Accepting SA Dilemma

[Lyss]

I normally only accept infants to preschool age but I'm considering taking on a pt time kindergartner. Honestly I'm a little hesitant, mainly because I'm not sure how it will work into my day as currently I have 2 ft infants (one is mine own 9mo old), a ft 2yr old and a pt time 2.5yr old.

I've been getting hounded by someone that I worked with years ago, during my daycare center days who now has 2 children of her own, 2 and 5 and needs care. The 5yr old goes to am kindergarten that gets out at 11:30am and then would need care.

I guess my main problem is the timing and transportation. I don't have room for than many car seats (and I really prefer not to transport DCinfant), plus the idea of packing everyone up and walking down a busy street to the nearest bus stop makes me cringe. Everyone has lunch/bottle at 12:00 and the 2 yr olds are out napping by 12:30/12:45. How do those of you with multiple ages work am kindergarten into your day?

I wouldn't have even considered it in the past but I had a great working relationship with this mom awhile back and really liked her. Also my ft 2 year old will most likely be terminating soon because DCM has told me she hopes to get fired (so DCD who is in Afghanistan will let her stay home) and is actively trying to get fired now, she hasn't worked a full week without calling in for 6 weeks straight among other things. I'm not sure how she's still working now honestly.

I guess as I type this out I'm realizing I may just have to pass on this family because even though I like mom (and the additional income would be nice), it may add too much of a headache/kink to my schedule unless I can figure out a way to make it cohesive

[rhymia1]

I think you know the answer, and I would be polite but firm. It's not like you could easily do it and are choosing not to (and nothing would be wrong with that, by the way!) The fact is, it would not work with your program. Good luck!

[cheerfuldom]

Doesnt sound like a good idea. Plus I dont like the idea of a parent "hounding" you to provide daycare services. I also think that because of the previous relationship, she will probably expect a lot of special treatment.

[Crazy8]

I avoid am kindergarten if i can, only way I will do it is if child still naps. I like pm kindy because we do lunch, put child on bus, then everyone goes down for nap and I have a few hours of quiet. Here the bus drops off at the house for kindergarteners so transportation isn't an issue and the corner of my house is the bus stop for the school anyway.

[itlw8]

You tell her you have room for the 2 year old but the Kindergartner will not work because of meeting the bus.

If she wants to still come she could bring the 2 and make other arrangements for the 5 or both come and every day she uses her lunch hour to pick the child up at school and bring him to you.

[Lyss]

Doesnt sound like a good idea. Plus I dont like the idea of a parent "hounding" you to provide daycare services. I also think that because of the previous relationship, she will probably expect a lot of special treatment.

I didn't think of this for some reason! Your totally right, knowing her personality she would most likely expect some sort of special treatment.

I think I'll stick with my gut and pass on this one! I have to do what works best for my current kids and myself! happyface

[DaisyMamma]

You tell her you have room for the 2 year old but the Kindergartner will not work because of meeting the bus.

If she wants to still come she could bring the 2 and make other arrangements for the 5 or both come and every day she uses her lunch hour to pick the child up at school and bring him to you.

Exactly this. It would be too hard for you to get the kids out to pickup and you shouldn't be expected to do so. I'm lucky that the bus stops in front of my house, otherwise I wouldn't do it.

[cheerfuldom]

I didn't think of this for some reason! Your totally right, knowing her personality she would most likely expect some sort of special treatment.

I think I'll stick with my gut and pass on this one! I have to do what works best for my current kids and myself! happyface

yes I think you are right. and with the other kids being 2 years old, you set up really isnt appropriate for one 5 year old. I would imagine you would be spending a large part of your time trying to keep this 5 year old engaged and busy.

[MarinaVanessa]

I'm the same ... I accept 0-5 only before they hit Kindy. I find that once they hit Kindy they're harder to keep entertained ... as in I have to entertain them (well they expect me to anyway) vs the younger littles that can play and entertain themselves for much of the day. It's more time, more food, more money etc. to take on school-age kids. Also I use my vehicle regularly to take and pick my DD to school and back everyday but didn't offer to pick other kids up because I didn't have any others in pre-school or school.

This year I made an exception and allowed a DCG to stay on that I've had for a while even though she started Kindy this year. I was also asked to pick her up after Kindy ... ok no biggie. My SIL then enrolled my nephew (who is a DCK) into Jump-start monday-fri which is a head-start program at another school (closer to me than DCGs school) and asked of I could pick him up also. Okay no problem, I'll already be on the road. One month into it and I know that even though I'll stick it out this year ... I will not be doing this again.

By the time we load up, head to jump-start, load nephew into van, head to other school to get DCG at Kindie, load her up and head home and unload ... we've spent almost an hour. Most of the littles have fallen asleep and then we eat lunch. After lunch most of the littles don't to lay down to take a nap now because they slept 20-30 minutes in the car already but by 2pm they're grumpy .

So take this into account ... what time will they need to be picked up? Does this interfere with the routine you have already established? How long will everything take total? How long will the others spend in the car and will they fall asleep? Will this interfere with meal or nap times? etc. I didn't think it would be a problem at first but there are days that are horrid (like yesterday) because the kids are acting up because they didn't get a good nap etc. I may not even stick it out the full year and no longer to transportation at all. I was even thinking about looking into an after school program for my DD so I wouldn't have to pick her up and worry about transporting at all.