Holding spots vs. waiting for perfect fit

[DCMom]

Hi,

I am just starting out and will only ever have 2 spots (2 kids of my own - want to keep it small). I interviewed/contract/filled my first spot very quickly, and now am wondering how to fill the second spot. I have had a good deal of interest for either [A] my second-choice age group (most are parents of 1YO, but ideally I'd take toddler since all the others are older and I'm not sure mixed age groups would be best for these kids) OR [B] they can't start right away (mid-November, March, etc...) - or a combination of the two.
I don't want to settle for the less-than-perfect age if they can start soon, but also am concerned that the 'perfect fit' of the perfect age at the perfect time might not happen (or that I'll lose a few months of potential wages while waiting).

1. Is this a scenario where I should consider interviewing and holding spots if the age is right and it's a good fit? (and if so, how far in advance would you consider and what do you do for holding fees?)

2. Do I try the mixed age group if I can get a 1YO right away?

3. Am I missing another option/approach?

This feels like a mix of strategy and leap of faith.

[Momof4]

It's really nice that you don't have to get too many children into your care and stress yourself out with a lot of children. You have a good plan to start slowly but ideally I like to have all children start with me at a very young age so that they learn my rules and are not coming in at an older age with bad habits learned at another daycare.

However, I did just accept a 2.5 year old boy this summer who was treated badly at a daycare centre and he turned out to be wonderful and I just started a new 1 year old boy who is doing nothing but screaming nonstop, so you just never know!!!

I think you hit the nail on the head. Everything about our business is a leap of faith and the gosh darn luck of the draw! Ok, I always warn that one of the great lessons I've learned is that we are two people: nurterers for the children but strict businesswomen with the parents. Go with your gut, use your instincts, but at the interview ask many questions about the parents ideas about raising their child and make sure it jives with your philosophies. Make sure the child is not uncontrollable and get the parents to make sure their child is on your napping and mealtime schedule before joining your daycare. It's really important.