A few years ago I had a group of 5 children between the ages of 11 months - 15 months. It was the best group of kiddies I have had. They were all basically in the same developmental stage, they played well together, they grew up together etc. The only problem I had was it was a bit hard on my back lifting them in and out of the play pens.

In the fall (unless there are changes) my group will be a just turned 3yr old, 2 1/2 yr old, 17 month old, 12 month old, and an 11 month old. Like playfelt I only accept infant/toddlers.

My daycare isn't set up like a large play pen, but I love the description, lol. Instead I have separate rooms that are all connected in an L shape with half walls, for different skills or ages. I have 3 main rooms to my daycare, the gross motor area for running, jumping, dancing, riding toys, the basketball net etc, a fine motor area for more sit down play, playing with the trucks, the house, the dramatic centre, duplo, etc. I also have the learning room which is more geared towards toddlers and preschoolers. It is their special area they can go to play with smaller toys, the rice table, felt stories, colour, read books, etc. Maybe the caregivers set up might help dictate what age group or groups would work best.

I just know for me, I would rather have 5 infants or 5 toddlers or 5 preschoolers vs having a mixed aged group. For whatever reason I don't work well with a mixed age group.