At the interview I like to discuss their timeline as that also gives me an indication of if they are just starting out and "just looking" at this point or if they have narrowed their search down to only a few homes based on whatever criteria - location, price, the feel they got when they called, whatever and when they were looking to make a decision. It allows me to remind them that I will continue to be interviewing and that on the one hand it is a first come first served concept while it also being my choice for the child that best fits in with my group.

If I have interviewed several families and there is one or more I am interested in over the others I will send them an email checking in with them and asking where they are in their daycare search etc.

Most of my contacts are by email because I prefer not to include my phone number in my ads. That way I can think about my answers to their questions and reply during naptime when I can actually think. Too often you end up playing phone tag as you reply during naptime and the mom is feeding the baby or gone out and it goes back and forth and the calls are always when you are busy one of those murphy's laws things. Email lets me do things on my time and I like that it is all in writing so no one can claim down the road what wasn't said.