How Long Do You Wait For An Interview To Show Up?

[ABCDaycareMN]

I think you did the right thing. I wait 15 minutes then I leave the house. I don't chase them down. I write in my interview log that they no showed on me.

In the future, can I suggest that you schedule interviews based on what's convenient for you? That way you don't put off any planned time or supper in case it happens again? Maybe harder than it sounds, but just a thought. Don't inconvenience yourself for others.

How would you set the time?

[daycare123]

I learned my lesson. I will no longer wait longer than 10 minutes. Especially if it's on a Friday and we are packed to go out of town. I used to try call but of course nobody would answer. Complete disrespect and you probably wouldn't want them as clients anyhow. Better luck for your next interview!!

[jenn]

I give them 10-15 minutes. That allows them time in case they got lost trying to find my house, bad traffic,... Anything past that just shows disrespect for my time, and that just opens the door to problems.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I learned my lesson. I will no longer wait longer than 10 minutes. Especially if it's on a Friday and we are packed to go out of town. I used to try call but of course nobody would answer. Complete disrespect and you probably wouldn't want them as clients anyhow. Better luck for your next interview!!

Thank you I hope they actually show.

I'm not a late person. I am always early. I got annoyed when the clock hit 6:30 last night. My husband is a late person thats why he had us wait so long.

He read over my policies/contract and laughed when it said I charge 1$ per min late to pick up.

[Zoe]

How would you set the time?

If I have plans, I won't change them to get an interview. If you have a set supper time, then don't plan interviews during supper time. I don't know what your schedule is but how it works for me is I'll plan interviews for after daycare hours (after 5) and only if I don't already have plans for the day. 5:15 works best for me because the interviews last 45 minutes then we can have supper. Or weekends when I don't have something going on. That way I can plan around the interview and I don't get too upset if they no show because it didn't ruin my plans. It's still annoying as all get out, but I don't get too bent out of shape because it didn't ruin anything for my family.

[wdmmom]

If the prospective family makes the appointment with me, I expect them to be on time. I don't wait 5 or 10 minutes. My time is valuable and if you can't show up on time, I don't want to work for you. In a day and age where cell phones are used far too much, if you can't pick up the phone and tell me you got lost, had something come up, need to reschedule, etc, I don't wait around.

I turned 2 families away in my lifetime because they were late and I don't do late.

[mema]

I had one last night also that didn't show up. She did call tho, so I am giving her 1 more chance tomorrow. I told her if she is more than 5 minutes late, I will not be answering the door.

[ABCDaycareMN]

I had one last night also that didn't show up. She did call tho, so I am giving her 1 more chance tomorrow. I told her if she is more than 5 minutes late, I will not be answering the door.

At least she had the common curtesy to contact you. I don't mesh well with disrespect. Oh well there are more fish in the sea...

[DCMom]

I was done after 10 mins. My husband was the one who said we should wait a half hour. But I also will not try and contact them. I'm not chasing down my prospective clients... Those are probably the harder ones to work with anyway.

Honestly, if they had rung the bell at 11 minutes I would not have answered the door. Just me. If they are so rude as to be that late without a phone call begging your forgiveness, they are not the clients you want to have.

I hope your next interview turns out better!

[ABCDaycareMN]

Honestly, if they had rung the bell at 11 minutes I would not have answered the door. Just me. If they are so rude as to be that late without a phone call begging your forgiveness, they are not the clients you want to have.

I hope your next interview turns out better!

I just got into a huge argument with my mom about it. She is thinking the family may have had the wrong day and may come tonight. I said I would turn them away at the door they can't be responsible to show up on te correct day they are not a family I am wanting to work with. All I see are issues with tardiness, payment, picking up late.... The list goes on. My mom just stuck her ground and said beggars can't be choosers... She is not in this business and has no idea.... I ended the conversation with why don't you ask your daycare friend!

I dot need to feel like te bad guy. And I'm not.

[DCMom]

I just got into a huge argument with my mom about it. She is thinking the family may have had the wrong day and may come tonight. I said I would turn them away at the door they can't be responsible to show up on te correct day they are not a family I am wanting to work with. All I see are issues with tardiness, payment, picking up late.... The list goes on. My mom just stuck her ground and said beggars can't be choosers... She is not in this business and has no idea.... I ended the conversation with why don't you ask your daycare friend!

I dot need to feel like te bad guy. And I'm not.

Good for you! You are right, you are not in the wrong. If you don't stand up for yourself, no one else will.

[My3cents]

Meeting was scheduled for 6:30 tonight. Just wondering how long to wait for them to show up. Already getting a negative feeling about this family.

I learned the hard way. I give 15 minutes and then I move on.

IF they show up I will reschedule with them but I am not going to put a hold on my life for anymore then 15 minutes of my family's time. If they don't show up the 2nd time around. I don't bother with it anymore.

I also learned the hard way to make these interviews short and sweet and not let them go on forever. 30 minutes is more then enough time to set with someone unless you want to. I had one lady come in and waste and hour and half of my time after being late and I thought what am I doing??? I had to learn- One of my first interviews.

[My3cents]

I just got into a huge argument with my mom about it. She is thinking the family may have had the wrong day and may come tonight. I said I would turn them away at the door they can't be responsible to show up on te correct day they are not a family I am wanting to work with. All I see are issues with tardiness, payment, picking up late.... The list goes on. My mom just stuck her ground and said beggars can't be choosers... She is not in this business and has no idea.... I ended the conversation with why don't you ask your daycare friend!

I dot need to feel like te bad guy. And I'm not.

it is easy for other people outside of daycare to chime in. Do what I do and see if you feel the same way:: Most people that visit can't understand how I do it. Other then down time like now I am on my feet and busy all day-

[MarinaVanessa]

I too would have waited 15 minutes and then that's it. When I schedule interviews I schedule them at a time that is convenient to me and I schedule it for it specific time period. If someone calls and wants an interview during the week I don't schedule one before 6pm so that we can have dinner first before the interview (any DC kids still here at 5:30pm get supper) and I'll tell them "Okay I can do 6pm-7pm on any day this week" or "Alright I have 6pm-7pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday open. What works better for you?" etc. If they are late then that's time that they lose of their interview. "Late arrivals don't allow for late pick-ups" ::. If they don't show up at all I also keep a list and they are "black-listed". If they call me to let me know that they can't make it then, and only then, I will reschedule.

[Scout]

Nope they never showed up! I waited til 7. And then we left for dinner. Well then good luck in your search! Common curtsey would be to cancel.... What is up with people nowadays! I expect you to be on time, late to an interview, probably late on many other things. Payment... Schedule... I can understand getting lost. Something coming up. Found another provider. Well then... You are now on my black list...

I just hate my time wasted. Dinner delayed. Necessary shopping put off til tomorrow. And crabby kids because their night was pushed back because of it.

Another interview on Friday. I hope that one goes well.

In october I had a mom that was going to drop her baby off at 8:30 am without coming for an interview and leave him with me after only sitting with me for 30 minutes before leaving!! I should probably be glad she didn't show! I sent a text telling her I thought it was rude.