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In-home DCP - too many kids or normal?

*sparky**sparky* member
in Working Moms

I looked at an In-home DCP and while I really liked her, she is convenient, she is licensed and has been doing this for 15 years, and she had good references, I am having some reservations.  I never went the in-home route with DS, so this is somewhat new to me.  She has an average size home, and the playroom she has for the kids is her dining room.  I would say it is about a 12 x 12 room. 

They pretty much stay in there, except at lunch time, when they go into the kitchen.  She does take them outside when the weather allows.  She will have 2 infants (both under 6 months, one of which will be mine), 3 2-yr-olds, a 4-yr-old and a 5-yr-old.  The 4 and 5 year old are not there every day, and during the school year will be there only before and after school.  2 of the 2-yr-olds only come 2 days/week.  So some days she may only have the 2 infants and one 2-yr-old.  Other days she will have all 7 kids.  My LO will be there 3 - 4 days/week.

So does this seem like a lot or is it pretty normal?  It seems to be the norm for in-homes near me, although her space is a little smaller than some of the others I have seen.  Would you have reservations?

She has no infant gear - swings, bouncers, etc. - but said I can bring something if I want and it would just be for my LO.  The babies do nap upstairs in PNPs, which she has.

 

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Re: In-home DCP - too many kids or normal?

  • *sparky**sparky* member
    2 of the 2-yr-olds are twins and are about 2.5.  They are only there 2 days/week.  The 3rd 2-yr-old just turned 2 and the DCP is still working on getting her out of the PNP for naps and onto a mat in the playroom.

     

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  • vvvvvfeevvvvvfee member
    that (unfortunately) sounds pretty typical to me-- you might want to check what your state regulations are, but in my state in-home providers can watch up to 6 kids not in school full-time plus up to 3 more kids who are in school full-time during the school year. only 2 of the kids can be under 2, though. if they are watching more than 2 kids under 2, they have to have an assistant.

    the first in-home daycare that my DS went to was very much like what you described- he was the only baby when he started, but there was a 15-month old, and 4 2-year-olds. but there were also older "graduates" of her daycare that were there for care on a rotating basis. yeah, it does seem like a lot to handle for one person, but somehow our DCP did it.

    my only hesitation with your situation is that there is going to be another young baby. that might be tough to juggle with all the other kids. but, i don't think it's a deal-breaker. i think the references are really important. if you haven't already, try to get a list of people whose kids are currently attending and give them a call- then you will get an honest impression of what things are like there.
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  • *sparky**sparky* member

    Sorry - was in a meeting...

    @kdc2007 - no downstairs or other play area

    @vvvvvfee - she is within state regulations. 

     

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  • Virgo17Virgo17 member
    I guess it is doable, but that sounds like an awfully small space for the number of kids.  Also, what would be her plan if you do not provide baby equipment?  Do they spend all day on the floor?  Does she have monitors on the babies napping upstairs?  I think I would be a little hesitant, but if you like her and get a good vibe then you could try it out.
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  • *sparky**sparky* member
    @Virgo17 - I guess she manages without it.  She does have one high chair, and she has 2 PNPs for naps.  On the bright side, she is not planning to just plop the babies into swings, etc. and let them sit, but on the other hand with 2 infants and 3 2-yr-olds running around, it seems like you may need to contain the babies at some point.  She did not have a monitor when I met with her and she had one kid sleeping upstairs, but I think she could hear a baby crying - her first floor is very open and I think she could hear what was going on upstairs.  The other thing is, with putting two babies down for naps upstairs I am not sure what she does with the 2-year-olds who would be on the loose downstairs while she is getting the babies down.

     

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  • 88sharonlee88sharonlee member
    Not sure what your state req are but my DCP mentioned that all babies in her care have to nap in the same room she is in until at least 6 months old, then she can let them nap in another room.

    She said it was a rule - maybe for SIDS? So I would check on that because I might be a little nervous about having infants on another floor alone.

    That aside, if she's been doing this for 15 years, has good references and is following state guidelines etc I think your OK.
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  • scrappingcatscrappingcat member
    The numbers sound fine and the fact that she has been doing this for 15 years means she probably has a good established routine and manages just fine.  I do think it's a little odd that there is no baby gear.  What does she do with the babies if one of the other kids needs attention?  Our DCP uses the jumpers to attend to the older kids, help with projects, make lunch, ect.  She does a good amount of floor time as well but it seems odd that she would prefer to plop them in a PNP.  
    The space you're describing sounds a little small as well.  Our DCP has main play area downstairs but they are upstairs part of the day, outside, ect as well.
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  • jesuisfatigueejesuisfatiguee member

    What makes me most uncomfortable is 2 babies under 6 months as being part of 7 kids.




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  • northtamaracknorthtamarack member
    I think the numbers sound fine.  

    I am more alarmed at the sleeping situation.  Perhaps this is just my state - I know our DCP has to either keep DS within her sight when he is napping OR she must check on him every 10 minutes.  Even though our DCP checks on him every 10 minutes, she still has a monitor.  I wouldn't want my baby to cry for an extended period of time just because she was engaging the other kids.  

    Also, I find it very, very odd that she has no baby gear.  While her intent might be good (to stimulate babies) one also has to be realistic.  She can't hold both babies and engage the other kids at all times.  

    As others have said, I really look into her references and then make a decision.  


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  • Maybride2Maybride2 member
    Personally, I would not be comfortable with that set up.
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  • *sparky**sparky* member
    Thanks everyone. I think based on my reservations and some of the things brought up here I will keep looking. I am just not comfortable with a few of the things in her set up although she does seem very competent. I don't like her having two babies upstairs while she has three two-year-olds downstairs and then I am thinking what does she do with the 2-yr-olds when she goes up to put the babies down for a nap.

     

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  • snicksnacksnicksnack member
    I think you are okay.  When looking at home daycares ask to see their Lic. paperwork.  I have looked at some that were good up to 8 kids and others were 6.  Most have told me to come by during the day if I want to see how things run.  I only looked at one I would go with she was great and had a good routine.  Also, here sister had an in-home down the street and they did things together and served as backup if god forbid something happened during the day. 
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