O.M.Geeeeee I Can't Wait For My 5s To Go To Kinder!!

[drseuss]

I have a 5 year old now who has just a couple of days left in my care. Her mom teaches, and school is almost out. DCG has been with me since she was one. As hard as it is going to be to see my long-time sidekick age out, she is so ready. My group here is really young and she is getting restless. *sniff sniff*

[SilverSabre25]

I find that by 4/4.5 they need a LOT more structure and a LOT more variety. They are less happy with a morning of just playing in a room full of wonderful toys and a yard full of space and a few things.

I do NOT do preschool, though preschool happens in the normal course of play.


I'm actually torn between switching to a full-blown full-day preschool type program or switching to JUSt the littles. I like preschoolers well enough if they are ALL I have to deal with and cater to. It's the blend of baby and preschooler that makes me head for the loony bin.

[KiddieCahoots]

My favorite age is 1-4yrs.
Feel up to the age of 1yr should be spent with mom.....if possible.
I get very excited with the 1yr olds.....not saying they haven't developed any of their own characters yet, or anything.....but it's kind of like a clean slate to work with....kwim?

[drseuss]

Totally LOVE one year olds!!lovethis

[daycarediva]

I like 1 to 3. 4s can be okay but by 5, both me and the kid are totally over it LOL I send my own kids to preschool part time by that age, I am certainly not dealing with someone else's 5 year old. I think that if you take older 4s and 5s, you shouldnt take kids under like 18 months. Those older kids NEED a lot of outdoor time, structure and engaging activities......you cant trust them to play on their own usually.

ITA, the mixed age groups are HARD to maintain in a typical home daycare setting. My 3-5's all need CONSTANT activities CONSTANT supervision and CONSTANT guidance. It wouldn't be fair to a young infant/toddler to be that scheduled/structured, imho.

I would take the 2-5 year range over any other age.

I do not like having babies in care. The few I have had (from current families) have been enjoyable and have been fairly easy babies but it's not my "choice" age to care for.

I also don't care much for the toddlers (12 months-23 months) although, the closer to 2 years they get the MORE I do enjoy...

Once they hit preschool age (here that is 2 years old) I LOVE THEM!!!

I love their eager to learn attitudes and willingness to please! Everything is "WOW" to them!

I don't mind the 5 year olds at all but once they have actually experienced the school setting and spent any amount of time in a group of ONLY peers, then I am done.

The immediate impact of that age group upon one another is MORE than I am willing to deal with. Up until same age peer exposure, I DO like them as they are still well behaved kids that follow the rules like second nature.

exactly this. 18m+, preferably 2+.

[e.j.]

I don't mind the 5 year olds at all but once they have actually experienced the school setting and spent any amount of time in a group of ONLY peers, then I am done.

The immediate impact of that age group upon one another is MORE than I am willing to deal with. Up until same age peer exposure, I DO like them as they are still well behaved kids that follow the rules like second nature.

I never gave it much thought but I think you hit the nail on the head! I love the independence, curiosity and eagerness-to-learn of my 3 thru 5 year olds but as soon as they're enrolled in preschool, I notice a big change in them on the days they are here. They definitely have an impact on the younger kids. I hear "potty talk" and have to deal with other fresh behaviors from kids I never had a problem with prior to preschool.

[TwinKristi]

I'm a baby lover myself! I would take up to 4yr olds, but really, I don't want to. I would prefer all under 3 if I could.

[Blackcat31]

I never gave it much thought but I think you hit the nail on the head! I love the independence, curiosity and eagerness-to-learn of my 3 thru 5 year olds but as soon as they're enrolled in preschool, I notice a big change in them on the days they are here. They definitely have an impact on the younger kids. I hear "potty talk" and have to deal with other fresh behaviors from kids I never had a problem with prior to preschool.

YES!!! It isn't the age so much but the exposure to outside influences.

When they are just here...they are MUCH better behaved.