Hi! I would say it totally depends on your situation and the personality of the child/family! I only have 3 day care kids so have been able to provide casual care for 1 little fellow! I believe it only works for me because the mother is extremely easy going! I had the little guy come every day for a week so that he would already know us when he started just coming casuallly. Mom would call the night before or even morning of to see if I could take him and was totally fine if I said no ( I'm 8 month pregnant and she didn't mind when I said I was too tired!)! I made a mini contract with health info, emergency contact etc. And she paid cash each time she dropped him off. If it was not a 'perfect' fit like this I feel it could be a disaster and probably not really worth the headache!!!