Optimal Number of Kids

[midaycare]

The SD post got me thinking...what do you believe is the optimal - or maximum - number of children a provider should have?

States really differ on this! I can watch 6 within strict age ratios.

I think 7 kids would be fine with age ratios, and also that would be a good maximum.

[Leigh]

The SD post got me thinking...what do you believe is the optimal - or maximum - number of children a provider should have?

States really differ on this! I can watch 6 within strict age ratios.

I think 7 kids would be fine with age ratios, and also that would be a good maximum.

I find 12 to be much easier than 4. 12 is very manageable. 2 under 1, 2 between 12 and 24 months, the rest 2 & up.

The only issue that I have is the mixed ages. Outside time is difficult because I have 15 month old twins who CAN'T go outdoors (doctor's orders), so outdoor time is scheduled around their naps (they sleep inside the sliding door so I can watch them and the kids outside at the same time).

[MunchkinWrangler]

I would say 6-7. Especially keeping within proper ratios. Lots of fun!

[daycarediva]

I would love to be able to take 8 under 5. I can't with licensing in my state, but I don't take infants so it would be just ages 2-5. I have 6 under 5 daily now, and had two kids aging up to K (and had 8 legally all day in summer) and it was easy peasy!

[midaycare]

I find 12 to be much easier than 4. 12 is very manageable. 2 under 1, 2 between 12 and 24 months, the rest 2 & up.

The only issue that I have is the mixed ages. Outside time is difficult because I have 15 month old twins who CAN'T go outdoors (doctor's orders), so outdoor time is scheduled around their naps (they sleep inside the sliding door so I can watch them and the kids outside at the same time).

You went straight from 4 to 12 ::

Did you have 12 at one time?

It's funny because when I taught 1st and 2nd grade, it was nothing to have 25-30 kids. But they were all potty trained and followed directions relatively well.

[laundrymom]

I like 10 but think 12 is doable

[Blackcat31]

I like 10 but think 12 is doable

I normally have 10 but these last few years I've had 12.

Like Leigh said...12 is easy... 4 not so much.

[midaycare]

I agree 4 is low. When I started I had 4 for the first month or so, maybe 6 weeks. It was torture.

5 kids gives everyone a ton of individual attention, and if the ages are right, they play together well.

6 works well. 7 is illegal here but I've done it with a helper - I have a group family home license that I don't normally use. It allows me to have 12 with a helper. I've done up to 10 with a helper, but that just gets crazy for me. That could be because the helper was short term and the kids and situations were short term, so I ended up with most of the work anyway.

I think 7 would be cool, much more than that I would lose control and balance.

[KIDZRMYBIZ]

I have to say that I like 6 (2 babies, 2 toddlers, 2 preschoolers). For me, it's a pretty peaceful day when that happens. However, I am going through all the same motions daily whether there is 1 here or all 8, and I think it would take nothing to add 4 more to it. But I really like 6!

[MunchkinWrangler]

I agree 4 is low. When I started I had 4 for the first month or so, maybe 6 weeks. It was torture.

5 kids gives everyone a ton of individual attention, and if the ages are right, they play together well.

6 works well. 7 is illegal here but I've done it with a helper - I have a group family home license that I don't normally use. It allows me to have 12 with a helper. I've done up to 10 with a helper, but that just gets crazy for me. That could be because the helper was short term and the kids and situations were short term, so I ended up with most of the work anyway.

I think 7 would be cool, much more than that I would lose control and balance.

Yes, at my peak I had 7. 1-infant 2-toddlers 2-preschoolers 2-schoolagers. It made for a well rounded group and the ages matched up perfectly.

[lovemydaycare0912]

Those who have 12, are you able to watch 12 on your own or do you have assistants that need to be there? I think I'd go crazy with 12 under 3 since that's the age range I care for. Even with my husband here I think it would be too much.

[jenboo]

I currently do 5 kids under 2yrs old. I could easily add 1 more. If the kids were 2 and up, i think 12 would be a good number.

[Controlled Chaos]

I am licensed for 8, but 2 of mine don't count so I have had 10 kids who were are 5y and under.

I typically have 9 and it runs really smoothly.
I think I like 8 best, 6-8 is ideal. I start to get bored with 6 though, and less than that I have more behavior issues and they need entertained more.

[Snowmom]

I have 12.
I love 12. Perfect amount to me.
Yes, all on my own, no helpers.
8 preschoolers (2-5 yrs old), 2 under 2yrs, 2 SA'ers (mine).

All are presently napping and follow a daily routine to the T.

[Blackcat31]

I have 12.
I love 12. Perfect amount to me.
Yes, all on my own, no helpers.
8 preschoolers (2-5 yrs old), 2 under 2yrs, 2 SA'ers (mine).

All are presently napping and follow a daily routine to the T.

this^^^

no helpers. (DH does come into daycare and help but not because he is required too.....he comes because he's lonely at home with just the cats and the dog )

Mine are:
1 ~ 5 month old (infant)
2 ~ 20/21 months (1 boy/1 girl)
7 ~ preschoolers (2 yrs to 4 yrs....5 boys/2 girls)
2 ~ school aged kids (late summer birthdays so waiting until next year to start kindy..... 1 boy/1 girl)

The magic key for me is routine, routine, routine, routine