First of all, I do an extensive emailing or phone call weeding out type period making sure the hours, rates, ages of children match what I am able to accomodate. Also, I ask where the parents live and work to make sure they are not going out of their way because sometimes that ends up being a problem.

If the child has been with another caregiver or centre I want to know all the details of that. I want to make sure they read my website and get a general feeling if our personalities match because the parents are our clients and I want a good relationship with them.

At the personal meeting all of that is out of the way so I can concentrate on showing the daycare, talking about how our days run, my schedule, menu, philosophies of chidrearing and asking about the child's routines to make sure they will fit into the daycare. I let the conversation flow and ask and answer questions for the parents as things come up just talking about my daycare and about their child. Parents appreciate it if you are confident and relaxed.

I show them my resume and talk a little about my past and experience and why I am running a daycare. We quickly go over the main points in my contract and I explain that I carry medical forms every where I go. I don't give out the paperwork though, I email it to families after the meeting who seem like they will be a good match so they can read it in detail at home.

I always tell the parents that they are interviewing me and I am interviewing them so we both have to feel that we will be a good match because we are forging a working relationship for years to raise their child into a wonderful little person.

Good luck!