Sibling Sets Or Onlies?

[MNMum]

Do you prefer to have sibling sets, or that only one child from a family is in your care at a time? Some benefits to siblings I can think of - fewer parents and drop-offs/pick-ups. But when it comes time for them to move on, you have 2 spots needing to be filled.

[daycare]

Do you prefer to have sibling sets, or that only one child from a family is in your care at a time? Some benefits to siblings I can think of - fewer parents and drop-offs/pick-ups. But when it comes time for them to move on, you have 2 spots needing to be filled.

I dont really have a preference, but I can say that sibs are much harder than only children.

sibling rivalry and competition is always there....which makes my job harder.
the money issue is always a con too, but won't keep me from taking them on.

[MarinaVanessa]

I don't necessarily have a preference but I don't give breaks to clients with siblings ... as in I don't offer them a discount. I'll take the siblings but they have to pay my full rate just like a client with only one child. Each child has their own individual contract with their rates etc.

I think because of that it turns many families away if they have more than one child but I'm okay with that. At least when a family leaves because they move etc. only one child leaves at a time.

[Blackcat31]

Like MV, I charge a regular rate for all children and don't give a sibling discount.

IME, I think "onlies" are harder than sib sets because "onlies" sometimes think the world revolves around them....which I guess as an only child..it sorta does.

To be fair, I have had great sibling sets and wonderful only children too so.....

[daycarediva]

I don't necessarily have a preference but I don't give breaks to clients with siblings ... as in I don't offer them a discount. I'll take the siblings but they have to pay my full rate just like a client with only one child. Each child has their own individual contract with their rates etc.

I think because of that it turns many families away if they have more than one child but I'm okay with that. At least when a family leaves because they move etc. only one child leaves at a time.

I also do separate contracts and don't give discounts.

I rarely get sibs (probably for those reasons ^ + I rarely have two openings), and I prefer onlies/those with sibs not in my care. Rivalry, losing two kids vs one, one child is a dream and the other is not, etc.

[AmyKidsCo]

I don't have a preference but I recently started offering a sibling discount. It's very hard to get over-twos in this area so I felt I needed to offer the extra perk. And I think it's going to become even harder now that my local school district started offering 4K and has most of the 4K sites in group centers instead of schools.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I definitely PREFER to have 1 child from the family in my care as opposed to 2 at once.

[NeedaVaca]

I prefer 1 child. I have found my siblings are more work, they fight with each other etc. I also hate to lose 2 kids at once. If I had interviews to fill 2 spots and had the choice over 2 separate families and a sibling set I would definitely choose the separate families.

[cheerfuldom]

I prefer parents that have more than one kid just because they are usually about a million times more chill than parents of an only. but the best scenario is to have just one kid in care, that has older siblings in school or wherever.....one kid in your daycare but the parents are more experienced and usually more reasonable

[crazydaycarelady]

I don't give a sibling discount either. Usually I don't lose two kids at once. The older one starts school leaving the younger one still here.

[Play Care]

I don't give a sibling discount either. Usually I don't lose two kids at once. The older one starts school leaving the younger one still here.

This has been my experience. I also don't really have a discount for siblings so I get full price for all my spots.

[butterfly]

I don't really have a preference on sibling groups or onlies. However, I would prefer a child who has older siblings if I can be very specific about things.

The kids who have older siblings, tend to have more laid back parents and the kids are less needy because they haven't been catered to like an only child. I have a couple only children who I 'almost' dread them coming, because they are so spoiled at home. They, fortunately, have learned that the whining and tantrums get them nothing here. It's just a headache at drop off and pick up when the parents give into their child's every request/demand.

[frugalmama4]

I hate sibling's....hate hate hate.

Let me explain-

These kids spend ALL of their time together...they sleep, eat, bathe, play together all day every day....I personal think kids (just like adults) need time apart. You will either have the kids that fight each other all day long...or the one who thinks their the Parent of the younger kid...and will try to tell you how to run the show.

Not to mention...parents will expect a discount
You will have to TWO spots to fill when they leave

Did I mention I hate siblings!

Sorry for the short vent....