Filling a spot

[Spixie33]

That's a tough one !

This is the great time of year where a lot of people are looking all the way through to September. Most people who are looking - need care for 1 year olds. There aren't many inquiries that come my way for anyone older and I usually get suspicious why anyone older is leaving their current daycare situation. In the back of my mind I always wonder whether the parents or child have been terminated elsewhere.

The other downside to accepting an older child is that they are often more set in their ways i.e nap schedules, food, behavioural. One of the only things I like about starting 1 year olds is that I can set them on our routine and mold them a bit to our routines. They don't have bad habits yet.

I do think that the the stroller situation stinks You have to take good care of yourself and your back. I ended off for three months because I needed emergency back surgery from the strain I put on it from daycare.

I have heard other daycare providers recommend pulling a small wagon behind you while you push the wagon. Personally I don't think that's a hot idea.

What about getting a choo choo wagon for the summer time or else invest in a quad Runabout. I got the Runabout after my surgery and it has made my life so much better. I wish I had gotten a Runabout when I started and maybe my back wouldn't have had to suffer so much. It is expensive but our bodies need to be taken care of. We are not pack mules I wish I would have made the investment sooner for the sake of my health.

The other thing to consider ( or I would) is whether you even want another DCK right now. Your own kids are pretty young and it looks like you would sometime have 7 kids (including your own). It can be exhausting to have that many little people to take care of. It may be a sanity saver to hope for a 3 or 4 year old.

[torontokids]

You have all given me a lot to think about.

Re: older kids and bad habits, I have been lucky with this and have started a number of 3+ yr olds without issue. I think if I can hold out until an older kid comes a long then if Bill 143 passes I would have an infant spot as one of my Sept openings rather then them being filled now (I have a 15 mos old currently).

The problem is, I met with 2 families with infants. Loved the first family and I think the kid would fit in easily, just not sure I should bite the bullet and take him or hold out and see.

Decisions, decisions...