The first family missed a deadline and that is not your fault and a red flag marker for them. It is not your job to chase after families. In the meantime you have lined up an interview with a second family. Did you set the date or did the family. I always feel bad when I am busy and they wanted to come by the next night and I have to put them off 2-3 days in which case I don't accept anyone till I meet with them since it is my fault but that is just my guilt and yes it has cost me kids before.

I certainly wouldn't contact family one again. It is very common to take a month and visit lots of places before deciding which one to go with. Be wary of anyone that interviews and signs on the spot unless they have told you they have seen other places and how they are arriving at their decision.

Mostly it is first to bring a deposit. I have interviewed 4-5 people in a week and then sat back and waited with fingers crossed that the one I really wanted calls me back first. Think of looking for childcare like buying a house. You look at lots and while not one of them is perfect you have to decide which flaw you can live with and then pick one. But if you take too long thinking about it some of those houses will be sold while you were thinking. Same happens in daycare. We "show" our daycare to lots of interested people who go away and think about it and compare it to others they see and everyone takes their chances that the space will still be there if they want it while knowing it is a gamble that it won't be.

Where I live some families visit 10-15 caregivers over the course of a couple weeks before sitting down to narrow down the list. I just keep interviewing till someone makes up their mind. At that point I do sometimes send an email to those that interviewed saying the space is now filled but I will keep their name on file should there be any change.