Default Style Register
Daycare.com Forum
Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>How Long Do You Wait For An Interview To Show Up?
ABCDaycareMN 04:41 PM 02-27-2013
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.
Reply
CedarCreek 05:44 PM 02-27-2013
I give it 10 minutes before I call, if no answer another 10 then I forget it.
Reply
butterfly 06:13 PM 02-27-2013
If they are late with no phone call, I'd tell them I wasn't interested - if they did show. If they can't even show to the interview on time, it doesn't look as though our relationship is going to be a good one going forward.
Reply
sahm1225 06:14 PM 02-27-2013
Did they show up?

About 15 minutes and I make sure to point out that they were late.

When my son was in daycare I was 15 minutes late for our interview. I got lost! I apologized like crazy! Then my son (he was 18 months) hit the dcp dd on the head w a Lego after she pushed him. Yep. Great first impression huh?! Well she took us in anyway and we are still friends almost 5 years later! We both laugh about the interview now
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 07:29 PM 02-27-2013
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.
Reply
butterfly 07:36 PM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
late to an interview, probably late on many other things. Payment... Schedule... You are now on my black list...


Hoping that your next interview works out beautifully!!
Reply
melilley 07:51 PM 02-27-2013
That's happened to me twice in a month so far! People can be so rude! They should at least call and cancel! One day I waited around for 2 hours, I learned my lesson!
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 08:51 PM 02-27-2013
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.
Reply
blandino 08:58 PM 02-27-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
Yes, and are already showing a lack of respect for you and your time. Which is an indicator of things to come IMHO.

We have a policy to not reschedule with no-shows for that reason.
Reply
momofboys 04:53 AM 02-28-2013
Bummer, I hate that - sorry it happened to you!!! That happened to me this week also - no show 30 some minutes after interview time & no text/call, nada! I e-mailed the mom & she wrote right back. She said her interview (for job) ran longer than she expected & she was sorry but here's the thing - it I was in an interview I would have excused myself & said I had to contact someone else I was supposed to meet. I told her I don't make second interviews especially since she didn't cancel the first one & left me waiting & I prepared my home, etc. It is like starting off on the wrong foot. Hopefully your interview later this week goes well!
Reply
Meeko 06:15 AM 02-28-2013
I wait for 15 minutes and then it's over.

If they show up at the door late, I tell them they have missed their appointment.

If they don't show at all, I don't call them and they literally get put on a blacklist. If they have no respect for my time, I don't want them as a client.
Reply
renodeb 06:43 AM 02-28-2013
Usually 30 minutes and then I chalk it up to a loss. I never call though. Its up to them to show up on time or cancel. I had one interview that showed up on the wrong day! (a day before they were supposed to) Lets just say I was a bit suprised. I went ahead with the interview and they have turned out to be great clients. To this day I dont think she knew she got her days mixed up.
I have never had a no show call for a reschedule. Sometimes I think they are just rate shoppers or other providers.
Deb
Reply
Brooksie 06:50 AM 02-28-2013
I wait about 10-15 minutes and then say forget it. The time off I have where I am able to fit interviews in is very important time. I have other things to do like dinner/bed time routines and errands/yard work on the weekends. If they can't come to the interview on time or at least call if they're running late then clearly thats not the kind of family I want to deal with full time. That happened to me a couple weeks ago. Its disappointing but you have to find the positive. They're probably that family thats wishy washy or always picks up the kid 20 minutes after closing
Reply
Evansmom 06:50 AM 02-28-2013
15 min and I think that's 5 minutes too long. No call and more than 15 minutes I know not to work with them! If they are late at all I'm suspicious.
Reply
Zoe 06:53 AM 02-28-2013
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.
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 07:23 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by Zoe:
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?
Reply
daycare123 07:24 AM 02-28-2013
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!!
Reply
jenn 07:31 AM 02-28-2013
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.
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 07:34 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by 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!!
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.
Reply
Zoe 08:03 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
Reply
wdmmom 08:13 AM 02-28-2013
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.
Reply
mema 08:27 AM 02-28-2013
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.
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 08:40 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by 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.
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...
Reply
DCMom 08:54 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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!
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 09:22 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by DCMom:
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.
Reply
DCMom 09:50 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
Reply
My3cents 10:00 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
Reply
My3cents 10:03 AM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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-
Reply
MarinaVanessa 02:08 PM 02-28-2013
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.
Reply
Scout 04:38 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 06:58 PM 02-28-2013
I wait 10 minutes and then I will not open the door.
Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 07:00 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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.
I confirm interviews in an e-mail and add this:
We look forward to meeting you and your family during our interview!

This time is reserved just for your family. If your scheduled appointment time needs to be changed, please provide no less than 24 hours notice. Barring extenuating circumstances, missed appointments or late arrivals will not be rescheduled.

Reply
EntropyControlSpecialist 07:01 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by momofboys:
Bummer, I hate that - sorry it happened to you!!! That happened to me this week also - no show 30 some minutes after interview time & no text/call, nada! I e-mailed the mom & she wrote right back. She said her interview (for job) ran longer than she expected & she was sorry but here's the thing - it I was in an interview I would have excused myself & said I had to contact someone else I was supposed to meet. I told her I don't make second interviews especially since she didn't cancel the first one & left me waiting & I prepared my home, etc. It is like starting off on the wrong foot. Hopefully your interview later this week goes well!
I had that EXACT situation happen. The Mom then blew up on me because I would not reschedule for her. WHY would you schedule a daycare interview so close to a job interview? Why not reschedule? It just makes no sense.
Reply
ABCDaycareMN 07:13 PM 02-28-2013
Originally Posted by EntropyControlSpecialist:
I confirm interviews in an e-mail and add this:
We look forward to meeting you and your family during our interview!

This time is reserved just for your family. If your scheduled appointment time needs to be changed, please provide no less than 24 hours notice. Barring extenuating circumstances, missed appointments or late arrivals will not be rescheduled.
I guess I didn't feel the need to confirm since we had just scheduled the interview the day prior... And I made sure I said in email that if anything changed let me know.
Reply
MyAngels 08:33 PM 02-28-2013
I have not done many interviews lately but I started requiring families to give me a call on the day of the interview to confirm our appointment. If they don't call I consider the appointment cancelled. So far everyone has called to confirm, so I guess it's working? I've never had a lot of no shows, though, so maybe people around here are just not that rude .
Reply
mema 04:18 PM 03-01-2013
Originally Posted by ABCDaycareMN:
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...
She had called me 15 minutes after she was suppose to be here. I should have taken that as a sign, because tonight was a no show/no call. Whatever. I didn't do anything special for her and I just kept plugging along with what I was doing and figured if she showed, I'd stop. She didn't show, so I didn't stop.
Reply
DCBlessings27 06:01 PM 03-01-2013
I wait about 15 minutes before calling them. I might change this though and not bother if they're going to waste my time.

I know some providers who don't inform prospective parents of their address until the day of to ensure that the parents are serious about coming.
Reply
Tags:interview - no show
Reply Up