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View Poll Results: Are you currently full or have open spaces
NO Open Spaces 15 14.56%
NO Open Spaces~also have a wait list 21 20.39%
Open Spaces I do NOT want to fill 12 11.65%
Open Spaces I'd fill only if right fit came along 20 19.42%
Open Spaces I am ACTIVELY trying to fill 35 33.98%
Voters: 103. You may not vote on this poll
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Enrollment/Open Space
Blackcat31 06:43 AM 10-22-2013
Since enrollment was mentioned as a big issue for providers right now, I was curious as to how many of you are full right now and how many of you are actively searching for new kids.

Chose an option and then list your state/providence.

If you don't want to list your specific location, list your area...Pacific Northwest, Midwest, Southeast, etc..

I tried to allow several different scenarios since many of you DO have open spaces but aren't looking to fill them and other situations that require more than an open/full choice.
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SilverSabre25 06:47 AM 10-22-2013
Central OH, 2 open spots that I'm trying to fill. One might be filled with a dcm's new baby if she ever decides to commit
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momofsix 06:49 AM 10-22-2013
I'm in MI where we can only have 6. I have one ft space open but DON"T want it filled. Its handy for me to have right now for when parents need a schedule change etc.
I've had so many calls in the past few weeks and I seriously considered filling it-but I'm so glad I didn't.
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daycarediva 07:03 AM 10-22-2013
I have one opening 2 days per week. I am not actively trying to fill it, and appreciate the lighter two days (Mon/Fri). I have drop in kids that use the days on occasion.

NY
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itlw8 07:05 AM 10-22-2013
I am ok right now but I KNOW I will be losing 2 in May and likely 1 in June plus for sure 1 when school starts. I have to fill some now so I will be ok come summer. If I do not fill them I will have only 2 p/t and my grandson. But I have 7 to 10 months. and will have 2 under 2 openings starting in June that ALWAYS fill fast.
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blandino 07:05 AM 10-22-2013
Oklahoma: 14 children enrolled, 12 each day. 0 openings and a waiting list. However, everyone on waitlist is an infant as infant care is in high demand. Under 2yos can only make up 6 of our openings, so even if something did come open we wouldn't necessarily be able to fill it from our waitlist.
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Tdhmom 07:08 AM 10-22-2013
Northwest Missouri. When I loose 2 to kindergarten next year I will not fill those spots! Lol
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melilley 07:10 AM 10-22-2013
I'm in MI.
I have one full time spot open for a child 30 mo and under that I have been trying to fill, but all the calls that I'm getting are for 30 mo. and under and I have a waiting list for that age group also but, we can only have 4 30 mo and under and only 2 of the 4 can be 18 mo and under.
I also have 2 part time spots open, but I don't want to fill them and it would be hard to anyways.
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mema 07:14 AM 10-22-2013
Technically, according to the state (MN), I have 9 openings, but for me, I have 2. Actively trying to fill for quite some time now. Every interview I have had in recent months, they are going to at least 10 different places. There are quite a few openings here. I usually keep a small group, but that came back to bite me in the tush this year.
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LaLa1923 07:39 AM 10-22-2013
I'm in MD (Anne Arundel county) I can have 7 kiddos. I have 6 spots filled right now and I'm very comfortable with that. One kiddo is part time, and one is a school ager. I charge $25 more per week for school age kid than anyone else in my area.

I would be fine not filling my last spot.
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KSDC 08:09 AM 10-22-2013
Rural Kansas. I have 2 infants and 5 munchkins.

My little town is very tight on daycare. I never have to advertise and I am always full. The downside is that I would really like to only have 6 kiddos, but I feel guilty turning someone away when I can take their child and I know that there probably isn't another spot at the other providers right now...
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Cat Herder 08:12 AM 10-22-2013
No spaces, long wait list. Southeast. BUT highly niche with long word of mouth history in same town...

Like KSDC, I am often pressured to take more than I'd like, too often for free (Social Services requests).
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daycare 08:12 AM 10-22-2013
daycare on every corner. No joke.

I have 14 kids with 2 open spots, soon to be 4 open spots................
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CedarCreek 08:18 AM 10-22-2013
I have 6 spots and two are open. I am actively trying to fill them but with a warning that we are putting the house back on the market in January.

