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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Infants and Toddlers Care
SimpleMom 12:13 PM 11-17-2011
Anyone do this? I mean only infants and toddlers? I'm thinking of some ideas to come about in the next 3 or 4 years. Wondering how this might work?
cheerfuldom 12:16 PM 11-17-2011
I know several people that do this. The big thing is to keep your ratio within state guidlines and within your own capabilities. Four babies and toddlers are a whole different ball game than four preschoolers. I did this for the past several years and am now more than happy to move onto preschool age. All my daycare kids are 14 months or older. I have no desire to take on another young one period.
mismatchedsocks 12:19 PM 11-17-2011
What happens when they grow up?
MNMum 12:21 PM 11-17-2011
I'm curious, too. We have a huge need for care in our area for kids under 16 mos. This is my preferred age group anyway. Right now I have my own 2 yo, so it wouldn't make much sense, but maybe in a couple of years.
small_steps 12:24 PM 11-17-2011
It would be kinda cool if you could find someone that provided a child care similar to yours and close by that wanted only preschool age and then maybe you could keep the infants/toddlers and they could go to the other provider at 2 or 3 and then you get in a new set.
AfterSchoolMom 12:24 PM 11-17-2011
Originally Posted by lilrugrats:
What happens when they grow up?
I'd like to know that as well. I've been thinking of moving in the direction of little littles (up to 12 months)...but what happens when they reach a year old? Are they "kicked out"?What happens when they grow up?
cheerfuldom 12:27 PM 11-17-2011
small-steps, thats what two of my friends do. One provider does 2 and under only. At 2, they can easily go a few streets down to the 2 and up provider if they want. Any big siblings that have a baby sibling on the way....the parents are referred to the baby daycare. Its two stops for the parents but they are close by and several families have done this. The providers work with each with referrals and the parents have ready references for the other provider, if that makes sense, because it is the same families using both providers.
nannyde 12:28 PM 11-17-2011
I would LOVE to do just babies but even with extra adults here we can only have four. There's no money in the birth to two crowd. The money is in the two to five crowd.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
small_steps 12:34 PM 11-17-2011
Originally Posted by nannyde:
I would LOVE to do just babies but even with extra adults here we can only have four. There's no money in the birth to two crowd. The money is in the two to five crowd.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
In Texas, with me being licensed, I can have 4 infants (under 18 months) by myself, but with 2 adults we can have 10, so it may be easier to make a little money on something like that here. I like either/or (young ones or older ones)...right now I have mixed and it's hard with all ages. At least it is to me.I would LOVE to do just babies but even with extra adults here we can only have four. There's no money in the birth to two crowd. The money is in the two to five crowd.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
Heidi 12:36 PM 11-17-2011
I know a lady (long since retired) who studied with Magda Gerber at REI. She started a group of 3-4 children at the age of 3 months, adding them in one-by-one as she found good fits. She only had 4 max at a time, and they where there until the end of the summer after they turned 2. Then they "graduated", and she started another group.
Her entire enviroment was set up specifically for babies, and it "grew" with the children. It was pretty cool. She had the family room of her house set up with heated floors and low shelves. No swings, no highchairs. no plastic, for the most part. Soft toys to start, and room to roll, sit, crawl, walk. When they could sit up, she had a small table and chairs where they ate. She had a sleeping room right next to the playroom with 4 cribs.
THis lady was older, had one grown son, I believe. She did not have to worry about legos or a barbie shoe from her child's room ending up in the daycare. And, she did not potty train.
The one thing that would be tough for me is that REI is very much about listening to the child's cues. So, they nap when they "tell you" they are tired, and are never encouraged to go on a "schedule". While I am not exactly rigid about a schedule, I would not want to be caring for 4 babies for 10 hours while they all slept at different times. Feeding 4 would be another challenge. You are, afterall, supposed to make eye contact and look at them dreamily the whole time!
