WWYD/ What should I do? Eeks

[Spixie33]

So I have a great group of kids and parents and I have technically two spots open in a few weeks when one of my parents is leaving to go have her second baby. She is taking her two children with her off to maternity land.

So I have an acquaintance interested in a spot for February. Nice lady, good family. her daughter would be 13 months old. The only drawback is that she has a daughter from a previous marriage who spends some of the week with her and some of the week with her ex husband so on certain days I would have to have her 9 year old daughter after school also. Obviously she wants both daughters in the same daycare. I would have her youngest daughter 8-4 and her older daughter from 3:10 -4:00 p.m.


Then last week I had one of my best daycare families recommend another family to me. They have an 17 month old daughter. I met with them - great family, great child and great fit.

So....the problem is that I have 2 spots but the 9 year old girl would be with me an hour a day for about 6-10 days a month and on those days I could potentially be at 6 kids in the house depending on when my other parents pick up. (One picks up between 3-4 but not always before 3:10)

So....the question is WWYD. Is it a big deal to possibly have 1 hour of the day where you are over? I just feel in a quandry. It seems crazy to lose either of the full time children just because of 1 hour. I am usually very by the book but I am so confused because I like all these people/kids.

I should also add that the parent of the After school girl and FT girl works for the school board so she has summers off and therefore this possible overlapping issue would only be until June/school end.

[Momof4]

That's a really hard decision you have to make! I would probably take the family with the 17 month old and have my space filled. I have these difficult decisions to make next month because I have too many people wanting my spaces in early 2013 so I know how your mind is going back and forth and back and forth right now. I'm in those shoes too! It's really difficult to decide.

But to tell you the truth, I wouldn't take the chance on being over in numbers ever. I would explain to the parent that I can't take the chance on losing my reputation and my business if anyone were ever to report me as running my daycare illegally, because 5 children is the law in Ontario at least.

Good luck!

[treeholm]

I would tell the family with the 9-year old that I cannot take the 9-year old. If she wants to have her children in the same daycare, then she will look elsewhere and you can fill the spot with the 17-month old and interview for the second spot. She may decide that she can find after school care for the 9 year old. If it is only for an hour a few days a month, I wouldn't imagine that having the children at the same daycare would be a dealbreaker issue.

[Bugaboo]

Personally I would not go over the limit. If you do decide to go over ask yourself how much you need/want your day care business, because that is what you are potentially sacrificing if you get caught or someone reports you. For me, I need my day care business and I want it to succeed. Running a day home is how I balancing working and family. I would not take the risk.

[Spixie33]

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.

[Inspired by Reggio]

Oh that is a tough one ~ it seems such a shame to loose out on a potentially awesome family you know because 'on occassion' they need childcare for their older sibling!

IMO this is another perfect example of how while I follow them because I am a rule follower and do not want to risk my business or my kids college fund in the event of an accident by going over ratio .... but I can see how sometimes the rules are just plain frustrating cause well if she was 'yours' you would not have to count her and could have 5 plus all your own but for some magic reason because she is not she would put you 'over ratio' and make you illegal :roll:

Are you in Ontario?

When does she turn 10 cause if you are in Ontario once they are 10 they do not count in ratios according to the DNA although you'd need to check with your insurance company?

Are there are people in your street who have a child the same age ~ would they be willing to help out with some after school play dates on those dates? Or do any of your other clients 'leave early' so that their attendance would not overlap after school? For example I use to have a client who picked up at 3pm so I could have if desired taken on an after school child at that point?

[Mamma_Mia]

Family of the 17mos old will most likely be going on mat leave soon too.....somethingd else to think about.

[BrightEyes]

I wouldn't risk it.

I would tell the family that you can't take the 9yr old at the moment but if they would be ok with finding alternate care for the 9yr old just until she turns 10 then you could take the baby and add the older sibling once she is 10

[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!