Thinking of making a change

Moms View Message Board: General Discussion Archive: Archive February 2006: Thinking of making a change

I'm thinking of taking only morning preschool and kindergarteners next year (2006-2007 school year). While I do love having the babies around (gotta get my baby fix!) it's starting to wear on me. With only k and pre-k kids, I'd drop kids off at school at 8:25 and pick up at 11:15-11:30. (kindergarten is M-F from 8:30-11:30 and pre-k is M-Th from 8:30-11:15). I'd have a few free hours every day (except Friday). Before getting married and having kids my goal had always been to become a teacher in early elementary. I'd be looking at taking 4-5 kids. What do you think the pros and cons would be? There's a huge need for before and after care for this group because the school only provides before and after care for full day schoolers and they do NOT have bussing for mid-day. I would have to drop at least two of the kids I have now (the 5mo and 16mo). The other two may be in preschool next year and their parents could get them in at the school I'd be transporting to/from. I can see having ages from 3-6 (they take 3yo in pre-k here). I'm trying to decide if I really want to try this or if I'm just going through a winter slump with my kiddos. lol I wouldn't do anything until probably April or May about this anyway, but I'm a planner and want to see what I could do with plenty of time. I guess if I did this for a year and didn't like it I could always go back to younger kids next year. There are plenty of under 2yo kids that need care in my area (I get calls almost every week). So what do you think? TIA

By Debbie on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 09:17 am:

I think it sounds like you are overwhelmed, otherwise you wouldn't even be thinking about it. That tells me, that it is time for a change. I would try it and see how it works. Like you said, if you want to go back to younger kids, there is always a need. It sounds like it would be easy to do.

By Cat on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 09:40 am:

Thanx for the vote of confidence, Debbie. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed lately (as you know!), but don't want to make any drastic changes if it's just a seasonal thing (whether it be season of the year or just a season in my life). But like I said, even if it's only a year it may be good for me. It'd be neat working with that particular age group for a year. There's so much I can do with that age that I can't do with the younger ones or even do with that age if younger ones are present. Like now, I have a 4yo and there are lots of things she can't do with the little ones here. We have to wait until they're asleep or gone to bring out the toys with tiny pieces or do certain activities. I look forward to other people's thoughts.

By Babysitbarb on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 09:40 am:

Trust me Cat I can relate big time. I watch three under the age of 1 plus 6other toddlers under the age of 5 and Im really starting to get overwhelmed. Potty training here has been a night mare and I get more frustarted with the parents then the kids. I have one who is going to be 3 next month. Yesterday mom didn't bring any extra clothes(which means I have to use my stuff) and she wetted herself first thing. Today she brings her in a diaper and bibs and says I figured you'll have to help her get her bibs undone anyways.So what does this ahve to do with putting undies and not a diaper? I also have one who has running bowels often and this mother never sends extra clothes. I just wnat to tell these parents were did you get your brain?

By Conni on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 09:50 am:

Cat, I LOVE your idea and think it sounds very doable. I think you should go for it!

I absolutely LOVE PreK and K age children! This is the age I wish I could have frozen my children at. lol However now that I have a middle schooler and jr high kid, I am finding that I really love this age as well!! So *if* I were a teacher, I would want to teach PreK/K or 6th/7th or 8th grade. lol

I think you deserve some type of break in your day too Cat! Give it a try.

By Cat on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 10:33 am:

Ugh, Barb, I HATE potty training. The mom of the 2 1/2yo I have said she's going to start with him after spring break. I'm not looking forward to that. I also hate when they bring them in bibs--especially when there aren't snaps. And I can totally relate to wanting to tell parents to get a brain! lol Not having to deal with (or store!) diapers would be a huge pro.

Gosh, Conni. There's a HUGE difference with pre-k/k kids and middle school kids! lol It is wierd, though. I taught a middle school/pre-teen class at church for a while last year (stopped because of lack of kids--only 3, two of them mine!). Funny how we have the same interests. Kinda scarey, too! rofl

Still looking for pros and cons. I'm really liking the idea, though.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:12 am:

So, the kids are potty-training and then they put them in clothes that are hard to get up and down? *rolls eyes!*

I always had to have extra clothes at the daycare, when Sarah was little. She was the queen of the blowouts! LOL! (everyday around 11:30am!)

I don't blame you for wanting the prek and K kids. Those are fun kids because they can talk and you can do more stuff with them! I love reading books and asking questions. Those kids would be old enough to answer the questions!

