, and our own children count against us until age 12.

When I had infants in care, I only had my daughter and took her outside and held her. I did take on an older infant (8months) while dd was young. I would place the older infant in an exersaucer outside while the kids played. I've heard of providers taking pack n plays outside too for infants to be in while the older children are playing. Or, they have an outside gate thing and lay infants on a blanket while the older children play.

Another provider said that she lets the infant sleep in a carrier, but I couldn't do that here due to Safe Sleep policies.

[Country Kids]

We can only have 2 under the ages of 24 months!!! Our own count with us through the age of 13. I'm checking on this because I don't understand if that means until they turn 13 or through the entire age until they turn 14.

[Blackcat31]

I am in Indiana. I'm not sure how my state got set to Illinois. I have not been able to find anything on any government website regarding ages for Indiana. I have only been able to find the number of children I am allowed to take. Like I said, the two extra's I have are drop in's. It is only for a few days and my son is usually at a different daycare because they will not hold a spot for him in their school unless he attends. So traditionally he is not usually here.

I only have 5 here that are not my own on a regular basis and one of those 5 is my nephew. If I feel like I need a less certain days I send my daughter to my grandmother's house next door.

Age Range Ratio For Family Child Care in Indiana State
Birth to 24 months (1:6) two of the 6 children must be at least 16 months and walking. Otherwise the ratio is 1:4

Birth to 6 years (1:10) No more than 3 of the 10 children may be under sixteen months of age and must be walking

3-10 years (1:12)
All ages (1:12) the maximum capacity in a child care home is 1:12 plus 3 children during the school year who are enrolled at least in Grade 1

I also found this: http://www.in.gov/fssa/files/purduevalidityfinal.pdf

Where it says: Family child care providers who operate small homes may care for 6 to 11 children, plus 3 school-aged children. The maximum number of infants/toddlers to one provider is six children under the age of 2, with 2 or more 16 month olds and walking.

In large family child care homes, providers may care for 13-16 children. The maximum number of children per one provider in large family homes is 4:1 for infants; 6:1 for birth–2-years, with 2 or more 16-month old and walking; 10:1 for birth–6-year olds, with no more than 3 under 16-months; and 12:1 for 3 year olds and older.

So if I am interpreting it all correctly, you are within your ratios since a couple of the kids are related to you. I am not 100% sure though as the rules/regulations for each state are always written in such a round about way.

Back on topic though, I really do think the parents need to be the ones in charge of their child's outside time when you have so many littles. I don't think I would feel comfortable taking that many little ones outside and still keep them safe.

NOT saying anything against you, just that we already care for, love and nurture the kids we have in care, we can't always be the ones to pack everything in to one day.

Parents can surely spend some outside time with their children on off days and after work. Besides, infants don't really need that much outside play....just fresh air which parents can help them get by taking walks and such after work. HTH