Her entire enviroment was set up specifically for babies, and it "grew" with the children. It was pretty cool. She had the family room of her house set up with heated floors and low shelves. No swings, no highchairs. no plastic, for the most part. Soft toys to start, and room to roll, sit, crawl, walk. When they could sit up, she had a small table and chairs where they ate. She had a sleeping room right next to the playroom with 4 cribs.
THis lady was older, had one grown son, I believe. She did not have to worry about legos or a barbie shoe from her child's room ending up in the daycare. And, she did not potty train.
The one thing that would be tough for me is that REI is very much about listening to the child's cues. So, they nap when they "tell you" they are tired, and are never encouraged to go on a "schedule". While I am not exactly rigid about a schedule, I would not want to be caring for 4 babies for 10 hours while they all slept at different times. Feeding 4 would be another challenge. You are, afterall, supposed to make eye contact and look at them dreamily the whole time!
Heidi 12:39 PM 11-17-2011
Originally Posted by nannyde:
I would LOVE to do just babies but even with extra adults here we can only have four. There's no money in the birth to two crowd. The money is in the two to five crowd.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
Here we can have 4 under 2 by ourselves, up to 8 with an asisstant. At maybe $100-$110 per week, it woudn't pay to have an assistant and have the chaos of 8!I would LOVE to do just babies but even with extra adults here we can only have four. There's no money in the birth to two crowd. The money is in the two to five crowd.
We can have 12 FT and 2 PT two year olds with two adults.
We can have four infants with two adults. We can have four infants with eight adults... Doesn't matter how many adults ... only four babies under one residential roof.
cheerfuldom 01:19 PM 11-17-2011
wait....texas you can have 10 kids under 18 months with 2 adults???? that does not sound like a safe or happy situation for anyone involved.....
small_steps 01:26 PM 11-17-2011
Yes if you are a licensed home you can have 10 infants with 2 adults. Idon't think it would be that bad if you had someone in there with you that was a good helper. In centers we have 4 alone and if you get them on the same schedule it's not bad at all IMO
Cat Herder 01:49 PM 11-17-2011
I only do birth to 4. 
Preschool is free here at 4, so really it was the only option. I can't compete with free and the regs for preschool are absurd.
It worked out well, though, because the beginning of the program coincided with my own kids going off to school. Timing is everything....
I can have no more than 3 kids under 12 months or my ratio goes to 4 kids max. No more than 6 kids for pay as long as the majority are over 12 months.
Preschool is free here at 4, so really it was the only option. I can't compete with free and the regs for preschool are absurd.
It worked out well, though, because the beginning of the program coincided with my own kids going off to school. Timing is everything....
I can have no more than 3 kids under 12 months or my ratio goes to 4 kids max. No more than 6 kids for pay as long as the majority are over 12 months.
SimpleMom 02:40 PM 11-17-2011
In three to four years it would be ok if I made less. I wanted to just stay home with my kiddos, but that didn't pan out 
The pay for 4 under the age of two wouldn't be any less than I'd make as a para. The hours are another thing. That's why I'm thinking about it. I've got time. I just want to research everything I can before I decide.
I love the littles!! I used to work in the Infant room at the daycare center and LOVED it! Pre-k is fun as well. I have just decided that it's not about the money for me. I want to enjoy my job to the fullest, do the best that I can do for God, and try to keep my hours at bay so that my family gets the attention that they need and deserve. I want to continue to stay home and be availably that way. I would also like to keep earing a little income to assist here and there for the kid's needs and such.
I was curious if it would be hard to get families if I cut them off at 2?? The work involved is just good fun for me
I'm already a bit worried that I am cutting kids off at 5 now (or Kindergarten). I just want to take kids between the ages of 2 months and 5 yrs for now.
The pay for 4 under the age of two wouldn't be any less than I'd make as a para. The hours are another thing. That's why I'm thinking about it. I've got time. I just want to research everything I can before I decide.
