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View Full Version : Who's Easier to Mind: under 5s or over 8s?



VINASOL
09-07-2010, 08:07 AM
having a bad day today :panic: and just wondered if CMs thought if it was easier looking after the younger ones or the older ones?

What do you think?:blush:

RedDragon
09-07-2010, 08:11 AM
I think the older ones are easier. I struggle with the 2-4 years old range.

Ali56
09-07-2010, 08:25 AM
I love them all! The over 8's are fab at entertaining themselves tho- I have a great bunch, all friends for ages and it doesn't matter what toys/activities i offer they mostly turn them down in favour of their own make believe games!
Love the under 5's to because they keep me busy! lol

Ali x:)

Ali56
09-07-2010, 08:28 AM
oops-i meant to add that i hope your day improves,:blush: i hate it when its a bad day.

Ali x

little chickee
09-07-2010, 08:29 AM
I prefer the under 5's - I find school age kids can be really hard work.

My 1st afterschooler was in my sons class at school and they had known each other since playgroup so i assumed that she would just join in with him playing outside etc but no - she wanted to sit and chat with me all the time or would come in and expect me to entertain her which i found very difficult.

It meant i had my oldest 2 boys playing outside, my youngest who was about 4 and a couple of toddlers to look after and a bored 7yo girl trailing after me.

I now only mind preschoolers.

Polly2
09-07-2010, 08:34 AM
Under fives for me!! they might still have a nap :laughing:

Stillgoingstrong
09-07-2010, 08:42 AM
I'd go for schoolies any time - sort of 4 up. :) :laughing:

Suzi
09-07-2010, 08:49 AM
I love all the age groups for different reasons, but I do particularly like the under 5s. Most of my early experience was with toddlers and pre-schoolers, so I'm still really fond of the 2-5 age group.

ruby
09-07-2010, 10:30 AM
under 5 for us the older ones can be hard work sometimes

cathy

Hebs
09-07-2010, 10:40 AM
under 4's or over 8/9

i think between the ages of 5 and 8 kids start to really push the boundries, more arguementitive

i have 4 kids here aged 9+ and they get along great can have a good laugh with them :D

suzyblue
09-07-2010, 10:50 AM
My over 8s are great but then I dont have them in the holidays!

doodles
09-07-2010, 11:48 AM
Under 5's deffo!! I have two 1 year olds and a 3 year old today. They have all just gone down for a nap.
My over 5 before and after schoolers are very demanding and cheeky!!!

MissTinkerbell
09-07-2010, 01:26 PM
Under 5s for me too - despite having been a teacher for 12 years but then thats probably why :laughing:

sandy64
09-07-2010, 01:38 PM
under 5s but 2 to 5 are the easiest ive had very good older kids but also hard work ones to. thats why i only do preschool now:)

moljak
09-07-2010, 02:55 PM
I'm an under 5 person.I like to be hands on and love the messy activities i can do with them.I feel left out when the older ones get on with things on their own lol.

karensmart4
09-07-2010, 10:37 PM
Under 5's for me :clapping:

merry
10-07-2010, 07:13 AM
I don't find either age group harder than the other, it's when you put them together I struggle. Either all under 5's, or all schoolagers are fine, but an age group ranging from 6 months to 10 years is a real challenge.

:)

TammyN
10-07-2010, 07:57 AM
I DO LIKE A BALANCE BUT IF I HAD TO CHOOSE IT WOULD BE UNDER 5'S :thumbsup:

Chatterbox Childcare
10-07-2010, 08:14 AM
I think that they all compliment each other and have their pros and cons. After all the over 5's don't sleep during the day but they do entertain themselves!

TheBTeam
10-07-2010, 09:52 AM
I quite like during holiday times to have over 5's, and during term time it is nice having the under 5's especially the ones that go home around school pick up time when the older ones come!

Shar
10-07-2010, 10:12 AM
My 2 B&E schoolies are lovely but argue and wind eachother up all the time at the moment. I feel like a referee!! I am thinking of giving notice to one of them soon, can't take the stress for a few £ per week.

Give me under 5's any day. Much easier and less demanding. :thumbsup:

Millenium
10-07-2010, 10:45 AM
I have only ever minded babies and toddlers up to 4. I love to see them starting to feed themselves, learning to crawl and walk etc.

mushpea
11-07-2010, 08:00 PM
I think it depends on the child,, I have had in the past a very demanding and hard work 4yrold yet now i have a 6yrold who is very easy going, well, when he's not winding up my son that is!
My son finds the over 5's the hardest to put up with especialy the 6yrold, sometimes they are fine and play lovley but then i can have some really hard work days when they clash and dont get on.
oh and they dont all sleep under 5yrs old,,, I have 2 2yrolds and a 3yrold that dont nap and a 18month old that does most days but they do all play lovley together.

daisyboo1980
11-07-2010, 08:28 PM
under 5's for me , when i come back off maternity leave ive decided not to take on after schoolers if i can but if not i wont be having any over 6 or 7 , had such problems with my last lots of after schoolers .

mumx3
14-07-2010, 12:01 PM
Under 5's without a doubt!

The Juggler
14-07-2010, 01:27 PM
Under 5's without a doubt!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: my dd (8)had me in (secret) tears this morning, the way she talks to me and then when I say 'it stops now' she turns her back on me when I try to discuss her behaviour. I then told her she had x to look and listen to me or she wouldn't go without xxx' she didn't and I told her that was it. The rest of the way to school she screamed I hate you at me. Joyful, especially nice (and hard to ignore) in front of the little ones but I kept my tears to myself.

This is a regular occurance. Give me 6 toddlers any day:(

clio0602
14-07-2010, 01:56 PM
I love 1 to 3 yr olds before they get cheeky!!! And older ones while they are at school lol. Have an extremely cheeky 6yo at mo who I am dreading picking up as he won't walk with me from school and LO's follow :(

amanda1309
14-07-2010, 02:01 PM
Under 5's for me. I find the older ones fight and are always wanting something or winding the little ones up

Bex1
15-07-2010, 07:38 AM
All mine are under 5 so I can only base my comments on this age! I do find they need so much attention as they have yet to grasp playing by themselves (especially the 2 yr olds) and so they are always looking to me to start a game, start a role play etc. Thankfully I have a DD who is a few weeks off turning 3 and she is fab at role play so she can start a role play situation and the others will go with her.

However its also nice because they all go for a nap at the same time so I have some peace for an hour or so :D

I find it harded to plan themes though with these little people because they are only with me one day a week and like familiarity and changing anything seems to upset their routine!

happy days
21-07-2010, 03:39 PM
under 5 or over 8 def, 6 and 7 yr olds tend to squabble or be into themselves too much!

Tribe_mummy
21-07-2010, 04:43 PM
Hard choice from past experience! Over 8s like their independance and want to do what they want to do, some even feel like they don't need looking after!!

Under 5's take a lot more attention and are easier to encourage to do things, however I do find them the most enjoyable :) x