I am a new provider and I did host an open house just through a parent group I belong to. I had two mothers and babies come and I think it was worthwhile just to help get the word out there if nothing else. Neither of them placed their kids with me, but neither of them were looking for something immediately and did not know yet their exact needs. I am not good at interviewing either and I'm not sure I did any better with the open house. However, it is a way to get people in who wouldn't have come because they are not looking actively yet...then they can spread the word to others if they like what they see. I think you have to try everything you can think of sometimes. I do have two kids now and am just looking for one more, but don't need him/her to start until summer or fall, so I think I have been pretty successful so far