Opinions from moms of 3-5 year olds PLEASE?

Question

I have been thinking about starting a day camp for 3-5 year olds, as like a preschool/kindergarten prep. It will be a one week camp, and more than likely held at a park (a park with a large pavillion in case of rain and bathrooms) if I can get a city permit. The only thing is, I am only 17, so I don't know if parents would trust me enough to have the camp. I do have CPR certification, including infant CPR, basic first aid training, and also 5+ years of childcare experience. I would be doing this camp with the help of at LEAST 3 other people helping me, and would hopefully have 10-15 campers. The other people that would be helping me would be one other teenager (13, but she has three younger siblings that she has been watching for 4+ years) and two junior counselors who are 10. I am hoping to hear from some moms or dads with children in this age bracket. If you want more information to give me your thoughts, feel free to email me!

Thanks so much,

Danielle

Answer 1

First of all that isnt even legal.....you have to be 18 to get a permit to run a daycare, which is what this is....and the 10 yr. olds would be catagorized as students along with all the toddlers....sorry but unless you have a few adults there at all times....I would never leave my kids with a bunch of KIDS.........how can you get a permit for pretty much a daycare, with a 17 yr old a 13 yr. old and two 10 yr. olds... I AM PRETTY SURE YOU NEED TO BE AN ADULT TO RUN A DAY CARE/CAMP......sorry but you will need to find some experienced adults to work with you..... sorry to be harsh , but if you want a mature job, then you need to get some mature people to help you...not more kids....

Answer 2

im not sure about a 3 yr old but it would b more likely 4 mybe 5,6,7 yr olds

Answer 3

Yea I have to agree i doubt you would be able to get a permit being so young and I don't think I could leave my 5 yr old with someone so young and def. couldn't if she were only 3. I know young people can and most are very responsible as I babysat from the time I was 10 on and had my oldest daughter when I was 16 and raised her myself. I still just couldn't trust other kids with my children's lives especially not in a public place.

Answer 4

To be honest, I probably wouldn't leave my kids with a group of supervisors that young.  I would want at least one adult in the group.   Try and get a qualified adult involved and you will probably have much better luck.

Answer 5

I have a son who just turned five and I wouldn't leave him at that day camp. Your helpers are just too young to have that many little kids. I think if you got a few more adults then it might be a possiblity.

Answer 6

Absolutely not. I know my kid and if others are anything like him y'all would never be able to handle it. Plus a 10 year old come on. Yeah your 17 but... no. Try it in about 10 years it's not going to work right now.

Answer 7

This is a wonderful idea. I would be very careful. 10 to 15 kids are a lot. You need an adult involved. I don't doubt that you would be very good at providing care for the kids, I would prefer if there was an adult as your supervisor and you supervise the other helpers. This is a big responsibility. Please take all things into consideration. You will be running this show. You are in charge. Please be as Detail Orient as you can be.

Answer 8

I would not leave my 3 1/2 year old son with anyone that young unless I personally knew them. I am 18 and I doubt you could keep ten to fifteen 3-5 year olds happy with only4-6 people...I would definately NOT do this though.

Answer 9

Well, I think it's a decent idea. I trust 17 year olds, and you sound like an enterprising person. But my big question is, what would be so great about your camp? Why would I want to send my daughter there? What kind of things will you be teaching her? Why are your activities going to be worthwhile or different from just like a regular daycare? What's she going get out of it?

That kind of thing. If it was just like... crafts, playing on the playground, I probably wouldn't send her. But if you had an interesting angle and a lot of interesting activities that I couldn't find elsewhere, I'd be more interested.

Age isn't an issue for me. I know some teenagers who are more responsible than adults twice their age. If you are thinking about doing this sort of thing, I'll presume you're one of those teens.

Answer 10

I would have a really big problem leaving my children with a 17 year old that I  didn't know. Much less for a camp. If something were to happen, I'm not sure if a 13 year old or a 17 year old would be able to handle any medical problems that may arise.