Daycare interviews........

When I first started I did my interviews with the kids there and it was definitely not ideal! And then I thought about the safety concerns and since then only do evenings or weekends (weekends are better for me because I have young kids of my own and evenings are when they need my attention most). I also make sure my husband is home for interviews. Not only is it unsafe to be alone in the house with strangers (again, not likely, but if they turn out to be axe murderers, who would hear my cries for help?) but it also gives them a chance to meet him and it helps them feel comfortable with us as a family because their kid will see my husband coming and going and it is sometimes a concern parents have.

I agree with the others. I also started out doing interviews during daycare hours. It is nearly impossible to carry on a conversation/interview at the same time as watching other children.
I would lose my train of thoughts and forget to say a lot of important things because I kept getting interrupted from the children.
I never had anyone sign on who came during daycare hours because the interviews were so hectic.
I then changed to evenings only.
A lot of my evenings became busy with my own kids and their sports so I started doing weekend interviews and I have really appreciated those the most. You have time to tidy up in the morning, you have a fresh and sound mind and it is relaxed.

I did one interview while my dCks were here and they ALL acted out! It was kind of funny because I didn't want the family in the end anyway. I have one DCk who is especially sensitive to changes in the routine and she really struggles with new people in her space. I also after with what everyone else is sayin in terms of it being a safety issue. As a parent I wouldn't be comfortable knowing that strangers had access to my child.

I schedule interviews at 5pm so I have a bit of time after the last child leaves to vacuum and change my clothes and fix myself up a bit. I want the interview over by 6:30ish so I still have the evening because I still have dishes and a lot of other work to do.

My second step is a morning playdate with the Mom & child if I'm interested in having the family join my daycare. The third step is another evening appointment with more questions at the contract signing and we go over every policy together so they can ask questions.

During all 3 of these interviews I'm asking about their parenting philosophies, styles, giving little tidbits of advice on how they can prepare their child to fit into daycare and so much more.