Again, I’m not trying to offend anyone. Everyone’s situation is different...

I’m in Manitoba. A licensed provider is allowed 8 children. 5 full time and 3 school age.

Also, not everyone provides lunch. I, for one, am doing drinks and snacks.

And for those of us who would’ve been staying home with our own child instead of going back to work, things like the heat or air conditioning running all day would remain the same. Internet and cable remains the same. Mortgage interest remains the same. Yes, the toilets may flush more than often and I’ll use cleaning supplies more than usual. I understand the costs. You don’t need to remind me there are toys and crafts involved. There are many ways to keep those costs minimal. Everyone’s situation is different. I am not “very wrong” in thinking anything. I never once stated I believed you could claim 100% of your utilities. I understand it’s based on square footage, and we will all have different amounts. I will be using 50% of my home, I know some that use 75-100% and some that use 30%.

My job as an Education Assistant required staff to keep up with police record check and child abuse registry, as well as First Aid and CPR at our own cost. Not to mention, my husband and I want to be trained with First Aid and CPR regardless for the safety of our own child. So this remains the same for me.

I know that you can’t opt out of EI once filing a claim, but on mat leave right now I’m receiving $21,450 for the year. How would I save that amount within a year or two? Saving for mat leave isn’t always an option. Which is why I asked, if we are able to not claim expenses the year prior and have our mat leave calculated based on that income. EI payments are $1.63 per $100 to a maximum of $836.19 per year. It would take roughly 25 years to reach my EI mat leave payout amount by opting into EI. So for everyone, it’s not a bad decision. I just don’t know if you’d get in trouble or red flagged for not claiming expenses, as I don’t think it’s mandatory to claim expenses, but I don’t know if that would be considered manipulating the system. That is why I am asking if anyone has experience with this.