Trying To Decide Whether To Expand My Age Range

[spedmommy4]

I am an early childhood special educator turned home based child care provider/preschool teacher. I officially opened in February of this year, so I haven't been advertising long.

I currently offer full time/part time care for children age 2 through 5. In the last month, I have enrolled 3 children. (My capacity is 14) I have received 8-10 calls for parents wanting infant care. I know it's a need in my area but I have been hesitant to expand my age range.

My concerns are: continuing to provide a variety of enriching activities for all the kids, burnout from balancing babies and preschoolers, (I'm a mom of 4-oh the memories!) and maintaining the high quality required by the CCTR program I participate in. (It requires exceptionally high standards like qris) My two oldest are now teens, and not used to having babies in the house, so I imagine that would be an adjustment.

So my question is, how have you made infant care work? Any tips???


Note
** I am not considering newborn care; maybe expanding to 12 months and older.

[daycare]

I have a similar program to you and expanded to 16 months. And they must be able to self Feed, follow simple directions and nap on a cot.

Lately most of kids enrolling are 18monyhs to 2

Sorry for typos I'm on my phone.

I would not take an infant. There's no way you could teach and meet the needs of everyone. BTDT

[Thriftylady]

I am trying to get kids at this point so am considering infants, but I much would rather have the 2-5 preschool crowd. It would can be so tough to mix them, but I figure put the littles at the table doing something so they can hear/see what the others are doing.

[spedmommy4]

I like your solution daycare. I think that may be something that could work for me as well. :-)

[Blackcat31]

I am licensed for ages 6 weeks to 10 years.

I stopped taking kids under 12 months as well as school age kids a while back.

BEST decision I ever made.

I have since amended my age range and do accept infants now but ONLY those born to currently enrolled full time families.

Once they start Kindy, I am done.

[Unregistered]

I'd love to do 2-5 yrs but wouldn't get enough kids because we have all day 5 days a week 4k.

I've have switched to one yr and older.