Question about older children

[AmandaKDT]

A mom just called me for before and after school for her 11yo girl. At the beginning I was not sure about it and I told her that I only have kids under 3yo currently and that the girl would be bored since all the activities are focused on younger children here. She almost begged me to consider her and she also told me the girl is very well behaved and know how to entertain herself and that she would be doing her stuff, like homework in the afternoon. We set a meeting on Monday so I can meet the girl outside daycare hours and if everything looks ok I would like to set another meeting during daycare hours and see how is she with the others

I still have some doubts about it:
1. I have never have a kid that old under my care, for the ones who have could you let me know some pros and cons

2. I already have enrolled 5 kids, so I am at full capacity (in Ontario). However, I think I saw somewhere that kids over 10 years old don't count in the numbers. I could not find an official statement from a government website about it. Do any of you have any official source stating this that you can share?

If everything looks ok with the girl and it's still legal to have her on top of the other 5 it would be great since it would be nice to have older children enrolled in case of Bill 143 becomes a law with its current age restrictions.

If it is only before and after school then there probably wouldn't be much time for her to get bored. I had my 11 year old niece come for a few full days last summer and she had a fine time playing with the little ones. If she is well behaved then it will probably be fine. Just ask her the kinds of things she likes to do and make sure you have some stuff around if she looks bored - most likely some paper and markers will keep her busy.

Why can't she walk to and from the bus herself? She is more than old enough. You could take her a few times there and back to make sure she knows the way and is clear on safety rules.

I might also make it so that the parent provides the snacks and then it is not your responsibility to worry about how much she eats. I have an 8 year old that always eats her snacks at school, and almost never has anything to eat when she gets here after school. Her mom knows this and is fine with me only giving her a glass of water if she says she is hungry - I don't provide any snacks. The mom is trying to teach her responsibility and to spread her food throughout the day, she is sent with more than enough food for the day.

I don't know if I have had good kids so far, but I haven't really had any issues with older kids. Maybe it was because I used to be a teacher and know how to nip any attitude problems in the bud, but I haven't really had any problems with the age range of 1.5 to 8 years old that I have right now.

[Artsand crafts]

I don't know if I have had good kids so far, but I haven't really had any issues with older kids. Maybe it was because I used to be a teacher and know how to nip any attitude problems in the bud, but I haven't really had any problems with the age range of 1.5 to 8 years old that I have right now.

I think I have everything under control for under 5 yo that are the ages I have experience with. No major behavioral issues. Any tips for older kids' attitude.

[AmandaKDT]

I think I have everything under control for under 5 yo that are the ages I have experience with. No major behavioral issues. Any tips for older kids' attitude.

I guess I just don't let them get away with anything and always expect good manners towards myself and the other kids. It really isn't much different than how you would deal with a 5 year old, except that you can set your expectations even higher. I will remind them to say please and thank you if they don't say it. If I notice that something hasn't been done (like clearing their plates away from the table), then I call them back to come clean it up. It doesn't take long for them to get into the routine and know your rules. I rarely raise my voice, but I am firm and consistent with my expectations and will deal out consequences if needed.

I also do the "either, or" if I get attitude. Either you clean up after yourself, or next time you won't get to participate at all. Either you stop throwing snow balls or you'll be shoveling my sidewalk for the rest of the week.

I worked with a teacher once who said her strategy was to be a *itch (rhymes with witch) the first month or two of school (in terms of being super strict with her rules and expectations - not just a meany for no reason), then spend the rest of the school year being a fun teacher because she had the set the ground work and the kids knew how to behave.

But if it is true that this girl is well behaved then you will likely have no problem. Just don't be afraid to call her on her behaviour if you don't like what she is doing. That is the nice thing about working with older kids, you can have an actual conversation with them.