What would you do?

[Vtorrance]

Ok so I first want to say I am all about following the rules, however a situation might be presented and I am trying to figure out my stand. Suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Ok so I have a f/t dcc starting mom wants a spot for her other child but they are only b/a. They are a teacher family and will be gone by 4. This child puts me over by 1. I want to help the family out however I don't know about having 1 extra kid for 1 hour each day. School is done at 3 so by the time we walk back to my house, have snack they will be gone. Mom really wants them together, which I understand. Great family, good fit for my daycare.

What are your thoughts?

[Spixie33]

I had this same situation come up a few months ago.

I had someone I knew that really really wanted a spot for her 1 year old but it meant I would have to take her older child who is 9 after school for about 45 minutes. The older child spends half the month at their father's house and 1/2 with the mother (shared custody) so about 8-10 days of the month I would be over possibly for 1 hour (until 4)

I also have another child who usually gets picked up between 3-4 which would then eliminate the issue or might mean I have 6 kids here for 10-15 minutes only. So far it has worked out that it has only happened once where I have been over. The timing has been going pretty good.

I really had to think and weigh the whole situation and even composed an email telling the mom I could not do it but then I talked to some people on this board and all people I know in the real world and they encouraged me to do it based on the short amount of time.

Next year the child for after school will turn 10 and won't count in my numbers anyways. I am counting the days.

Sometimes I am out with 6 kids and then I feel like the whole neighbourhood is watching and I feel self conscious but I love the younger sibling I took on and the family.

I tell myself that it is okay because the child that puts me over is only here such a short amount of time plus they are 9. It would be different if I took on another 15 month old for 8 hours a day - right?

I don't know if I made the right decision.

I understand your dilemma completely. I hope you find a good solution that works for you.

[Trace of Angels]

I would never go over ratio. Not even for 5 minutes. Do you have daycare insurance? I do and they cover me to have 5 daycare children in my home. Imagine something of the unspeakable happened in my home. Imagine I got sued by a parent. Imagine my house insurance found out I was one over ratio. Imagine they wouldn't pay for my claim. Imagine I am out of pocket now for a million dollars. Imagine I loose my job, my house, my car. I would NEVER put myself or my family at risk. EVER. I know people do it and the chances are it would be fine but not for me. I don't take chances with my life and family :-( Just my two cents.

[sunnydays]

I would not do it either. Too much risk! If someone reports you and you have a fine or your daycare closed down, will you still feel it is worth it? Or if something happens and your insurance is void because of the extra child? I know that having that child is not a problem for you in terms of caring for the child (I have 5 daycare kids and my own 2 kids under 10 and handle it quite well) and it isn't necessarily fair that our own kids don't count, but this child would. However, the law is the law and I would not do anything to put yourself in a situation that could come back to bite you.

[torontokids]

I wouldn't do it either, just for the insurance reasons.

[Skysue]

I don't think it's a bad thing, it sounds reasonable. To be 100% I would just ask your other parents if they are ok with the situation as it sounds like it's making you uneasy.
If you have there ok then I think your fine.
The law is somewhat unfair as I have a friend who has 5 kids of her own who runs a daycare and that puts her at 10 kids a day and that legal? Bizarre!

I know I would be uncomfortable with that many. I have 90% part time kids and do my best to always keep my numbers to 5 but there has been the odd day where I have gone over for a few hours.

Just make sure that your covered for summer break.

[gramma]

see ifyour insurer will cover you for the extra child for the short time needed. i had a newchild who started with me a couple ofmonths before the old one left and my insurer gave me the okay for the time needed.

[Vtorrance]

Thanks everyone for your input. I would definitely be asking my insurance company before I did anything. I wouldn't jeopardize my family ever!

[playfelt]

Whether your insurer oks it or not the government won't so you would be operating illegally and could be closed down and fined.