Nope, it's ALL business here all the time.

I have been "friends" with a dcparent before. It was not intentional but the dcgirl (my first dckid ever) was the same age as my DD and they basically grew up together from 12 mths old right up until they were six. And THAT is when it all went BAD. Basically, I needed to ask for what was fair for ME with respect to daycare (and just trust me that THEY were getting the better deal. Over 5 years and two of their kids in care I basically LOST $28,000 because I allowed them to come flex and never pay for stats etc - LESSON LEARNED THE HARD WAY) they bolted and were very nasty.

My experiences is that the old adage is repeated so often because it is true - never mix business with pleasure. Now I won't even take immediate neighbours. I will NOT take a family who lives on my street because I do NOT want to even mix at that level.

I am able to run a very successful and relatively stress-free daycare because I am NOT friends with ANY family so I can cut my losses and move on with NO guilt at anytime. If parents don't live up to the terms of the contract I cut them lose.

I sleep very well at night too.