I am a chatty cathy and my interviews used to easily last between 1 and 1 1/2 hours but adding the initial telephone interview into my process cut this down to 30-45 minutes. I don't want to chase people out of my house when first impressions are so important, but I am generally very busy in the evenings with my own kids and my 2nd job. I'm also exhausted! If things do go over in time, I can be cheeky in my English accent and say if there are no more questions I'm going to have to call time and boot you out now. I can get away with anything being British lol

If you do a telephone interview initially, all the important questions have already been addressed cutting down the in person time. Also it weeds out any potential families you aren't interested in which in turn prevents flakey families who do not follow policy which I've seen you post issues about elsewhere. Interview process is not just for them but the provider too. I have red flags/deal breakers which I need to establish prior to them coming to meet me and so do they. I ask them what their deal breakers are over the phone and what it is they are looking for in a daycare provider. Some of their requests are warranted but not in line with how I do things, while other things are flat out ridiculous but it is their prerogative to seek whatever childcare they like. This telephone process is so important prior to taking the next step. My interviews are now half the time and I don't waste half as much time now interviewing people who would never be a good fit.