Interview tonight! What are some things you do/don't do?

[Secondtimearound]

I am fairly laid back the first visit too , I like to sit and interact with the child . I usually gear most of my questions about him or her . My dd will join us to play . If I feel like I could work with the family based on my interaction and their expectations , I will hand out my contract . Usually I hear back that night or the next day and then follow with a call to confirm my policies and expectations . My first interviews were not professional at all , I was so nervous !! But found my way pretty quickly !!
I wish you success !!!!!

[Dreamalittledream]

Just wondering if the rest of you incorporate introducing your own family/tour of entire home as part of your interview? I do, as of course, my family will be interacting with their own children as well...my husband, for example, will take over on the rare appointment I have.

[CrazyEight]

Yep, I tend to schedule interviews for evenings when my husband isn't working, as in the event that I have something come up, he's my back-up. Even if he wasn't, he works odd hours and usually has a weekday off, so I think the prospective clients should meet him as he'll be around their child. My kids are all under 6, so they are a big part of the children's lives, so I always introduce them.
My house is clean, my kids are currently eating dinner so that they (hopefully) won't be cranky, and my contract and info package are all ready...I think we're good to go! It's been a while since I've had to do this, so here's hoping it goes well!

[5 Little Monkeys]

Just wondering if the rest of you incorporate introducing your own family/tour of entire home as part of your interview? I do, as of course, my family will be interacting with their own children as well...my husband, for example, will take over on the rare appointment I have.

It's just me and my fiance and he works evenings. I interview during the day whenever possible and he meets them as well. He is my back up so I feel it's important that they trust him. My daycare is the whole basement so that is where we spend the most time but I do show them upstairs as well as we will from time to time use the kitchen, living room and bathroom. I show them where the office and master bedroom are but we don't go in as there is no reason too.

[Lee-Bee]

Just wondering if the rest of you incorporate introducing your own family/tour of entire home as part of your interview? I do, as of course, my family will be interacting with their own children as well...my husband, for example, will take over on the rare appointment I have.

I have my husband 'pop in' and say hi if he is home. In my first interviews I tried to do a full house tour but I soon found most my parents didn't really need to see everything. My daycare is self contained so they see where we spend the large majority of our day. They nap in various rooms upstairs but even then the families didn't really have the great need to see it...so I tend to save that for when they come back and sign the contract...means less cleaning for me and is just that bit less awkward.

My daughter (12months) was part of the interviews...we started interviews when she was about 7/8 months and for some reason for every single interview she was on her absolute best behavior ever. It was somewhat creepy how well behaved she was for all of them :-)

Aside from occasionally coming down to get my daughter a bit early my husband doesn't really have any interaction with the daycare but I figure families should meet him. I'd want to meet the man living in the house I sent my kid to each day!