Speaking Of Wierdos And Red Flags

[PolarCare]

Providers,
What are some things that you have learned from experience that now appear as "red flags" when you are interviewing? Indications that you don't really want to take this family on?

Obviously the no call/no show is one of mine. It says to me that the person is either a poor planner or just doesn't feel the need to follow through on obligations or communicate about not following through. It's rude and demonstrates a disrespect for my time.

Also, if I ask questions in my preliminary interview and the parent/s seem to skirt the issue, not want to answer, or they don't seem to be on the same page with the answer.

I give out a rate sheet with my packet, and I ask all parents to thoroughly read my packet, schedule, policies, etc BEFORE the preliminary issue. It says in BOLD LETTERS on my rate sheet and scheduling sheet that these are non negotiable, so if they don't work for a family, please do not waste their time or mine. It is definately a red flag when someone then schedules an interview and it seems to go well, and then they pop out with "all I'm able to pay is _____." or "I can't pay weekly" or "I can't pay the deposit". I thought "non-negotiable" was pretty clear

[Michael]

That word "weird" has popped up so much today I started a "Weird" tag.

[nannyde]

Padding time into the daycare hours they don't need.

HUGE red flag.

[daycare]

Red Flad words for me:

Do you do weekends?

My child doesnt like fruits and veggies

My 1.5 year old is potty trained

Some times grandma watches them so we can get a break on our DC fees.

Oh, you close at 6, we will have to fly straight here every day after work to make it on time.

Is the whole amount of $250.00 due each week?

What kind of medicine should I bring to DC for my kid when they are sick?

Little johnny is such an angel...............:confused:

We don't want our child to nap while at DC

Can we only pay for the days that we use the DC?

OMG I can go on and on ....

[Hunni Bee]

Red Flad words for me:

Do you do weekends?

My child doesnt like fruits and veggies

My 1.5 year old is potty trained

Some times grandma watches them so we can get a break on our DC fees.

Oh, you close at 6, we will have to fly straight here every day after work to make it on time.

Is the whole amount of $250.00 due each week?

What kind of medicine should I bring to DC for my kid when they are sick?

Little johnny is such an angel...............:confused:

We don't want our child to nap while at DC

Can we only pay for the days that we use the DC?

OMG I can go on and on ....

LOL at "My 1.5 year old is potty trained" ::

[PitterPatter]

Providers,
What are some things that you have learned from experience that now appear as "red flags" when you are interviewing? Indications that you don't really want to take this family on?

Obviously the no call/no show is one of mine. It says to me that the person is either a poor planner or just doesn't feel the need to follow through on obligations or communicate about not following through. It's rude and demonstrates a disrespect for my time.

Also, if I ask questions in my preliminary interview and the parent/s seem to skirt the issue, not want to answer, or they don't seem to be on the same page with the answer.

I give out a rate sheet with my packet, and I ask all parents to thoroughly read my packet, schedule, policies, etc BEFORE the preliminary issue. It says in BOLD LETTERS on my rate sheet and scheduling sheet that these are non negotiable, so if they don't work for a family, please do not waste their time or mine. It is definately a red flag when someone then schedules an interview and it seems to go well, and then they pop out with "all I'm able to pay is _____." or "I can't pay weekly" or "I can't pay the deposit". I thought "non-negotiable" was pretty clear

I had a mother that couldn't keep the kids names / ages straight after 2 phone calls. When I pointed it out she tried to say oh well I am actually just a friend of the Father and I will be doing the interviewing and such for him.

Heh nope bye bye have big daddy call me himself. ...he never called of course.

Another red flag was "sometimes my kid sees thing that aren't there" This after the agreed time and dropped off on the 1st day! He was 12 and that was his only day because he was very bossy to my son and I, and did nothing but lay on the sofa with his feet propped all day demanding snacks and drink, give him the remote, etc. He claimed he was tired but was too busy barking at the other kids for making too much noise while they were playing. He never mentioned seeing anything thank God! I told the Mom at pick up we can't continue and I even let her go without paying a dime just to get them away.

Other red flags off the top of my head have been:

"Our pick up time will fluctuate"

"I can't balance a checkbook so my Mom keeps it for me so I'm not sure who will pay u but someone will"

"We are almost potty trained"

"Tommy will only eat chicken nuggets"

"When Tammy acts up just turn a couple episodes of spongebob on and she will be fine"

"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?

[daycare]

I had a mother that couldn't keep the kids names / ages straight after 2 phone calls. When I pointed it out she tried to say oh well I am actually just a friend of the Father and I will be doing the interviewing and such for him.

Heh nope bye bye have big daddy call me himself. ...he never called of course.

Another red flag was "sometimes my kid sees thing that aren't there" This after the agreed time and dropped off on the 1st day! He was 12 and that was his only day because he was very bossy to my son and I, and did nothing but lay on the sofa with his feet propped all day demanding snacks and drink, give him the remote, etc. He claimed he was tired but was too busy barking at the other kids for making too much noise while they were playing. He never mentioned seeing anything thank God! I told the Mom at pick up we can't continue and I even let her go without paying a dime just to get them away.

