When Opening A Childrens Nursery, What Age Groups Would You Cater For, And Why?

Question

Coursework.

Just Extra Ideas!

Thanks x

Answer 1

the one i worked in catered for babies from a few months old up to 14 as they did a breakfast and after school club

Answer 2

0-5 years

to ensure all families needs in the area are covered.

I would also offer before and after school cover as well as cover in the holidays for children up to the age of 11years. This would ensure that the parents have opportunity to continue working knowing their children are in a safe secure environment

Answer 3

I have worked with children aged 3mths-5yrs. I think that 3mths-school age would be the best age group to open a nursery with as it would be a children's nursery and after school club, and  you can are then catering for a wide age group. It enables children's and there siblings to attend and is more convenient for parents, as they know there children are safe, especially if you run a after school walking bus service from local schools to the setting. Nursery's are usually open from 7-7 Mon-Fri therefore will be much more convenient for all parents in the community, no matter what there children's ages are.

Answer 4

i want to work with 4-5. because next year i will dealing with them.

Answer 5

Two-to-six and of course, potty-trained.  This age group is fun and teachable, very little smart mouth, willing to learn.  Under two is a lot of one-to-one holding, changing diapers, food allergy problems, etc.  Two and up you can talk to and they understand. Over six you encounter a lot more problem children because so many children have been mistreated, abused, product of split homes, etc. and they act out because of it.

Answer 6

6 weeks to 14 years was the age range my daughters nursery advertised they catered for but most of the children were 3 months to 11 years who actually used the facilities.

With parents having/needing  to work there is a need for child care . a new baby needs to get bonded with its mother and build up immunity  to illnesses so 6 weeks is early enough to have to leave your child and by the time a child has reached 12-13 they do not want to be "looked after" they have friends and school clubs and activities they want to follow. So these seem about the right ages to cater for.

The age group I would like to work with are the babies they develop so many skills ina very short time and you get the privilage of seeing them reach milestones.

Answer 7

I agree that it definitely depends on the need of your community.  how big is the area and what is already offered. i live in a community of around 60,000 and the center where i work is the only one that accepts infants and toddlers and the waiting list is over a year.  so, if i were to  open a center it would be smart of me to include infants and toddlers because there is a strong need for this service.  most communities would probably be supportive of a center that went from infants through kindergarten (like where i work) because they could offer their children consistency from infancy through age 5/6.  Another need in many communities is after school care.  if you had a center that could transport children from school to daycare parents would mostly welcome and pay for that service.

Answer 8

It is usually 3 mths to 5 years for diversity in ability and needs. It creates a comunity feel with such a group. +Iwould personally mainly cater for 3-5 year olds as from a business point of view you make more money from them due to larger ratios allowed

Answer 9

Depends:

If it was a day nursery I'd say 3months-5 years-better custom and more likely to be financially viable.

But have separate rooms and areas that are suitable for age groups such as "babys and crawlers", "toddlers" and pre-school. That way health and safety can be improved.

You may find some chidlren of 3+ are only half days-as a lot go to nursery schools or preschool as they offer 2 and a half hours a day for free, and some parents see them as more "educational".

Answer 10

Find out what your community needs. Perhaps there is something like a Day Care Council or Child Care Council in your area. With more and more public schools offering pre-kindergarten that might not be the best place to start. Infant and Toddler care is often in short supply. It may be more expensive to do but you can charge more. If you start the kids out young and the parents are happy they may be less likely to pull them out when they are 4.

    I'm disturbed by the suggestions that you move infants from room to room every few months. The most important thing in good infant care is having the baby form a warm, loving and consist ant relationship with an adult for as long as possible. It's easier on the staff if all the babies are the same age but it is terrible for the babies. Go naeyc.org and look through their resources for good books on infants and toddlers.

    A little off the subject, I know, but this is really important.

Answer 11

Probably would depend on your goals.  If your goal is to serve your community's needs, you might want to research the community to see where the biggest needs exist.  If your goal is to make a little more money, you would want to serve preschool and school age kids since the child/adult ratio is a little lower and you can effectively teach and care for more children with fewer paid staff.  If your goal is personal satisfaction, you would want to choose whatever age group you find most rewarding to work with.  For me that would be 3 - 5 year olds, but that might be different for other adults.

Answer 12

I would open a huge center that caters children 4 weeks- all the way up to age 12 years old.

I would break the center up into buildings

Infant Center-

4 weeks-3 months old- Room A

3 months-6 months old- Room B

6 months-9 months old- Room C

9 months-12 months old- Room D

These rooms would be open to one another by half doors  so you can still be open to visit with one another, but have quiet time

Toddler Center

12 months-15 months Old- Room E

15 months-18 months Old- Room F

18 months-21 months Old- Room G

21 months- 2 years Old- Room H

2 Years Old- Room I

3 Years Old- Room J

4 Years Old- Room K

Kindergarten Program for Children 5-6 Years Old

Afterschool Care Program

Kindergarten-3rd Grade

4th-6th Grade

There is a real need for a good quality program that offers something for every age. We have a lot of large families out there that want place for all their children to go.

I also like the idea of splitting up the infants according to development stages. Nothing is worse than trying to care for a small infant that sleeps most fo the day and trying to care for an infant that is crawling or walking all over the small ones. They need to be seperated for safety reasons too.

I would charge more than a normal center, but think of the advantages of having lower ratios and more room and individual care for their children.

Infants ratios would be 1:2 infants ages 4 weeks-12 months

12 months-2 would be 1:3

2 years old 1:4

3 years old 1:6

4 years old 1:6

Kindergarten program 1:8

Afterschool Program would have 1:8

Center would be open from 5:30am to 6:30 pm. This is to allow plenty of time for commuters since we live in a commuter city.

I would hire on GrandMothers expecially for the Infant Center.

I would also work with the local colleges to allow Students to come in and work with the older children for an internship and course credits.

For the main Teachers I would require all Units plus interest in going to school for further education.

Fulltime Cook and maintenance people- aids to work for Teachers in each room regardless of ratio to help prepare all the extras that the Tecaher needs.

Answer 13

I would do three months to a year. That is what most childcare centers around here do. Babies  under three months can be a bit tough, and once a child hits one its hard to keep them together in the same room.