Originally Posted by Angelsj:
School age kids have to be strictly controlled. You need to sit them down and have a chat. Decide how you want your afternoon to go.
We do:
Arrival, hang up coats and sit down for snack 20 mins
If it is nice, send them outside for the remainder of the time
If not, have a craft/painting/legos or something they must do sitting at the table. I have several toys that only the older kids can use. Either the littles are gone at that time, or I give the older kids a safe place to use the "older kid" toys separate from the little ones.
Not sure how long you have them, but you cannot just let them come in and free play. You must remain strictly in control if you cannot give them an outdoor place to run wild. They have been cooped up all day at school and have a ton of energy that must be channeled.
We aren't allowed to send them outside without an adult outside with them at all times AND that adult can not be an assistant. It HAS to be a co-provider or a substitute. A substitute has to be 21 years or older AND you can only use a substitute 28 hours per month.
It would take the entire salary of the school agers to cover the adult who has to be outside with them. A substitute is expensive.
I don't take school agers. They are too expensive and the pay is too small. They are too much work and cause too many issues with equipment, interpersonal issues, and parent/provider conflict. They also don't take a nap so they are out of the question.