I am southeast of Houston,Tx

And also, my son counts as one of those so I only have 3 that are paying spots.
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littlemissmuffet 08:23 AM 10-22-2013
I chose open spaces I do not want to fill. I am legally allowed 8 but only keep a max of 6 (sometimes I have 7 temporarily if a replacement child starts before the leaving child is finished). I currently have 3 dks and my dd - so that leaves me with 2 open spaces... but I decided some time ago that until my daughter is older, I like having a much lighter load - leaves me lots of time throughout the day to have special moments with her
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slorey 08:26 AM 10-22-2013
I am in the capital area of NY. I am allowed 6 plus 2 SA. I currently have 1 enrolled. I need the money but haven't been actively trying to enroll more because I am burnt out and don't want more The one I have is 1/2 day M/W/F and I love having mornings off those days! T/Th when she is here all day seem to go by so slow! But, I would consider filling spots if the right family came along with the right schedule. Haven't had any calls in weeks though.
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snbauser 08:26 AM 10-22-2013
I am allowed 5 and I am full. I cater to school employees so I expect that I will stay full until the end of the school year. I know I am losing 2 to K next year. I am in the Charlotte, NC area.
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Familycare71 08:27 AM 10-22-2013
Ny.
I have way more SA than I would like and only three during the day FT. I tech have one opening with my current numbers but with the right families I would be willing to term pt school age to fill pt or ft younger ages- avaoiding under one tho!
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Willow 08:48 AM 10-22-2013
I'm licensed for 10 but always preferred a group size of 5 or 6 and rarely enrolled more than that.

Have 5 now, I live in rural MN.

Never had to advertise, always had a wait list.
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Childminder 09:09 AM 10-22-2013
Licensed for six, open two shifts and currently have only two after school
enrolled. Never have I been this low and no calls. Usually I turn people away.
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BrooklynM 09:26 AM 10-22-2013
Bay Area, California. I have 4 infants which is the max for infants. There is a high demand for infants. Fortunately I live in a place right between 2 major freeways so none of my DCPs live in my town, but I am on their way.

All of my babies are late this morning. ALL of them! 2nd cup of coffee...calm before the storm!
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LaLa1923 09:32 AM 10-22-2013
Originally Posted by Cat Herder:
No spaces, long wait list. Southeast. BUT highly niche with long word of mouth history in same town...

Like KSDC, I am often pressured to take more than I'd like, too often for free (Social Services requests).
Just curious, what niche do you offer?
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Scout 09:44 AM 10-22-2013
Northern OH and I have 2 spots I am also trying to fill with no luck. Had 2 months notice on these kid's leaving and nothing! Starting to get desperate and frustrated!
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Leanna 10:03 AM 10-22-2013
I voted "no open spaces - also have a wait list". My wait list only contains infants however.
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Heidi 10:06 AM 10-22-2013
I have 3 infants and 1 child who is about to turn 2. After that, I could take one more over the age of 2, but would only do that if it was a good fit...so that's what I answered above.

I do have a wait-list for infants. There are currently 3 families on it. 1 for January, 1 for next March or April, and one a.s.a.p.
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jenboo 10:47 AM 10-22-2013
I have one spot open on mondays, wednesdays and thursdays. I am actively trying to fill it but doubt i will since its random days.

ETA: Im in Las vegas, NV
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Lucy 10:52 AM 10-22-2013
PNW. I love my enrollment right now. It's the first time in over 19 years that I've had ALL the kids in school! (two are half day)

I prefer long-term relationships, and right now, have kids that I've had since birth. They range from 5-10. I have one each in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades, and two PM Kindergarteners.

From 12:45 to 3:45, I am FREEeeeeeee!!!!!!!!! Loving it!

I'll probably just do it this school year, and for next they'll all five be in full-day school, so I'll try and find pre-schoolers who can come only between 9 and 3. Yeah, that's my dream. Probably won't happen.
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Jack Sprat 10:59 AM 10-22-2013
Rural Kansas here. I have open spots but have three full time and 4 part time ( twins one day a week). I have no interest in being full. I like being able to go and do things.
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Laurel 11:08 AM 10-22-2013
Southeast Florida

We can have 6 but I choose to only take 3 so have 3 spaces that I could fill.

That said, if I wanted to fill those 3 spots it would be very hard. I haven't gotten many calls for the last few years. Half of the home daycares have closed (per our inspector) and even centers are hurting. This seemed to all start several years ago when the housing crisis began. Before that it was boom town and I kept 6 and had the phone ringing off the wall.

