No show for interview??!!

[Polkaroo]

Same thing happened to me, twice in one month! I was very disappointed and PO'd. I also sent them an email with no reply. Because of all the crazy people out there, this was an eye opener for me. So now I do not give my phone number, address or appointment time until I speak to the person over the phone directly. Since I started doing this it hasn't happened. Every time I get an email asking to schedule a visit, I reply with general information (hours, fees) and thank them for contacting me. I then say that if they are interested we can schedule a phone call to discuss their needs and my services. I ask them for their phone number and schedule a visit after I've spoken to them. Sometimes they don't reply. I feel much more comfortable since I've started doing this and I haven't had a 'no show' since!

[torontokids]

I do as Purple Bunny does and hold a phone interview with the parent before having them come in. I review my contract and policies with them on the phone and if they are agreeable then I invite them for an interview.

I also do not advertise my phone number mainly because I want to be able to speak to parents when I am free and on my terms, not when they suddenly call and I am in the backyard with my gaggle of kids.

[sunnydays]

I wouldn't give this family another chance either. It shows that they are very inconsiderate, whether distracted or not, and don't value your time at all. I did like Playfelt's repsonse though because it is polite and professional and you are not actuallly promising another interview. All you are saying is that they can call you to schedule something. If and when they call, you can always say the space is filled or you have other interviews lined up that you will do first and get back to them (turning the tables on them...LOL). I was stood up once in the very beginning of doing daycare...it does not feel nice Now I always let families know I have 3-4 families interviewing for one spot (which is pretty much always true) and nobody dares to not show up in case they lose their chance