Venting and advice needed.

[CrazyEight]

Your own kids under age 6 don't count until Jan. 2016, but any new daycare kids taken on since Dec. 4, 2014 (the day the Bill received Royal Assent, essentially passing third vote and becoming law) need to count in the new ratios. For example, if you had 3 under age 2 since November, you'd be allowed to keep all three, providing at least one turned 2 by Jan. 2016. But if you had 2 under 2 and were asked tomorrow to take on a third under 2, you couldn't, because the Bill is technically in place now. Jan. 2016 is the end of the "grandfathering" phase, allowing providers who were already operating time for kids to age and others to get shuffled around so that we're all in line by that date.

So assuming you haven't taken on any new kids since Dec. 2014, you're fine to run as-is until Jan. 2016. As to whether you'll be legal then, that depends on your dckids' ages. Your own 7yo won't count, ever, so if you have 4 dckids and your own 4yo you're fine, assuming you have no more than 2 under 2.

Is your 4yo in school? There is a clause in the Bill for not counting our own kids under 6 IF they are in full-day kindergarten and IF you have LESS than 2 under 2. So providers have a choice - have their 4 and 5yo kids count whenever they're home from school (before and after, pa days, sick days, summer, etc) and be allowed 2 under 2, OR have their own 4 and 5yo's NOT count when they are home during the school year but only be allowed ONE child under age 2. It is further complicated by the fact that that regulation hasn't been spelled out yet - the Bill only says that our own 4 and 5yo's won't count "during the school calendar" but does not mention specifics. Most assume that to mean they will only count during the summer holidays, but the regulation COULD specify that they are only exempt from our numbers on regular school days, for before and after. They could still count on PA days, sick days, xmas holidays, spring break, etc. We won't know until they decide to write out the specific regulation, and there is no word on when that will be.

So it's confusing as hell, and ridiculous, but with the fines being raised to $250,000 for being over in numbers, it's not a risk I'd advise taking. I am personally raising rates, only accepting full-time, and getting rid of sick days and other leniencies. They pay for a spot, regardless of whether or not they attend, end of story. I have to, as my youngest is only 2.5 and I am expecting this summer, so will only be allowed 3 dckids.

Any questions, just ask, I hope I've explained it somewhat clearly. Hard when the law is as clear as mud!!