Anyone In MN Ever Asked For A Variance?

[MommyMuffin]

I will have 3 infants for about a month or so in august and so I need to get a varience as I do not have a dedicated helper.
I found the site to fill out the information and I talked to my licensor. There is a spot where I have to explain what additional safety measures and fire escape plans I will do because I will have 3 infants at once.

To be honest....I have no idea how I would handle a fire with 3 infants? If there was a fire I would get them all out as soon as possible with whatever means I could...put 2 in carriers and take them out with 1 baby strapped to me in a sling....this just doesnt seem like the answer they would be looking for and if there was a fire would I really have time to do that....no I would just take them out as fast as I could and go back in for the other....what are they looking for???

[lil angels]

I am in MN and I don't think they will give you a varience for 3 under the age of one I have always ran off of a varience till the new rules started in October and all of your parents have to sign it I hate that. I think you can apply for 4 under 2 with no more than 2 being under 1. They don't do 3 under one but if you do try it. In the spaces where they ask how I will care for them better I put down the best I can by supervising them and they have never questioned it. And for the fire thing if you have an older child that could carry one that would be good just put down something like I will carry them and take whatever means nesisary (sorry I can't spell) to get them to safty. That is the type of things they are looking for.

[jen]

How many kids do you have in care? Can you switch to the infant toddler specialist license? I think any advice will be dependent on how old and how many kids you'll have total.

I'm in MN too, I've heard that getting a varience for infant care is next to impossible. It could just be my county that is strict about it tho.

[SilverSabre25]

Scoop all three up in your arms at once...? In a pinch, with adrenaline, you'd be able to no problem.

[Little People]

I hope I don't sound horrible, for this is not what I am doing. But if you were to take 2 out and have to come back for the 3rd, what IF there was no getting back in the house? And if there was a fire of course you would react to what ever babies was near you. Do you happen to have a stroller that you could put all three in at the same time? I know you are looking for a way to get it on paper and my only thought was a stroller for all three.

[daysofelijah]

I got a 1 month variance a couple years ago. I had four under 2 for a month until one of the kids turned 3. I still only had two under 1 though. I think the kids were about 3 months, 11 months (dd), 21 months, and 23 months at the time. I think it will be pretty hard to get a variance for three infants, but it's worth a try.

I just put something like continuing to follow all safety guidelines or something to that effect on that line, nothing too specific.

eta: if she asked how you would handle a fire, you could say everyone in a laundry basket or something. I know centers guidelines (4 to 1 ratio in MN) is put them all in one crib and roll them out the door.

[AnythingsPossible]

I am in a similar situation and have 3 little ones for one day a week. My plan for emergencies is as follows;
On the days that I have the three in attendance, the twin stroller will be by the front door. In the case of fire or need to evacuate, 2 will be placed in the stoller and I will carry the other in my arms. The line rope will be out for the preschoolers to hold on to and all emergency supplies will be placed in the bottom of the stroller basket.
I am also considering having this be my main procedure anyway with 2 or 3 infants and when 2 are in care I will keep the stroller at the ready in my garage, but when the 3 are in, I will keep it in the house.
Don't know if this helps, but it is what my emergency plan is.

[MommyMuffin]

I will have a newborn, 5 month old and 11 month old. Great idea with the stroller because I happen to have a 3 seater stroller!! Great plan.

[KEG123]

I'd put them all in the pack n play and roll it out. (ours has wheels on one side)

[misol]

Scoop all three up in your arms at once...? In a pinch, with adrenaline, you'd be able to no problem.

My thoughs exactly!

[MARSTELAC]

I have requested variances three times. All three times I never heard back from my county by the dates I needed those variances. All three times I took the kids in anyway. All three times I finally received approval for my requests....months after the fact when it was no longer needed. Poor system.

[Jewels]

Wow what county are you in, to not hear back for sooo long, I applied for a varience once, and I got it, and heard back in 3 days, but that was for having one more preschooler and only for a month, I think I might have to apply for another one here in the next week, but only for a few hours 2 days a week, and again for a preschooler...............my licensor would never approve me for 3 under 1, I know at least in my county it goes in front of all the licensors at their weekly meeting, and they all have to agree, and I know they rarely ever grant variances in the first year of licensing.

[Blackcat31]

My licensor is awesome and approves my variance requests over the phone and then sends back the paper copy as soon as I drop it off for her to sign. I have had several variences over the last few years. The last one for the same situation you descibed. I had three under 12 months but only one was full time (6 hrs per day M-F) and the other two just overlapped here and there. I described my extra precautionary actions as having a smaller than allowed preschool group as well as one of the under 1's being a sibling to an older child and all my parents were ok with it as well and my DH being present over the lunch hour every day. Most of the providers in my area that get variances do it to switch up age groups but NEVER to have more than the TOTAL capacity.

[Unregistered]

license variance

My question is: I would like to request a variance that would allow me to care for an infant. This infant is a sibling of another child in care. I have C2 license and currently have 11 children enrolled in my care. I will have one child that is 10 months, one child 20 months, 3 preschool age, and 6 kids considered schoolage (kindergarten). I will be over capacity 3 afternoons a week. This would mean that I would be caring for 2 infants, one toddler, 3 preschool age and 4 schoolage. How likely am I to get a variance?

[Blackcat31]

My question is: I would like to request a variance that would allow me to care for an infant. This infant is a sibling of another child in care. I have C2 license and currently have 11 children enrolled in my care. I will have one child that is 10 months, one child 20 months, 3 preschool age, and 6 kids considered schoolage (kindergarten). I will be over capacity 3 afternoons a week. This would mean that I would be caring for 2 infants, one toddler, 3 preschool age and 4 schoolage. How likely am I to get a variance?

I am in MN.

Variances will NEVER be granted for MORE kids than you are suppose to have.

You can NEVER go over capacities/ratios.

Variances are suppose to be for situations where you are needing a 20 month old to be moved to the 24 month and up age category and similar situations but never so you can take MORE kids than your license allows.

Hopefully that makes sense.

Also what area are you in? I've heard variances are virtually unheard of in certain areas of the state.