How many children under 2?

[playfelt]

I only care for infants and toddlers and love it that way. The playroom is like a giant playpen in the sense that there is nothing in there that the toddlers can't have such as craft supplies, small lego, barbie doll accesories, etc. The group learns together and is for the most part on the same schedule. No one is getting set to the side so the caregiver can concentrate on the other age group such as the infants confined to highchairs so the preschoolers can do a craft or the preschoolers left to entertain themselves so the caregiver can cuddle wth the baby.

If I was to be cautious about anything it would be the two under a year depending on how young they are. If the caregiver has children of her own that are close in age or many years of experience then she has likely had a similar scenerio before and knows how to make it work.

As for the 16 month old in the Fall, don't forget that all of the children currently in care will be 6 months older.

There are mothers that have trouble handling their one baby or a baby and toddler and their are mothers that have 5-6 kids and manage just fine. There are caregivers with the same qualities too. Go with what you think of the caregiver. Did she seem flustered, overwhelmed or the environment seem comfusing? Did she seem like she just naturally belonged in the setting? It isn't so much about the age of the children as it is the attitude and abilities of the caregiver. Children close in age learn and thrive off of each other and it is easier than with a spread out age range.