I understand what you are saying but don't forget that parents are paying the fees you are quoting - the licensed agency is skimming off the top. That is why privately I earn an extra $5 per child. For the little I received when I worked for the agency I figured I could do a lot more with an extra $25 week per child. I was much happier when I severed ties.

I do agree that the whole age ratio needs to be looked at. First the afterschool issue that there will now be 4-5 year olds only needing before and after care so there is no way they should count in your ratios the same as if they were there most of the day. But yes it then leaves you limited to having very few children all day and having to accept school age JK and up to make a group of 5. I think what is going to happen is a lot of caregivers are going to give up on agencies and a lot of families may follow suit if they are happy with the caregiver they have and not want to leave. That is what happened when I left the agency.