By Tink on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:51 am:

I think you've got a pretty good idea of the pro's to this. Cons? Do you have any families with preschool or kindy children and infants? Will they be willing to have two different childcare providers, if you do? You won't get your baby fix...um, that's all I can come up with as far as drawbacks. Three, four and five year olds are my favorite ages. So much fun! I've had a child at home for the last eight years and this is the first year I've had all three in school and I LOVE having my mornings free to do what I want. I think it sounds like a great idea and I'll admit that, as a parent, I'd be more inclined to use a provider that specialized in my child's age group. Good luck!

By Cat on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 12:24 pm:

Thanx for the input, Cori. It's actually pretty common for people to have different child care providers for their kids out here. We're about 10 miles outside of Colorado Springs and a lot of people commute. So they have to find care for their school age children, but take their younger kids to somewhere closer to their work. We don't have a child care center out here (I'm not going to open one!!! lol). Not getting my baby fix is a concern. I'm way beyond wanting another one now, though. Getting all new families is another concern. It's nice when families have been with me for a while because we know each other and each other's expectations so well. I have three families right now. The 5mo is the newest and he's been here for 3 months. The 16mo and 2 1/2yo have both been with me since they were each 2mo. The 4yo has been with me for 1 1/2 years. The 2 1/2yo and 4yo may be going to preschool next year. Dh doesn't want me to keep the 2 1/2yo, though. He's extremely high maintainance and dh can't stand him. He's also special needs (speech and some other things his parents are dragging their feet on getting help for--this kid needs OT for sensory issues) which in and of itself isn't bad (have one of those myself) but put in parents in denial and one that doesn't like to respect my rules and it gets really old. I also think having a few hours each morning, minus Fridays, delay starts and snow days, may help keep my stress level down. Dh doesn't care what I do as long as I make enough $ to cover the mortagage (what I've done for the past 3 1/2 years). It is appealing to work with one age group, too.

It's funny. I posted this here and on a daycare provider board just this morning and a little while ago another provider called me to ask me a question. I told her I was thinking about doing this and she said it's what she's done for years and just in the past few months has taken on a couple of infants. She said she loved having only preschool age kids!!! The only bad thing she had to say about it was having to be on a tighter schedule because of having to drop kids off (hers were all afternoon school). I have thought about that but I did it last year when I did transport two kindergarteners every day so I know what I'm getting into there. The biggest pain about that then was loading up all the younger kids and then they'd want to fall asleep in the car before lunch. That was a real pain. I wouldn't have that problem with only that age, though. I've got lots of time to consider this. I wouldn't even work on getting the kids until probably April (not sure when registration is). I'd let my current families know about that time, too. I like having lots of time to plan. Maybe get in a few classes for that specific age.

By Beth on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 01:08 pm:

While I do think it sounds great for you. I am sure your parents are going to hate having to find a new provider. Especially if you have been with these kids for a long time. I know that you have already thought of this and really you have to do what is best for you. I guess I am just rembering back when I tried daycare with my first, it was a nightmare. I finally found a good one, then she decided she didn't want to do infants with my second. I would not go throught that again and I started working opposite shifts. Again I am sure to that you will handle it with tact. My provider that I loved while watching my son, did not handle it gracefully. She waited until after my daughter was born and then left a note on my door when she knew I would be at church. Just another perspective.

By Cat on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 02:10 pm:

Oh, Beth. How horrible of her to do that! I'd never leave a note on someone's door. While I really do NOT like confrontation, it's part of the business sometimes that can't be avoided. Like I said, two of the four I have may end up staying. The parents of the 5mo I have are willing to put him in the center (on base). They went with me because there was a waiting list there and stayed with me because I'm more convienent and they like me. I would miss the 16mo a LOT! But if I keep her brother I would get to see her often. Her parents shouldn't have too much trouble finding someone for her, and they do have family in town that would help out if needed. Kindergarten registration is March 16th and preschool registration will be some time in April (no date set yet). I would let my parents know probably the beginning of April so they could plan accordinally. I know it may be hard for them. They'll manage. They always do.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea. Dh has even agreed to let me put a big playground in the back yard of our new house. Our kids are getting a little big for one, but Robin still loves to swing and they both love to climb so they will still use it. It will also help with our landscaping (here, if it's alive and you don't water it, it WILL die--pea gravel doesn't need to be watered!). I will have to get some supplies--toys and such for older kids. I have lots of puzzles and arts and crafts stuff. I will store all my younger kid's toys so if I do decide to go back to the littler ones I won't have to replace things. I have to say, I'm pretty excited about this. I have no doubt I will fill all 4 or 5 spots within a few weeks of announcing them. The school here is pretty big and the need is great. I also found out they've made preschool the same hours as kindergarten (8:30-11:30 instead of 11:15) so that would make pick-up easier. I'm looking forward to this.