I think we've all had those instances where we thought a place was filled only for that not to happen.

I weed out the crazies too and I know I reduce my potential client pool considerably based on it. If my criteria wasn't so harsh, I'd fill my places faster for sure but I want good fit clients not just bums on seats.

I tend to phone interview first as that eliminates those who think my hours and rates are negotiable. I also decline mature students who likely will cancel May to September. I won't take teachers children unless they agree to pay throughout the summer - they are welcome to still send their children of course, but none of the pulling for summer and expecting to return when school starts up again.

Once a phone interview has gone well, only then do I do one in person so they can see the setup here. Parents are told, that if they want a place, I need the deposit and contract within a week. No contract, no deposit, = no place.

I require one month paid cancellation notice - so once they have given me a contract and deposit, if their situation changes, they have a full 4 weeks fees to pay. Of course, I've waivered that in some instances - usually if I've filled the place before they were due to start but if their change of mind leaves me out of pocket, then at least I can change if I need to. It does make parents think about if this is really what they want and I've found it eliminates the time-wasters.