How Many and What Ages?

[MotherNature]

I get asked it b/c everyone wants nanny care for cheap. I only care for 2-3 kids at a time, one being my own son, but could have 7, including my son. I've had a parent get irritated when I added a 3rd child! It's a bit ridiculous, but everyone wants low ratios for cheap. I had a phone interview that I ended quickly b/c she liked my price, but wanted a preschool w/ only one other kid at the most...um not going to happen for $120/wk. I have bills to pay too!

[SilverSabre25]

I would imagine so. If you are getting that question during interviews, I would have a paper printed off with the benefits of a small GROUP (not one on one nanny care!) that they can take home and re-read.

That sounds like a good idea; do you have any examples? I mean....six kids is NOT that big, especially compared to a center! But the people I get calls from want to pay under $100/week, or something, anyway, that's less than I charge.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

That sounds like a good idea; do you have any examples? I mean....six kids is NOT that big, especially compared to a center! But the people I get calls from want to pay under $100/week, or something, anyway, that's less than I charge.

I do not since I have a group up to 12 and while I don't consider that large I also do not consider it small. ::

I would find research discussing the benefits of mixed age groups and go from there.

[Blackcat31]

I would find research discussing the benefits of mixed age groups and go from there.

Benefits of mixed age care groups

•Multi-age groups offer children opportunities to develop and practice social skills.
•There is a wider range of behavior and performance that is likely to be accepted and tolerated by the adults as well as by the children themselves.
•There is often less competitive and more cooperative or helpful behaviors.
•Mixed-age group care is more like a home setting and often a more comfortable and secure setting for young children.
•Siblings are not separated.
•By design, mixed-age group care is geared more to the needs of individuals. Children in such groups have greater freedom to develop at their own rate.
•Older children learn to adapt their language and social skills to relate with younger children, often learning patience, compassion and problem solving skills.
•Younger children are challenged by older children and often engage in more complex activities then when they play with same age peers.

[Starburst]

Benefits of mixed age care groups

•Multi-age groups offer children opportunities to develop and practice social skills.
•There is a wider range of behavior and performance that is likely to be accepted and tolerated by the adults as well as by the children themselves.
•There is often less competitive and more cooperative or helpful behaviors.
•Mixed-age group care is more like a home setting and often a more comfortable and secure setting for young children.
•Siblings are not separated.
•By design, mixed-age group care is geared more to the needs of individuals. Children in such groups have greater freedom to develop at their own rate.
•Older children learn to adapt their language and social skills to relate with younger children, often learning patience, compassion and problem solving skills.
•Younger children are challenged by older children and often engage in more complex activities then when they play with same age peers.

That would be very helpful for me because I do plan on also offering after school care as well.