Since your daughter is there I see no problem with the two year old feeling left out. If they are not able to play with her then developmentally they will do just fine with those younger than themselves. Really at this stage I am finding they all pretty much play with the same toys just in slightly different ways without even realizing they are doing it. I am always so much happier when I start a one year old than someone coming from another daycare or worse yet coming from home with no group experience. With a little encouragement the 13 month old will be up to the level of the 15-16 month olds very soon and in the meantime they likely nap in the morning so it is like getting paid but not having to include them as in just carrying on like you are now.

The advantage of the part time is that two of them pay more than a full time space if both kids settle in as some don't do well with too few days. Also realize if it annoys one of your moms on mat leave and she leaves care that solves the other part time space leaving you a full time to fill.

For sure on the 2 year old is knowing why child doesn't need care till then. I have an interview coming up for a little girl who will be about 20 months when she would start in Feb because mom took extra time off to enjoy her. She does have two older brothers in school and the one that referred them say she is well adjusted so we shall see. They are neighbours and friends of one of my current families and friends with a previous family I cared for so I come recommended. I have two moms going on mat leave in 2014 too - One Jan and one April so we are working around those for starting the child if it works out.

You will have to look at the amount of lost income from now to Jan but realize if you don't fill the other part time days you would soon make up the loss with the FT starting in Jan. Make sure the mom is not pregnant and current provider is giving her notice for Dec so she can start a new one rather than wait for mom to go on mat leave. Have had that scenario before as in saved a space for a child for 3 months only to find out when child started that mom was now showing and only needed care for 6 months.