Pros/Cons Of Infant Only Care

[hwichlaz]

Do you live in your income alone? I can have 6 children with 2 under 2 but because DH is my assistant, all can be under 2. As of 3/24 I will have a 3m,4m,and 5m, two 1 year olds and a 2 year old. Also a 1 and 2 year old for drop in care. I love the younger ones, but they have to fit in with your group. If you can get a good routine going, it's not that bad. They just can't talk back . I have my two current infants on a good schedule wear they eat and nap at around the same time. Totally up to you and if you can make it work financially and mentally.

Yes, I'm a single parent with two kids still at home. I get child support, but not enough to make up for that kind of income change.

[hwichlaz]

Though.....I could see myself doing it as a partial retirement in the future. I do love my babies. <3

[Josiegirl]

I support myself so making it work financially would be the toughest part. At the moment I've increased my rates to 110 a week, after having them at 105 for so long. Then I found out what going rates were locally. Everybody was charging 125-135 with center rates even more. So any new dcfs are paying 125 a week and I'm increasing my current families $5 a week every 6 months.
So 105 a week x 6 was 630 for many years, while spending so much on required materials, etc. I found I was spending a lot of money having 6 kids.
So if I only did 3 infants at...oh say 150 a week each, would be 450 income with an initial cost of additional equipment but after that I wouldn't need much. Plus I could sell a lot of my older kid things and purchase the needed equipment for infants.
The more I think about it, the more I could see this working. My only dilemma is getting babies on a schedule together. My 1 infant is 6 months and she only takes 30-45 minute naps(on a good day).

Catherder, no judging here about the narrating! I talk to myself a lot or sing all day long. ::

[Cat Herder]

I support myself so making it work financially would be the toughest part. At the moment I've increased my rates to 110 a week, after having them at 105 for so long. Then I found out what going rates were locally. Everybody was charging 125-135 with center rates even more. So any new dcfs are paying 125 a week and I'm increasing my current families $5 a week every 6 months.
So 105 a week x 6 was 630 for many years, while spending so much on required materials, etc. I found I was spending a lot of money having 6 kids.
So if I only did 3 infants at...oh say 150 a week each, would be 450 income with an initial cost of additional equipment but after that I wouldn't need much. Plus I could sell a lot of my older kid things and purchase the needed equipment for infants.
The more I think about it, the more I could see this working. My only dilemma is getting babies on a schedule together. My 1 infant is 6 months and she only takes 30-45 minute naps(on a good day).

Catherder, no judging here about the narrating! I talk to myself a lot or sing all day long. ::

:::: It is what we do. I do prefer working with infants and toddlers. Love it, actually. lovethislovethis

I just went to $125 for new enrollees with my current DCK's staying at $115 until 2018. It is the going rate for 50 hour weeks, here, too. I already have enough infant supplies to make the switch today and not need anything for at least 5 years.

The problem is the market.

It is virtually impossible to stay full keeping infants only. The general client base is first time parents and "change of life" parents (with much older children). Both bases can be wrought with adult management issues. ::::::

Parents of young sibling sets want the kids together in family childcare. That is where the cake is, IMHO.

I still only enroll young infants. I just keep them until school age along with any subsequent siblings.

It has kept me full with a long waiting list for years. I also have little to no behavior issues or turnover this way. Whipped cream on top to me. lovethis

[hwichlaz]

:::: It is what we do. I do prefer working with infants and toddlers. Love it, actually. lovethislovethis

I just went to $125 for new enrollees with my current DCK's staying at $115 until 2018. It is the going rate for 50 hour weeks, here, too. I already have enough infant supplies to make the switch today and not need anything for at least 5 years.

The problem is the market.

It is virtually impossible to stay full keeping infants only. The general client base is first time parents and "change of life" parents (with much older children). Both bases can be wrought with adult management issues. ::::::

Parents of young sibling sets want the kids together in family childcare. That is where the cake is, IMHO.

I still only enroll young infants. I just keep them until school age along with any subsequent siblings.

It has kept me full with a long waiting list for years. I also have little to no behavior issues or turnover this way. Whipped cream on top to me. lovethis

This is my current situation too. I get them as newborns and keep them until about 1st grade or so when they make it off the after school care wait list.

[CityGarden]

I love the idea of Infant Only care from a business standpoint.

PROS:
- Less children with still full time pay (in my area you can make more caring for 4 infants vs 6 children based on going rates)

- No need for an additional helper which reduces cost

- Less parents / families to deal with, less payments to collect, less admin paperwork

- More likely to stay full and have a waitlist since infant care is so hard to secure due to low number of spots

- Less transition time needed most infants don't have separation issues.

- Parents are more likely to be working so less likely to be micromanaging your every move and decision.

- You know well in advance when you will have an open spot since most will stay until they age out - making it easier to plan for. Also parents know when they are going to deliver so many want to ensure infant care in advance of that.

- Less wear and tear on your home.

CONS
- It is not my favorite age rage to work with my far and I find it extremely draining.

- My days would not personally be fulfilled - and I would worry about brain mush. Even with 2+ I work at making sure I interact with adults outside of work to keep my sanity.

- The equipment is bulkier and takes up more room.

- Clean up is both easier and more difficult due to their age.

- I loathe formula poop. It is the most disgusting smell ever to me and makes me want to vomit.


The PROS far outweight the cons for me but I know it is not for me unless I just financially must.

[jenboo]

Here is a tip I have learned recently the hard way... Don't enroll a child over 12 months...preferably under 8 months. The older they get, the harder the transition is.