Quote Originally Posted by bluebirdfollower View Post
I know that ratio is 1:5 but I read online a few months back (can't seem to find this info anymore) that if 2 licensed provider in Ontario work together they can have 12 children together.

I know the fine is hefty for being over ratios but I am curious as to what the ministry does for the 2 under 2 if someone doesn't know about it. A LOT of providers in my are had no clue so I am wondering when they catch them what will happen. Lol
Ignorance isn't an excuse and doesn't equal a free pass. This is their chosen career, they are responsible for being up to date with all laws and rules. Sticking their heads in the sand and keeping status quo is unprofessional. I also find it quite unlikley that someone providing home daycare in Ontario can truly have no clue what so ever. Surely they have heard something about it in the news, at the park, from one of their daycare families. All it takes is for one person to have mention bill 10 or anything similar ONCE for them to be informed (they are no longer completely unaware), at that point it is up to them to research it in it's entirety.

Any daycare being caught over the limits will face the penalties of working outside the law. I would expect there is a slight variation in how it is dealt with on first charge. As much as it is supposed to be an unbiased, rule based system it would likely depend in the person showing up at the door on any given day. If they are in a good mood and see a really well run program and they feel the caregiver is in fact completely ignorant of the law then perhaps they will get off with a warning, but odds are they will be charged, because the people writing the tickets do this every day and one would expect they are fed up with every caregiver trying to claim ignorance.

My understanding is that the government wants this to be taken seriously and they are not looking to give free passes. Especially when they have $250,000 to collect for someones ignorance.