Speaking Of Wierdos And Red Flags

[SilverSabre25]

Quibbling over policies. Not just rates or pick-up times, mind you, but any policy--one family had issue with the vacation policy (really? You complain that you get 14 days of vacation free each year?) Turns out this one should have questioned the "two week's notice WITH PAY regardless of attendance" policy.

Questioning the "pay for the spot, not for the usage" policy when they have a variable schedule and need anywhere from two to five days per week due to a retail schedule--then use you despite not liking the policy. Yep, they were gone with no notice within a very short amount of time "we found a new sitter". I'm fine with the variable schedule (LOVE it actually!) but THEY PAY FOR ALL FIVE< EVERY WEEK.

Writing additional things in on one of your forms...such as on the photo release form. One family checked "Yes" but added "so long as she is fully clothed and the photos are used appropriately".

[MamaBear]

My red flags are:

• When late for a tour
• A no-show is a BIG red flag... your done with me after that
• When the FIRST question is what I charge
• When they say "She has to be rocked to sleep" and shes 2 yrs old
• "She/He doesnt like to nap"
• "What is the late fee in case we're late sometimes?"
• "He has allergies a lot!"
• "We hold him a lot"
• "Shes never been around other kids"
• "He has split personalities" (and this kid REALLY did!)
• "He was in a daycare already, but it didnt work out" WHY??? Ohhh cause hes devil's spawn!
• "We're hoping she'll learn to share & be nice to other kids if she comes here"

I know there are so many more... but those are the worst ones I've heard! haha

[pfund2233]

"My baby daddy...." 3 times now had clients use that phrase and it ended up in major drama so now I don't take anyone who uses it. I'm bad huh?

LMAO OH MY GODNESS!! I had this happen one time and that was enough to NEVER let it happen ever again....

The mom used to come in all decked out like she was going to a club. She worked from 10-6 pm. One day my neighbor comes over and says hey who is that girl that comes in the boots to drop off her kid every day.... I told him one of my DCM. So he says I think I know her.... Turns out she was a stipper working the day shift....
She never told he what she did, but she always paid in cash and mostly ones.... I thought she worked in a restaurant.... She had a baby daddy too and lots of drama.... No more baby daddy....

Stripper eh?? And to think those ones could have been in her whatever and that's what she paid with? GROSS!!!! LOL

[pfund2233]

My DD was daytime trained at 20 months...truly. just sayin'

I was FULLY trained at 18mo. My sitter did it I guess by what my parents said. But I have always been very smart!!

[flightlessbird11]

These are all great! Some red flags for me:

When the parent asks,"so..do you really enforce all your policies?"
When they have a list a mile long of their child's needs/likes/dislikes/etc.
Of course when they don't show up for an interview~I had a parent just respond to my craigslist ad, who no showed on me in January!

Another red flag is when we are interviewing and it just doesn't seem to flow. You know, like there are a lot of weird silences, or we just don't mesh well. I usually go with my gut, because 99.99% of the time~it's right!

This thread is both funny and helpful!!

[daycare]

Stripper eh?? And to think those ones could have been in her whatever and that's what she paid with? GROSS!!!! LOL

Omg eeww I can't stop laughing. I never thought of that. Hahahah I can't wait to tell my husband. Lol. What a laugh
Thanks for the laugh!!

[laundrymom]

Ohsugar! Thanks for the towels!!! Lol

[littlemissmuffet]

Me: "What are your hours of work?"
Parent: "Well, we both work until 3pm, but we will be picking up at.... what time do you close?"

Me: "Is Johnny a good eater?"
Parent: "Oh yeah! He always finsihes his burger before his fries..."

Me: "Does Johnny have any allergies?"
Parent: "Just a few... cats, dogs, dust, grass, strawberries, peanuts, milk, Pampers brand diapers, most laundry detergents, perfume scents... oh, and he has asthma and is prone to siezures..." ::

Parent: "Can I bring Johnny when he's sick?" - after going over my illness policy (which is the FIRST thing I go over in interviews)

Parent: "Do you charge a late fee?"

