Least favorite age to work with?

[KidGrind]

I can’t do Talk Backs ever….

4 is the oldest.

[DaveA]

School agers. They drive me nuts.

[Kabob]

I usually don't like the under 1 group since I have never had any luck with parents telling me the truth and/or putting effort into getting them on a schedule for daycare. My own 4 month old has been perfect for daycare so far because she's been on my daycare schedule since I reopened. Easy peasy. If every baby were on my daycare schedule and were as comfortable playing on the floor like her, then I'd be fine with this group...

Nothing can make me want to take SA again though. The parents could be angels and the kids could poop gold, but I just don't think they are as easily entertained as the younger kids and they just are so sassy. I blame today's electronics and parenting...but still...not fun trying to squeeze in activities for the 5+ age group with toddlers and babies in tow

[Bookworm]

I love love love my 4s. 2-3 yr olds drive me crazy with wanting to be a big boy/girl one minute and a baby the next. Throw in the constant whining and crying and I'm done.

[AuntTami]

I didn't realize I could choose multiples- oops. The 3-4 range is difficult for me. The independence, the back talk, the defiance.... It drives me crazy. I'd LOVE a daycare full of infants under a year old!

[e.j.]

I checked 5 and up. There are always exceptions to the rule but in general, the kids tend to get a little mouthy by this age. Non-stop potty jokes get really old fast! By the time most of my 5 year olds are ready to start kindergarten, I'm usually more than ready to say goodbye.

[CraftyMom]

5 and up, but even 4 year olds these days can be just as bad.

I love my little ones, toddlers are my fave (1and 2). I love babies, but in a mixed group it's difficult.

[Heidi]

I picked babies and 5 year olds, but it's conditional.

I would prefer to only enroll babies, but I don't really love the whole feeding-pooping-neediness part of it. I dont' normally advertise that. I actually prefer to enroll them as early as possible, to be honest, even though it's not my favorite age. I just like to train them early. Toddlers, with all their tempers and frustrations, are actually my favorite (yes, especially if I had them the first year).

I also picked 5 year olds, but it really depends on the kiddo. One of my favorite occasional drop-ins is a just 6 year old, and I'd take her here anytime, any day. In fact, I'd keep that child if they'd give her over. She's an "old soul" though, so it doesn't matter how old she is. She's an adult in a kid's body.

[EchoMom]

You forgot one year olds on your poll. That's what I would choose as least favorite.

Birth to 1 can be delightful or a pain, just depends on the baby.

2s are pretty good. They start talking well, can do some activitIes, comprehend alot, can start to be helpful. However, I hate changing those diapers!!!

3s are great too for same reasons as 2s but even better. However, I hate the little boys AND girls spraying, missing, and dripping pee on toilet.

4s are too big, don't nap, and get bored with baby stuff. I CANNOT deal with a 4 year old I didn't raise since younger.


But ONE year old toddlers are a PAIN. They can climb out of things, screech, demand, tantrum, don't comprehend much, are never helpful, and still put things in their mouth. Plus this is the age most prone to injury but can't be put away as easily as an infant.

[Butter Biskets]

I love the babies. My least favorite is 3 and 4 year olds. I even prefer school agers to them.

[Unregistered]

So, since I didn't read the directions , I didn't realize I could have multiple choices...

I am NOT an infant provider. I have a 6 month old now, and he is sweet, but WORK. And of course he's on his own schedule, which usually is opposite of what everyone else is on
I am NOT a school aged provider. I have two SA boys currently and I'm trying to find a way to get out of providing care. Rough, smart mouthed, and the WORDS and SASS they bring home from recess and the bus. Lord, give me strength!!!::
Give me toddlers and preschoolers (I was a preschool teacher in a former life:: )

I don't enjoy school age either. I'm actually a licensed teacher. My student teaching and the subbing I did after that was the worst six months of my life. I can not handle children over six years old. They're just too set in their way. In my area, the children are just too mature. Cursing is ok with a lot of the parents. I would do home and cry every day. I'll never forget sending a child to the principal for cursing and other rude behavior. He came back with the note. The note was from the principal and said "I know you're fresh off student teaching, but only send students to the office when you have real problems. My office is very busy". Thankfully, I was hired by a hs shortly after that. I knew teaching was not for me. When I first opened, I took school age children over the summer. I thought it would be better, because it was my own business also where I live is much a better area than where I student taught. While there was no cursing, there was rudeness. I couldn't handle the "Mrs. Smith doesn't do that. You're doing it wrong"s or the "We don't do this at school!"s. Anyone 7 and up and I don't want.

[sharlan]

My absolute least favorite is school aged boys. I am so done with that age group that I really doubt I will ever take another one.

There was a reason why God didn't give me any sons.

[daycare]

my least favorite age to work with is PARENT AGE...........

[DaveA]

my least favorite age to work with is PARENT AGE...........

WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!!!!happyface::

[Josiegirl]

I voted for 4 yos, only because they're still with you most of the time and have learned sassy mouthy ways. It's not that I find any certain age group more difficult, I think it's the mixed age group. If I had all SA or all 1 yo, etc., it'd be different.