Nine might seem like a lot but I am mom to 4 kids so add 5 daycare kids and that equals 9. Back when my own were younger I also had two 11 year olds who were siblings of kids in care so a group of 11 of us was the summer norm. Also back then it was not considered wrong for my own kids to have a friend over to play - ideally outside for a short period of time so at pick up time it was common to see the entire street in the vicinity of my house - usually it was a hockey game on the road but they did it near my house cause I was the adult home. I just wasn't responsible for anyone my son was out there playing with but did dole out the first aid and discipline as needed.

But they have finally clarified the rules based on new tragedies so this would never be acceptable now. We are talking 10-15 years ago here.

Now it is 5 kids only. Unless she is with an agency the age mix doesn't matter regardless of how old her own kids are.

Will you be able to report it and have something happen without your friend knowing it came from you. Since you just warned them it could be touchy for the friendship but the lives of the children should be more important than anything. Could you talk some more to your friend and maybe even have her bring it up with the caregiver to make her aware of the rules and it would also give her a heads up to be looking for alternate care if the complaint is filed. She should be the one moving her child and filing the complaint but if you ask her to and she won't you will have to tell her that for the integrity of the profession you don't have a choice. I agree with what was written that it is the bad image it gives us all when there is an issue in an illegal daycare.