Hmmm, sounds like a terribly unsafe situation. Is being in charge of that number of kids, by yourself, even in ratio according to the state? I'd bring it up to the director and also make dcps greet you face-to-face. In the past, I had dcparents who would simply drop their child at the door or even inside the door, without greeting me. If we're in the playroom and busy, I don't hear them. So a new policy I had to make was greeting your provider face-to-face. It only makes sense safety wise. But 17 kids seems like an awful lot! One of my preschool dcks class has 14 kiddos and 2 teachers. And even that can be challenging.
Your center needs some new policies!
Rereading your post, now I see you admit the ratio is too much at times. That fault and responsibility lies with the director/owner of the place!

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