Only Accepting A Certain # Of Children Each Age

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have sat down and realized I need to only have around 3-4 children of a particular age.
Any more than that will place a financial burden on my family as they age out to go to Kindergarten (as 4 leave, there goes $2320). My ratio will also be slightly altered due to my own infant entering the world THIS Fall.

How would you word advertising the opening in your program if it is only for a specific age? I have 1 spot available for a 2-year-old and 1 spot available for a 4-year-old. Or, I could have 2 spots available for 2-year-olds and 0 spots available for a 4-year-old.
I think I am overthinking this. ::

[Blackcat31]

Yes, I think you are over thinking this

Plus any kid could leave at anytime and that would upset the balance you have going on....

And all kids who are 4 don't all go to kindergarten at the same time.

I have two 4 year olds right now and only one of them is going to Kindy in the fall as one of them will miss the age cut off for school and will have to wait til the next year.

I also have a 5 yr old who was kindergarten age but the parents opted to hold the child back for one more year.

I think if you end up with a pool of interested families, then you can definitely be pickier about the ages of kids you take on but if there is only a few people looking/calling, I would take whatever age comes your way if they are a good fit.

Especially if money is ever going to be an issue.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Yes, I think you are over thinking this

Plus any kid could leave at anytime and that would upset the balance you have going on....

And all kids who are 4 don't all go to kindergarten at the same time.

I have two 4 year olds right now and only one of them is going to Kindy in the fall as one of them will miss the age cut off for school and will have to wait til the next year.

I also have a 5 yr old who was kindergarten age but the parents opted to hold the child back for one more year.

I think if you end up with a pool of interested families, then you can definitely be pickier about the ages of kids you take on but if there is only a few people looking/calling, I would take whatever age comes your way if they are a good fit.

Especially if money is ever going to be an issue.

All of my 4's (one will be 5 by then) will go to Kinder next year. I was just basing it off of their date of birth.

You are so right about the balance changing, as it has drastically in the past year! I just don't want to "shoot myself in the foot" and have more than half of my clients leave at once for Kinder leaving me in a rough place financially.

I like how I think this job is so stable that I can guarantee that X amount of children will be leaving all at once ... ::

I've never accepted a certain amount of children that are a certain age before. But, I've also never been the sole provider before so I think that causes me some extra anxiety. I ENJOY being financially stable and I'm just now beginning to reach that point after the craziness that occurred this winter.

I do have 3 people interested in 1 spot this Fall that would all leave next year. So, I guess I could choose if I want a little girl who would be here from ages 5-6, or between two little boys who would be here from ages 4-5. I may attempt to get one of the little boys. I wouldn't want one child to be the only 5 here if I can help it. I guess I just need to "fill up" (despite my hesitation...) so that won't be an issue. I need 6 children in care to be able to pay my bills AND taxes.

My ratio will go back to normal (allowing me one more child) after the baby is 18 months old.

[daycarediva]

I always hate this too. Right now I have 5 2yos who all have summer birthdays(3 July 2 August!) and will all be starting kindergarten the fall after they turn 5. O U C H!

I don't try to think/plan that far ahead though. Who knows what could happen between now and then? I try to get them AT 2. Better behavior, and I have a better chance at keeping them for the next 3-4 years, but it makes it hard when they will all age out at the same time.

My ds will age out of ratio in June, and I plan to add yet ANOTHER 2yo from my waiting list (will be 2 in June, my current 2's are turning 3 shortly after that)