Does Anyone Have A Nice Way Of Saying They Only Take Certain Ages ?

[blandino]

We don't take children over the age of 4. I obviously have the language skills to tell people that - But, I was wondering if anyone had a good way of phrasing that they only take certain ages.

In the past month I have had two mothers ask me for care for their 5 & 7 year old. One was trickier because they had an 18 month old sibling - so I was saying "yes" to the 18 month old, but no to the 5 year old.

I just like to have an easy standard phrase to tell people. I have been saying "unfortunately we only take children up to age 4". It just feels really awkward to me, I don't feel guilty - just awkward.

[EchoMom]

My ages are on my website, so I rarely even get asked for care for children too old.

I just say that I only care for ages 3 months - 3 years. We do this for the sake of safety and to foster a peer community for the little ones.

[blandino]

One was a referral, and the other was a former client looking for summer care. Which was uncomfortable to tell her that her child couldn't come back.

I do post my ages on our site, but people seriously don't seem to read things. It is becoming a major pet peeve of mine.

[Evansmom]

On my websites and contract etcetera I just state that "I offer care for children ages 2-7" (that's who I work with). If I'm in person I reiterate that and if questioned I simply say that I'm not set up to work with younger/older children.

Which this is totally true. I don't have equipment for babies and I don't have toys or activities for older children

[Scout]

i say infant-kindy care in my ads!

[daycarediva]

"I would be happy to speak with you further about caring for your toddler, however I do not care for school aged children at this time."

I actually SAID this, got the preschooler and the SA kid goes to a different program.

[snbauser]

I think that as long as it is said politely, there is no wrong way to say it. I typcially only care for children ages 2 1/2 - 5 (and not yet in kindy). I don't like caring for school-aged kids and don't like the mixture of babies and preschoolers as I find it difficult to have enough space and materials for all 3 age groups to keep them from being bored or from annoying each other.

[laundrymom]

I specialize in birth to school age and have tailored my program to fit the needs of those ages.

[Puff]

"I would be happy to speak with you further about caring for your toddler, however I do not care for school aged children at this time."

I actually SAID this, got the preschooler and the SA kid goes to a different program.

That is how I would say it.