I love the littles!! I used to work in the Infant room at the daycare center and LOVED it! Pre-k is fun as well. I have just decided that it's not about the money for me. I want to enjoy my job to the fullest, do the best that I can do for God, and try to keep my hours at bay so that my family gets the attention that they need and deserve. I want to continue to stay home and be availably that way. I would also like to keep earing a little income to assist here and there for the kid's needs and such.
I was curious if it would be hard to get families if I cut them off at 2?? The work involved is just good fun for me
I'm already a bit worried that I am cutting kids off at 5 now (or Kindergarten). I just want to take kids between the ages of 2 months and 5 yrs for now.
Blackcat31 03:23 PM 11-17-2011
In MN if you are licensed (Class D) as Specialized Infant and Toddler care, you need 2 adults. But you can have 7 children under age 2. (max of 4 infants under 1 year)
SimpleMom 09:37 AM 11-24-2011
I found in the licensing book (online) that I can have 5 under age 2 with one adult (no more than 3 infants)
and 6 under age 2 with one adult (no more than 2 infants)
I'm thinking if I did this I woud do one infant and 5 or 6 toddlers.
I just wonder if it would work well? Maybe I should do mostly infant and just 2 or 3 toddlers hahahaha. The toddlers get a little fiesty at times, but with less than 7 or 12 in the room (as in centers) maybe it won't be so bad?
and 6 under age 2 with one adult (no more than 2 infants)
I'm thinking if I did this I woud do one infant and 5 or 6 toddlers.
I just wonder if it would work well? Maybe I should do mostly infant and just 2 or 3 toddlers hahahaha. The toddlers get a little fiesty at times, but with less than 7 or 12 in the room (as in centers) maybe it won't be so bad?
iheartkids 01:18 PM 11-24-2011
If I could have all babies I would! Once you get them on a nap routine that's TWO breaks a day I would get! haha! Where as older kids only take one nap! But really I think it is so much easier to have all the kids all close to the same age cause on the days I have 4 babies and 1 older child and I feel bad that the older child doesn't really have anyone to play with. And if I get something out for the older child that the under 2's can't play with then they become like zombies and crawl around the "barrier" crying cause they want to play with the matchbox cars and legos.
I like being the "first" person. The first one to teach the child to color, paint, play playdoh, sing twinkle-little-star, teach colors/shapes. I love seeing the parents' reaction when I say "we played with playdoh today and he loved squishing it!" and they say "What? Really? Did he try to eat it? I've never even thought of giving him playdoh!" I totally think I could handle a house of babies and that's all get phone calls for! If I didn't have a 4 limit I would totally be full right now! It's the older kids I can't get because everyone wants their child in a "preschool".
I like being the "first" person. The first one to teach the child to color, paint, play playdoh, sing twinkle-little-star, teach colors/shapes. I love seeing the parents' reaction when I say "we played with playdoh today and he loved squishing it!" and they say "What? Really? Did he try to eat it? I've never even thought of giving him playdoh!" I totally think I could handle a house of babies and that's all get phone calls for! If I didn't have a 4 limit I would totally be full right now! It's the older kids I can't get because everyone wants their child in a "preschool".
snbauser 03:20 PM 11-24-2011
Originally Posted by small_steps:
It would be kinda cool if you could find someone that provided a child care similar to yours and close by that wanted only preschool age and then maybe you could keep the infants/toddlers and they could go to the other provider at 2 or 3 and then you get in a new set.
A friend and I do this. She does infants and toddlers. I only do 3's and 4's. We live about 5 minutes apart.It would be kinda cool if you could find someone that provided a child care similar to yours and close by that wanted only preschool age and then maybe you could keep the infants/toddlers and they could go to the other provider at 2 or 3 and then you get in a new set.
SimpleMom 08:58 AM 11-28-2011
Just talked with my licensor and I Guess it will be a few years before I could do this since my own kids are still counted in my numbers. Maybe I could only take kids up to age 4yrs??