Medical leave

[torontokids]

So I have spoken to my Dr about the possibility of going on medical leave before my mat leave. I have really bad rheumatoid arthritis and I have had it for more that 12 yrs. It is normally managed by medication really well. Usually during pregnancy I feel better than ever and actually go into what they call remission (something to do with all those great pregnancy hormones). I had to go off of one of my meds now that I am in my 3rd trimester and this wasn't an issue in previous pregnancies because I essentially had a desk job. I am in a lot of pain now though. My Dr. said I am a candidate and was agreeable to doing the paperwork. My concern is the daycare families and also my contract.

My contract states a months notice by both parties. In a situation like this, I am guessing I still need to abide by this?

My daycare families are going to want an explanation and I am pretty comfortable sharing some of this with them, however I don't know if they need to know everything. What would you share? I think because we are a small knit group, they ask more than they should and probably expect more answers than they should.

I have 3 families left. One is done at Christmas so they are not effected. One has a spot for end of Jan. I don't know if the provider can take them earlier. I haven't asked because I wasn't sure what I would do. The other is a parent on mat leave with baby #2. She was staying with me until the end (mid Feb) because she finds it difficult to have both kids and has already started making plans for when I close e.g. having a helper 3 mornings a week.

I've never done this before so any advice is appreciated.

Oh- is there a possibility that my Dr approves it and then EI rejects my claim? I am worried about giving notice and then having EI reject me and then having no income.