WWYD/ What should I do? Eeks

[kidlove]

is there no way to move some pick up times around a bit in order to fit all children? I have had to do that before and it worked out, just depends on you other kids pick up times. I understand your delema have been there before...I have had kids over by 10-15 minutes due to early drop or late pick ups, IMO, sometimes there is nothing you can do about a over ratio of that nature. NTM you only have this issue until June? here's to hoping you can find a way to swing it! Like you, I too am a people pleaser. 1) by nature and 2)for positive "word of mouth" I always try to say yes, where I can.

[sunnydays]

I wouldn't risk it either...what if someone reports you for it? And what about PD days and school breaks? Would they not need full day care for the 9 year old on those days? I would tell them you can't take the 9 year old, but can take the younger one. I am sure they will appreciate the fact that you follow the rules. I do understand the dilemma though...the rules are kind of silly when it comes to these things!

[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)

[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?