How Many Families Did You Open Up With?

[spud912]

Legally unlicensed for up to 4....started with 1. Had intentions to only have 2 but I budgeted incorrectly and really do need 4 to stay afloat. I had 4 by the end of the first year.

[kendallina]

I once opened up a center with a capacity for 90 and we only had bout 17 on opening day. We filled up quickly though.

I opened my in home with capacity for 6 with 4 children.

I agree with PP, if you have an opening date set, stick to it or you may lose those families.

[midaycare]

I am licensed for 6, opened with 2, but had 6 already scheduled to start within 2 weeks of opening.

I quickly lost 3 due to a move (sibling set) and unemployment of dcm. I filled up again within 3 weeks of interviewing, but the start dates were spread out over the next 6 weeks.

Now I have a waiting list. I opened this year. I also now only take 5 kids, instead of 6. I feel more comfortable handling 5 since I am teaching a preschool, too.

[nothingwithoutjoy]

I started out licensed for 6. I opened in September with 5 families, but only 2-4 kids per day. It took until January to be fully enrolled. But my kids were all under 3, and it turned out to be a blessing to start slowly; gave me time to adjust to infants and to teaching alone after years of co-teachers in the classroom. (Not so good for the budget, but we managed.)

[NightOwl]

No don't delay. You could lose the waiting families. And it may be hard to fill your remaining spots when your not actually operating the business yet. People trust experience and not being open translates to no experience for most people.

And I opened full, but that's only because I had closed my center and had several families following me. They made due for 3 months until my license came through.

[akpayne]

I can have 5 kids, I opened with one family with 3 kids.

[MOM OF 4]

I could have 8 and opened with 2 (a sibling set)