For me I think it depends on how many interviews I am conducting for the space. This past space the interviews were very spread out so I sort of went with the notion of first come first served but I always conduct each interview that is scheduled before I let the families know who I have accepted. But I tell them during the interview that I will accept the first family that I believe fits well.

When I have several interviews scheduled over a short period of time (for example one time I had 22 interviews scheduled over a 3 week period for 2 spaces, I let the families know that I have several interviews and if they would like to be considered for the space to let me know by a certain date and that I would be making my decision by a certain date. So the families know exactly how long they have to make their decision too and I knew exactly what families wanted to be considered.

Truthfully, I don't think there is right or wrong way, as long as we are respectful.

I also agree that just because we interview a family and they would like to place their child with us doesn't meant that we have to accept them into care (when we aren't affiliated with an agency).