What's Your Limit?

[logged out]

On how many children you'll care for at one time by yourself? I personally feel uncomfortable caring for 9-10 children ages 2-7 yrs. Is that bad? Should I be able to take care of that many children without it bothering me? Once a week this summer I'm going to have that many children all day without any help, and am feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea. (It wasn't my decision, was just kinda told what I was going to be doing). It IS within ratio (10:1 is the maximum ratio), so it's not illegal, but I do think it's a lot to do for one person trying to care for them, assist in the restroom, fix meals and snacks, keep the "bored" school agers busy, etc etc etc with only one pair of eyes and hands. The exact age groups I will have alone are five or six 2-4 yr olds and four 7-8 yr olds. Should I be okay with that? Maybe I just need to get used to it....?

[Cat Herder]

I would not do it, but it would be against regs here.

WHY are you being forced? Do you work for someone else or is this your daycare?

[PitterPatter]

I would not do anything I felt uncomfortable doing. I have had my limit in care (6) and been great with it. But another time I have had 3 in care and it was a nightmare. It depends on the children, the parents, and the personalities of each. Now I have 3 and I am fed up with 1 family so it's finally bye bye to them.

I hope u can manage a way to work so that u feel more comfortable. Good luck to u!

[youretooloud]

I feel very comfortable with 8. Over 8 is kinda hard.

Under 4 is horrible. I'm so tired on the low count days. I think I'd rather have 12 kids than three kids.

6 is my favorite.

[laundrymom]

I don't think there is a " magic number". If you don't feel comfy, you should not have to do it. I personally have 10 plus my own every single day. Birth to 4. My girls are 10&13. But that's just me.

[nannyde]

I feel very comfortable with 8. Over 8 is kinda hard.

Under 4 is horrible. I'm so tired on the low count days. I think I'd rather have 12 kids than three kids.

6 is my favorite.

By myself I can have eight comfortably. Over eight is too much. With a good staff assistant we can run eleven/twelve.

[Rachel]

Here official ration is 5:1, but they will give you a 6th for certain speicific reasons. Private people take 6 - 8, one or 2 take 10 - 12 (w/o an assistant).

[Kaddidle Care]

I'd say about 7 but it totally depends on the day. Lately it's the end of the school year crazies and I'll top off at 4! ::

Yesterday was the day from.. you-know-where. If I didn't have an assistant with me I'd be bald!

[Maddy'sMommy]

I am allowed 5 children under 10, plus my own child. I haven't started yet, but I think I am going to have 3 kids plus my baby. I'll see how that goes before enrolling anyone else.

[lil angels]

I am allowed 12 by myself. I have done it before but was very busy. You have to be a god to a schedule to keep things running well. I have about 8 normally now and don't mind it. You will have a hard time getting used to it if it is only one day a week. Just take it minute by minute and have things planned ahead of time or you will have a very long day. It is doable hang in there. Now I normally have 7 or eight and like that.

[Meyou]

I'm comfortable with 8 but with only 1-2 "new" kids in there.

[Sunshine44]

Wow, I feel like a failure. Just kidding. I prefer only four and that includes my own preschooler. Somehow when I have that many it just 'works'. Having 5, 6 or 7 is doable, just not my preference.

[AnythingsPossible]

Our ratio is 10:1 as well. I definatley prefer having 6 to 8. At 8, I start to feel a bit over run. At 10, I am stressed all day. Like you, I have a couple of days a week throughout the summer that I will have 10 kids. I just keep in mind that it's only for a few months. If it was everyday, my husband would probably leave me by the end of the summer! 6 is a very comfortable group for me, but I have so many part timers that I have the higher numbers occasionally.

[daysofelijah]

I can have up to 10 including my own. I used to always try to be full. 10 is pretty overwhelming though. Now I have 8 on full days and that is doable. I would say 6 total is my most comfortable amount.

[kidkair]

I prefer 5 but can handle up to 7 and am licensed for 10 (8 under school age). The most I've had at one time is 8 and that was a crazy crazy day since most were drop ins and didn't know the rules and routine.