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AnythingsPossible 09:10 AM 02-27-2013
Any one operate a program for 6wks to 3 years? I am contemplating going to this age group as it would allow more focused care for that particular age group. My concern is that people would look elsewhere for care for a situation where they could stay till school age. I am unsure of how receptive people would be to the idea of limited age groups. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
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blandino 09:31 AM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by AnythingsPossible:
Any one operate a program for 6wks to 3 years? I am contemplating going to this age group as it would allow more focused care for that particular age group. My concern is that people would look elsewhere for care for a situation where they could stay till school age. I am unsure of how receptive people would be to the idea of limited age groups. Any advice or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
We have also contemplate doing this. Actually our plan was to have 3 or toilet trained as the cut-off. We have a fair amount of preschools in our area that cater to 3 and up, so I don't think it would cause too much of an issue for parents.

Also, I think it is appealing to parents of infants that there aren't bigger kids around their little babies, so it keeps them safe from germs, rough play, etc.
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Cat Herder 09:38 AM 02-27-2013
I did but it was to avoid over regulation.

I go birth through three.

Once they turn 4, they are off to Universal, Federally Funded, Preschool.

Otherwise I have some very expensive and time consuming hoops to jump through.

It is asinine to attempt to compete with free childcare. That is what the legislative "Job Creators" are banking on.
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cheerfuldom 10:05 AM 02-27-2013
my friend does 0-2 quite successfully and caters to parents that dont want their babies around older kids and want the full daycare area to be age appropriate for their child. she is always full.

i would never do it because i am totally burnt out on older babies/young toddlers. that age does not mesh well with me.
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Lyss 10:19 AM 02-27-2013
I do 6wks to 4yrs.

Honestly I'm burnt out on older ages, I've worked with them for years. Plus our area is very saturated with preschools. There are 3 within 1/4 mile from my house, plus dozens more just on our side of town.

I also prefer to have a really small group and I've found I have an easier time filling my small group with younger kids, parents here seem to prefer a smaller groups for the little ones and larger groups for the older ones. which make sense and works for me.
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EchoMom 10:27 AM 02-27-2013
I only take 3 months - 3 years old. That doesn't mean I'll kick an existing client out on their 3rd birthday, but at that point I'll start looking for a natural opportunity to part ways, it also depends on the size/energy level of the child. I haven't had to deal with it yet so I'll know when I get there.

I love it. For a short time I was caring for 3 month - 5 year olds and I hated it. Way too much difference in age. This is SO much better. My oldest DCK is just about to turn 3.
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allsmiles 10:32 AM 02-27-2013
we do this but not by choice LOL.. most kids go to preschool at 3 here.. i have only one three year old because he missed the age cutoff and i have been looking for a playmate for him since we opened LOL.. im sure it sucks for him that noone else knows how to talk LOL..
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AnythingsPossible 10:53 AM 02-27-2013
Thanks all. We have quite a few programs around here that offer care to 2 and over, and some 3 and over so I am hoping that I could fill the gap a bit for the youngers, only my capacity would be quite small!
I enjoy the younger ages. Having been licensed for 11 years, I am ready for some kind of change and have thought about working for a preschool, but would be taking a severe pay cut and that isn't the age I enjoy. I don't plan to implement this for a few years, but it very much interests me.
Thanks for the input!!
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snbauser 11:07 AM 02-27-2013
I know of several providers who only care for infants and toddlers and have no problem staying full. It helps though if you have contacts that you can refer them to as they age out of your program.
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MNMum 12:10 PM 02-27-2013
I'm guessing this is how my group will be d/t my area. Right now I have 3 mos-2 years. My own 3 year old and one 4 year old (who attends preschool 3 days/week in the afternoons). Parents are very competitive about the learning that their preschoolers are obtaining...
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EntropyControlSpecialist 12:18 PM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by AnythingsPossible:
Thanks all. We have quite a few programs around here that offer care to 2 and over, and some 3 and over so I am hoping that I could fill the gap a bit for the youngers, only my capacity would be quite small!
I enjoy the younger ages. Having been licensed for 11 years, I am ready for some kind of change and have thought about working for a preschool, but would be taking a severe pay cut and that isn't the age I enjoy. I don't plan to implement this for a few years, but it very much interests me.
Thanks for the input!!
That sounds like it would work out well for you should you pursue it.
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Rachel 05:30 AM 02-28-2013
We also have universal pre-k here and a late cutoff, so the oldest kid I would have would turn 3 in January. The pace I work with also divides by age, so you have 5 the same age. This year I have babies, next year I am taking 1 year olds (we do registration by school year here).
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