Parent: "My 2 year old does not need a nap, what will you two be doing while the other children nap?" ::::::

Parent: "Is it possible to pay at the end of the month after you've already privded daycare, instead of in advance at the first of the month?"

Parent: "Do you do time outs? We don't believe in them!" ::

Parent: "We don't like our child hearing negative words like... "no"... it gives kids low self esteem." ::

Parent: "Do you replace toys from hom that get broekn or lost at daycare??" - after going over my list of NO-NOs (which most def includes no toys from home"

Ugh, I could go on and on too!

[PolarCare]

Always worth mentioning again

When they drive a car that costs more than my house and they live in a gated community, and then want to lowball me on my rates.

Did you see a sign that said Felix's Used Cars when you pulled up? Maybe Let's Make a Deal? Dialing for Daycare?

I wonder if some of these people would like to show up at work and have their boss ask if they would accept 3/4 of their wages this week?

Oh no problem! I'll pick 15 minutes out of every hour and just set Timmy here out on the porch to amuse himself by whatever means he wants, since we're on the discount plan! I need a break anyway!

Actually, maybe I'll just ask parents who want a reduced rate if they could only bring part of their child on days they want to pay less. You know, if you pay 2/3s, then you get to bring the top 2/3s of Timmy.

[spud912]

Single parent texting/talking on the phone during the whole interview. Apparently I was talking to myself?!?

[meganlavonnesmommy]

My biggest red flag is when they call on the phone and ask " Do you have any openings, and how much do you charge". Then immediately respond with "when can my child start".

I've found that if they are the type of parent who will bring their child to care without meeting us first, and touring my home, then they are the type of parent that I DONT want in my home.

The parents that are respectful of you, your home, and your policies are the ones who want to take the time to come and meet you, meet your family, and see your home.

I'm really really lucky right now. I've done care for 5 years, and the group I have right now is by far my best group as far as families. They are all very respectful and amazing.

[Pammie]

My biggest red flags - and ones that cause me to **immediately** end the interview and decline a contract are:

The slightest disrespect to me or my family during the interview.
Parents that don't have control of their child during the interview.

I can handle all the questions about rates/polices - I'm really good at saying "No"

[SilverSabre25]

Oh yes, I remembered another one--when they get visibly annoyed that I don't show them my daughter's room, when they get visibly annoyed when I stop their 18 month old from toddling into my daughter's room, and when they are not satisfied with me pointing down the hallway and saying, "There are our bedrooms and one bathroom; daycare kids are NEVER allowed down this hall, so let's go over here next..."

Also, not bringing their child to the interview. I need to meet at least one parent AND the child. I never specify that they need to bring the kid, because I want to see if they do. I've never landed or accepted a client that didn't bring the child to the interview.

[AfterSchoolMom]

Oh, I thought of some more!

"My baby is a catnapper." Means "He never sleeps and will cry all day long." (I've been burned this way twice - never again!)

When they allow their kids to go into your pantry and pull out food and help themselves to it without permission, with me sitting there with my jaw on the floor (true story).

When they write ALL over the contract, adding their own thoughts and specifications to almost every policy - HA! Yeah right!

When they go on and on about how horrible their previous DCP was, telling you all kinds of personal things about her and every little thing that they perceived at "wrong". It means they'll do the same to you, nine times out of ten.

When two families are vying for the same spot, and one calls you to tell you bad things about the other family. Next!

[mrsp'slilpeeps]

"My baby daddy...." 3 times now had clients use that phrase and it ended up in major drama so now I don't take anyone who uses it. I'm bad huh?

LMAO OH MY GODNESS!! I had this happen one time and that was enough to NEVER let it happen ever again....

The mom used to come in all decked out like she was going to a club. She worked from 10-6 pm. One day my neighbor comes over and says hey who is that girl that comes in the boots to drop off her kid every day.... I told him one of my DCM. So he says I think I know her.... Turns out she was a stipper working the day shift....
She never told he what she did, but she always paid in cash and mostly ones.... I thought she worked in a restaurant.... She had a baby daddy too and lots of drama.... No more baby daddy....

Eeeewww, just thinking about the fact that you were taking money that was shoved in places that I wouldn't let my husband see on my own body was enough to make me think twice about breakfast.