It hasn't hurt me personally because I wanted to downsize anyway but many providers here are truly hurting for business. Sad.

Laurel
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sharlan 11:41 AM 10-22-2013
SoCal

I'm licensed for 8, have 6. 3 don't pay (grandkids), 2 FT, and 1 before school 4 days a week.

I possibly have an infant that will start in 2 weeks, but she will only be 2 days a week.

I can literally throw a rock at 2 other daycares from my front yard. One claims to be full. The other only has 1 FT and 4 PT, we are working together. She gives me her infant calls and I give her my SA calls, although neither one is getting calls right now.
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MCC 12:26 PM 10-22-2013
I can have 5, and just applied to be able to have 7, and soon will apply for 12. I have 5 full time, and 2 people waiting on those extra 2 spots to open up (sibling of one child, and previous client).

I have 2 wait lists, one for infants, and one for 2+, and they both have 3 families on them.

I live in the DC area
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Cat Herder 12:28 PM 10-22-2013
Originally Posted by LaLa1923:
Just curious, what niche do you offer?
Medically Fragile/Special Needs, Full Care.
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craftymissbeth 12:34 PM 10-22-2013
I'm in south central Kansas and have two spots open that I do NOT want to fill at the moment. I know the holidays are coming up and we could certainly use the extra money for gifts, but I also don't really want the extra work load during such a busy time of the year.
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JoseyJo 01:20 PM 10-22-2013
NE Kansas- have openings but only filling with the right fit. Do have advertisements up right now. We never fill to our capacity anyway (we can take 12)- we usually have 8 or 9 depending on their ages. We do not take under 18 months, if we did we would have a HUGE wait list!
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Sugar Magnolia 01:34 PM 10-22-2013
Southwest Florida
Ditto that Laurel!
3 open spots
Center with capacity of 15 here.
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TwinKristi 01:50 PM 10-22-2013
Northern CA and I currently have 2 FT spots open (for over 2) I'm actively trying to fill. Craigslist, Facebook group, business cards, word of mouth, etc. Come Janurary I will have even more, 5 spots I guess?
I should also add I haven't even been licensed a year but filled up quickly and then things have fizzled a little.
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originalkat 01:59 PM 10-22-2013
I am full(8 full time slots) and have a small wait list. Mid sized city midwest.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 02:08 PM 10-22-2013
I am in the south and I am almost completely full. I have one full-time spot available and one three day part-time spot available if I wanted to operate at maximum capacity (10 children and 1 infant). I currently operate each day with 8 full-time children, 1 part-time child two days per week, and 1 infant.
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Sunshine74 02:14 PM 10-22-2013
I am at a center in NY state. The age I currently work with is pretty full, we could take maybe one or 2 more (very) part time kids, our other rooms have space.

And guess which room the director keeps interviewing for..... yep, my room.
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Cradle2crayons 02:16 PM 10-22-2013
I am full and have been full with these current kids for over a year. I also have a waiting list, currently with 10 families on it. I honestly can't remember a time of not being full and with a list.

I'm one of only a few in a 100 mile area that will or can keep special needs children.

I'm also one of the only registered state in homes that accepts vouchers in my county.


Currently, I have one special needs daycare child (and her brother) and a 3 sibling set who is vouchered. The special need family had a voucher but when they were renewing the paperwork, deccd messed up the paperwork and both kids vouchers got cancelled. They are trying to get it fixed right now,
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spinnymarie 02:17 PM 10-22-2013
I put that I have open spots that I'm actively trying to fill, but the spots are for next fall when we get a bigger license, so... In one sense I'm full with no spots/waiting list, in another, I'm actively looking to fill spots
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Angelsj 02:51 PM 10-22-2013
I have a couple of spots I could fill, if the right family comes along. Starting an infant of one of my current kiddos in a couple of weeks, so I am not actively looking, though I did recently get a new sign.
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Unregistered 03:19 PM 10-22-2013
Located in Michigan. Licensed for 12. 16 Enrolled with a waiting list until Summer of 2014.
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Lyss 03:28 PM 10-22-2013
Until yesterday I had one space open that I was NOT going to fill but now my favorite DCF just gave notice so I technically have 2 spots. I just started advertising today
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Lavender 04:17 PM 10-22-2013
I didn't vote since I work in a center, but my room is very full. We can take 8 each day and I have 12 kids (some part-time) and only 1 day a week that I sometimes have 7 attending instead of 8. I'm in western NY.
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jenn 05:48 PM 10-22-2013
I have one open spot that I would fill if the right person came along. Around here, I find that it is easy to find babies, but when looking for 12 months or older, it can take awhile. I already have 2 non walkers, so really want to find someone a little older. I have advertised to my facebook friends, but have not really searched for anyone publicly.
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Josiegirl 04:10 PM 10-24-2013
I'm hoping to be able to hold on until the right fit comes along. I can take 6 and have 4 ft, 1 pt right now. I just had a current dcm inquire about taking their other baby in January when the one I have now turns 2. If a ft really good fit came along I'd seriously consider it.(especially with the heating oil season here)
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KidGrind 04:15 PM 10-24-2013
I have two openings.