Other red flags off the top of my head have been:

"Our pick up time will fluctuate"

"I can't balance a checkbook so my Mom keeps it for me so I'm not sure who will pay u but someone will"

"We are almost potty trained"

"Tommy will only eat chicken nuggets"

"When Tammy acts up just turn a couple episodes of spongebob on and she will be fine"

"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?

"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....

[Crystal]

Anyone who contradicts what they have told me over the phone when they are here for interview. I had a Mom once who seemed golden over the phone. The minute she got here all of her "needs" were suddenly different than what she had originally told me....she needed later hours....trying to negotiate to get me stay open late for her, etc. Not even half way through the interview I showed her the door.

[Childminder]

When the first question out of their mouth is: "What do you charge?"

Second: "Do you take subsidy?"

[PolarCare]

I had a mother that couldn't keep the kids names / ages straight after 2 phone calls. When I pointed it out she tried to say oh well I am actually just a friend of the Father and I will be doing the interviewing and such for him.

Heh nope bye bye have big daddy call me himself. ...he never called of course.

Another red flag was "sometimes my kid sees thing that aren't there" This after the agreed time and dropped off on the 1st day! He was 12 and that was his only day because he was very bossy to my son and I, and did nothing but lay on the sofa with his feet propped all day demanding snacks and drink, give him the remote, etc. He claimed he was tired but was too busy barking at the other kids for making too much noise while they were playing. He never mentioned seeing anything thank God! I told the Mom at pick up we can't continue and I even let her go without paying a dime just to get them away.

Other red flags off the top of my head have been:

"Our pick up time will fluctuate"

"I can't balance a checkbook so my Mom keeps it for me so I'm not sure who will pay u but someone will"

"We are almost potty trained"

"Tommy will only eat chicken nuggets"

"When Tammy acts up just turn a couple episodes of spongebob on and she will be fine"

"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?

I don't discriminate against single moms. I understand that stuff happens. But I will admit that when I do the background check on the parent and a bunch of Domestic Violence and a string of custody issues pop up under their name, I tend to shy away. It's not that I think the kids don't deserve care, but I notice that drama tends to follow some people, and I absolutely cannot tolerate it.

[AfterSchoolMom]

If the very first thing out of their mouths on the first contact are "what are your rates" then I know they're either just fishing or are planning on arguing with me about cost.

"Little Johnny is on behavior meds, but he just takes a low dose in the morning." They're really saying "Little Johnny takes just enough meds to get him through the school day but will be impossible to deal with by the time he gets to your house."

Saying "I may be a few minutes late now and then if I can't get out of work" means "I'll be late all the time, won't call to tell you, and won't pay you extra for it".

"Boy, your contract is SO strict" - Instant bye bye. No way.

[MamaJ]

LOL at "My 1.5 year old is potty trained"

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

[cheerfuldom]

Anybody who is immediately fighting me on every policy. A few questions to clarfiy is appropriate but you all know what extreme I am talking about. I'm not going to justify every policy, take it or leave it.

[TBird]

I agree with all of these!!!

Please add this one (this is at the end of the interview when they haven't even read over your handbook). "Oh I like this...can I pay you now and have Little Johnny start in the morning???"

Uh Uh...this chick is on the run because she fell out with her last childcare provider, probably over non-payment. RUN LIKE THE WIIIIIIIIIIIND!!!

[E Daycare]

"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?

Man I wish I wouldve known about this one because whoa whee I had some issues with that too. So much drama it made me exhausted. I kept telling my SIL "I have no drama but other peoples drama".

Ill go along with someone scheduling a interview and that day, 10 minutes before the interview call and say "well little johnny is still sleeping and since we were at the pool Ill just let him sleep and maybe we can come some time next week". Yeah, I doubt it. They havent called back.

Another recent one is from my current dck and a referral. My dcp mentioned to me when they started in April that her friend also needed care for her 3yr old son. She also hinted that he may have some friend issues(1st red flag). I took it that the kid was probably a problem child. Anyways, to give benefit of the doubt I still said "well sure they can interview". The mom called to talk about things and made it seem like she wanted to come asap. So far she has flaked 3 times(BEEP BEEP RED FLAG). Im finally full for the start of the new year with pretty much all teachers kids (YAY so excited for that, I love their schedule) so I was very happy to tell her I was full.

She sounded very upset when I said I was full but why do some parents think we are at call for them and will just wait around? Its July, why would I wait from April and say "sure I saved a spot just for you!"?

Heres what Ive found:

Being flaky
Having fleas
Baby daddy issues
Asking for reduced rate
No call no show and then a call again to "reschedule"
Showing up on my door step when not scheduled and then just leaving the kid there.
Moldy bottles
Baby daddy looking in my windows
Mom and baby daddy fighting in my house
Baby daddys car breaking down in my driveway
Asking me 15 times what my rate is
Acting like the reason why they took their sweet time getting back to me because "grandmas been watching him all summer and hes just been having so much fun" and then getting pissy when I say "welp, Im full and Ill put you on my wait list. 3rd behind". You snooze you lose.

Some were red flags AFTER the fact but Im still learning .