There are other threads on this issue on the forum and what it comes down to is experience for the most part. I am a mom to 4 and what most of the parents that have come to me appreciate is that that comes with experience of knowing what is normal for different age groups and the ability to recognize when a child is about to walk and what proofing steps to take. I know that is not instinct. Also a person that juggles 4 kids after hours and weekends and is doing it anyways - meal and activity planning for multiples, scheduling for a variety of age groups can much easier add another one to the mix than a woman with no kids that suddenly decides they want to open a daycare and just take in five kids and hope for the best. Even taking courses such as ECE is not really the real world is much is based on books and while there is some practicum it doesn't include being alone with all the kids.

Also when a mom has her own children unless she had a couple sets of close in age twins/triplets her own kids are spread out age wise the more she has meaning the older ones are helpful and already know about not leaving stuff out because of babies so it is a help not a hindrance. This would not be the case if you took in an older child for care that did not have younger siblings.