Yes the red flags. Actually had one early with this family. First day of care I hand over a invoice for 2 weeks of before AND after school care. They protested - why a bill already, dont you let us pay at the end of the week, what if she is sick then you have to re imburse us etc. I was like huh, no you pay for 5 days of before and after school care, whether she is here or not. If I am unable then you dont pay. They protested that they had never ever seen it done like this before in a child care setting.

Then they wanted to pay weekly. I said no its bi weekly every Monday.

Then after a week they decide that one week she will be before and after and the following week just after school, one parent will be taking her to school in the morning. Ummmm contract commitment says you do before and after school every day 5 days a week.

Then it was - she wont be here this day or this day (they still got charged for all of it as I just gave a set charge for 2 weeks and billed them that whether she was here or not) so as an example she now is only here one day next week, but they paid for 5 days.

And I am seriously considering not accepting only children. Not like 1 yr olds that have no siblings, but I only watch older children for before and after and let me tell you HUGE difference between kids with siblings and only children. (joking I know i can't control that)

And when parents give 4 pages of Kid Information on their child - huge red flag. Ummm the kid is here for 30 minutes after school, I don't need a novel about their likes and dislikes, sleep patterns, pee patterns etc. And when a child is 4 and still in a "bubble" with "rents - another sign. Texting them to say we are going to the park afterschool shouldn't result in a thread of 5-6 messages about it.