WWYD/ What should I do? Eeks

[bright sparks]

So within the Ontario Day Nursery act we can only have 5 children plus our own at one time, and I understand that if theres a little overlap you may consider whether this is a risk worth taking incase you are found out and get in trouble. Each to their own in this scenario, although I do believe their are rules in place for a reason. I also know that in Alberta you are allowed 6 so Its not a factor of whether one more child is to many or not just the individual provinces have different guidelines.

What I want to say that is WAY more important than this rule, is INSURANCE!! There are but a handful(if that) Insurance companies in Ontario who will allow 5 plus your own to be insured so the chances are your 9 year old would not be insured. I flat out say don't do it. If ANYTHING happens, you are screwed. You would be ruined if that parent took legal action, or even slandered your name around your neighbourhood.

[daycaremum]

I would do it. I just would. The extra kid would only be there for 1-2 hours a handful of days per month. Plus the other little kid will be going on mat leave shortly anyways, so it is a short term thing. I would do it. Now if you were talking about being over by 2 or more kids all day every day, then I wouldn't do it.

You see, the threat of being reported means nothing to me. There are tons of 'providers' who are over all the time and are never reported. Also, the ones that I know that have been reported (and a few times too mind you) have been visited and told to let go of some kids and that's it. They are still in business. No fine, no getting closed down. And some continue to take in more than 5 kids.
Also, as far as insurance, I live in a small town, so if something big ever happened that I needed to make an insurance claim for, I would be out of business anyways because word travels fast around here.

And if anyone can prove to me a case of a home childcare worker successfully being sued by a client, I'd like to see that. Now if a kid died or something like that, that's pretty extreme, and your name is mud anyways, forget about being over in numbers and your insurance not covering you for liability. Plus, I think my insurance company would take my word for it that I only had 5 kids at the time. (Since I'd only be over by one for a couple hours)

[mustbenuts]

I know in my heart what is the right thing to do but I am so bad at making decisions or delivering bad news. I am more of a people pleaser Aahhhhhhh. Telling them no because of the 9 year old will also break my heart because I know this 9 yr old quite well and she is a sweetheart. I know she told her mom she only wants to come to my daycare.

When it rains it pours I tell ya.

Don't do it just to please the family. You telling them no because it is against the law should actually be seen as a positive by families in your care. Make your decision based on what is best for YOU and your business.

[Spixie33]

Yes I am in Ontario.

The 9 year old will turn 10 in October 2013 So she would count in numbers for quite a while.

The mother works in the school so I am not worried about March break, sumerm vacay etc because she has those off. She also said that she would not need PD days.

Believe me I would never even consider this if it wasn't so frustrating because it really comes down to a potential overlap that is possibly a few minutes - 1 hour maximum.

I do have another dck who is picked up between 3 - 4 p.m. so I may ask her parents if it is okay for them to commit closer to 3 from Jan/March - June of next year. I like that suggestion. Of course I can't force them to come earlier but I can implore them. If she was picked up at 3 or 3:15 then I wouldn't even have an issue. It is just that her parents are not consistent and can pick up anywhere between that 3-4 o'clock hour and that is the whole issue. It has never been an issue but now it makes for a fine kettle of fish.

So far I am going ahead and signing a contract this week with the parents of the 17 month old. I am going to keep things on track for the 1 year old for Jan/March too and just stay positive that somehow I can work out the timing. Positive thoughts.

KIDLOVE - Being a people pleaser is not easy. Since one of the families is a good acquaintance that I see OFTEN (the one with the 2 children) and the other is a high and glowing recommendation from one of my fav daycare families - I feel bad saying no to either and then seeing them all the time.

I really wouldn't even consider if it was a full day or a half day but it is a matter of minutes and probably less than an hour on only half a month until June.

In the summer - the mother of the 2 will be off bringing my numbers down and then in Sept I have 2 spots opening when children go off to school so I wouldn't have that issue.

I like the idea that these two young kids would also keep me going in Sept when the others go off to school.

I love all the advice and viewpoints and I think you are all right in your own ways and everyone makes an excellent case. Thanks

I am just going to play this by ear and take on the one new family first then see what plays out with family 2 and then maybe discuss pick up times with my existing families if it is still an issue. I guess the family with the 2 girls has a couple of more months for things to work out.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Sending you positive vibes that a solution that works for everyone presents itself!

[playfelt]

Many years ago I had an issue with numbers and a complaint to the ministry. When they spoke to me they said it went by contracted hours and if one parent was supposed to come at 3pm but didn't show up till 3:20 that wasn't my problem so I was free to go by the contracted hours of one done at 3 and one starting at 3. Back then of course they weren't so hard by the books and common sense reigned more with the idea of the potential overlap wasn't considered a big deal. Now of course insurance would use that as a loophole for sure.

[kidlove]

In all honesty...I would do it too...IF it was only for a matter of minutes. Me being a people pleaser def comes into play in a situation like this, and like the last poster said, if you are contracted for a specific pick up time and the parent shows up late, putting you over...there is nothing you could do anyway. I would def ask the 3pm pick up parent IF they could try and make it a touch early for the rest of the month or whatever you need and try and accomidate both families. That's just me though......I consider myself to be a pretty big "follow the rules" person, but when it comes to one time emergencies, or a matter of minutes, I am always willing to bend the rules a touch for my clients. That's what keeps them coming back sometimes. I would never go beyond my own personal limits, but I would do it, IF it only put me over for a little part of the day. My honest opinion. Couldn't you ask the late drop parents if they could stretch an extra 15 minutes later drop each day until your numbers go down?