Optimal Number of Kids

[Leigh]

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.

I went from 6 to 12. I used to have a 6 child license because I had some DIFFICULT children and could get a higher rate with a smaller license.

[Indoorvoice]

I'm allowed 6, but keep my number at 5..that includes my 3 children so only 2 daycare kids. Before I had my baby I had 4 daycare kids and I found the management of parents to be too much for me. Once my baby gets older, I may try to add more kids, but for right now my 2 dck are like family and I love my job again.

[LysesKids]

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.

I use to 5 under twos in AR... in TN I'm limited to 4... I have done six kids 2.5 years & under (2 yrs in IN) easily - it still floors the parents when most, if not all, the littles can be sound asleep @ the same time in the afternoon .

[Unregistered]

I hate that my state only allows 4 unlisecened doesnt matter if there is a assistant 4 per house I was told. i think it can be boring at times with only 4 I would love to have lots of kids, 12 kids sounds like a good amount

[Unregistered]

My state allows 8. I like 6 to 8. I can't imagine 12 alone!

For 10 years I took infants. I never took more than one infant and one toddler. That was the max that I wanted in that age range.

I now take one and up. I will consider a 9 mo. Old.

I will take take two toddlers and the rest 2 and older.

[midaycare]

I'm realizing how much more moola I would have with 12 kids...wow! I have 6 now and consider this a great income, particularly with the write offs.

This post makes me realize why we can have such different opinions on similar topics.

If I had 4 kids and you asked me how to handle a discipline issue, I would answer much differently than if I had 8-12. The more kids I have, the more of a rigid ship I run. IME, anyway. With less kids I have more time to intereact individually and the same discipline tactics don't work.

With that said, I love hearing how different everyone's program is and how YOU make YOUR business work for YOU lovethis

[ColorfulSunburst]

no helpers.

here I can work without helper only with 6 kids.
Now I have 12 (no school age kids) and work with helpers. One of them is focused on cooking and keeping the facility clean, the other one works with kids when I do group/individual lessons according to kids ages and knowledge.

[CheekyChick]

here I can work without helper only with 6 kids.
Now I have 12 (no school age kids) and work with helpers. One of them is focused on cooking and keeping the facility clean, the other one works with kids when I do group/individual lessons according to kids ages and knowledge.

Out of curiosity, what state do you live in? What kind of qualifications do your helpers have to have?

[ColorfulSunburst]

PS For me 3 is better than 1 or 2, 4 is better than 3, 6 is the number for relax ))) Number 12 (without infants) would be great for me if I am allowed to work alone. I use to work In Russia with a group of 25 3yo kids. There was a helper, who clean everything after meal times and helped to get kids ready for going outside.

[daycare]

I think 10 is easy depending on what you are trying to do. If you are trying to teach writing or such, then I think a smaller group would be better.

I have a large DC with max 14 depending on the age of the kids.. I do have to have an assistant once I have more than 6 or 8 kids depending on the ages of the kids...

[CheekyChick]

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.

12 by yourself? You are AMAZING!!! What state do you live in? Are you allowed to hire a helper (or two) if needed?

[ColorfulSunburst]

Out of curiosity, what state do you live in? What kind of qualifications do your helpers have to have?

NY.
Helpers must go through a medical exam and fingerprint plus get every year a few on-line courses. That's it.

[CheekyChick]

I think 10 is easy depending on what you are trying to do. If you are trying to teach writing or such, then I think a smaller group would be better.

I have a large DC with max 14 depending on the age of the kids.. I do have to have an assistant once I have more than 6 or 8 kids depending on the ages of the kids...

May I ask what state you live in? Also, how many infants are you allowed with a helper?

[CheekyChick]

NY.
Helpers must go through a medical exam and fingerprint plus get every year a few on-line courses. That's it.

A physical exam? Interesting. Why do you think that is? May I ask how many infants can you have with a helper?

[ColorfulSunburst]

A physical exam? Interesting. Why do you think that is? May I ask how many infants can you have with a helper?

https://www.daycare.com/newyork/