I am not too interested in filling them. A right fit would make me chew on filling one of the spots.
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Patches 04:41 PM 10-24-2013
Oklahoma

4 open spaces

Actively trying to fill at least 2
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heyhun77 05:38 PM 10-25-2013
I have capacity for more children but we have a point system for each age category and I am full based on points since I have a younger crowd right now. I have stopped answering my phone if I don't know who is calling because I have parents begging me to take their children and not understanding that my next opening will be next year.

Oh, I'm in eastern North Dakota. I wish everyone with openings well. I do not advertise and have changed my resource and referral listing to no openings, including the infant list that they give all parents which is everyone who maybe would have room in the future. All of my dcf are referrals from current/former clients or people in the neighborhood or referrals from neighbors.
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heyhun77 05:41 PM 10-25-2013
Originally Posted by Cradle2crayons:
I'm one of only a few in a 100 mile area that will or can keep special needs children.
I think this tends to be key to keeping openings filled with a waiting list. You have to find your niche and then be really great at it and word will spread like wildfire.
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jojosmommy 02:34 PM 10-26-2013
I have no openings. I am full over "my personal" limit. I have every spot filled and my son attends preschool two days a week just to accommodate a schedule issue.

I am actively recruiting new clients though in hopes of getting rid of a few babies and moving to the 18 month and up club.

However next Fall 4 kids will be going to K and I will be scrambling to fill their spots. I will start filling their spots in April as some of my clients are teachers so hopefully that will provide me with ample transition time. EEK

I am in MN.
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iRadiateLove 03:03 PM 10-28-2013
Northeast Baltimore... Licensed for 6... Would like to fill 4 spaces and leave 1 open
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Kimskiddos 03:28 PM 10-28-2013
I'm in central Texas and have 2 spaces to fill. One sooner than later and the other only for the right family.

Like another poster wrote I like long term relationships and so am pretty picky about who I interview with.
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cara041083 03:46 PM 10-28-2013
I have been open for a lil over a year and at most I have had 3 kids. I have tried EVERYTHING to fill spots. I have no idea what to do. Currently I don't have any kids and I am planing on starting fresh in Jan. I feel lost and helpless all at the same time. I need to have an income. But I can't afford daycare for my own kids which is why I decided to stay home. Now I feel like I have made it worse then it was financially. All the kids I've had are planning on coming back in Jan, but I have no clue on how to fill the other spots.
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Sunnyyy1 04:06 PM 10-28-2013
I just got my licenses so I am on a hunt.
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Provider_Manda 06:14 PM 10-28-2013
Ohio, can have 6 kids, my 3 1/2 in counted in my total. I have 4 spots I need to fill bad, and have been trying since August
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JoseyJo 07:36 PM 10-28-2013
Originally Posted by cara041083:
I have been open for a lil over a year and at most I have had 3 kids. I have tried EVERYTHING to fill spots. I have no idea what to do. Currently I don't have any kids and I am planing on starting fresh in Jan. I feel lost and helpless all at the same time. I need to have an income. But I can't afford daycare for my own kids which is why I decided to stay home. Now I feel like I have made it worse then it was financially. All the kids I've had are planning on coming back in Jan, but I have no clue on how to fill the other spots.
What part of KS are you in?
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AnneCordelia 06:22 AM 10-29-2013
I have no open spaces. I do not have a wait list because they are not done here for home daycares.
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cara041083 07:01 AM 10-29-2013
Originally Posted by JoseyJo:
What part of KS are you in?
I am located in KCK.
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