Question regarding holding spots

[Teagansmom]

Good afternoon,

As some of you know I still have no dc kids after relocating. Today I had someone inquire about a spot for September. I let her know as of now I have spots available but I may be full come then. I let her know I hold spots for $250 a month. She called back interested and wants to set up an appointment to tour the daycare.

My question is this.... Should I charge her this fee as soon as she confirms that she would like to take the spot? Or should I only charge her when I have 4 spots full?

To be honest I could use any money now as I'm struggling but I do feel bad to take it when I have all 5 spots available.

[torontokids]

I would take it now (you could fill tomorrow) and work on getting a kid who is leaving for school in Sept to take the spot. Is there a possibility you could close down by next Sept if you don't fill your spots? That could put you/this parent in a situation.

[Crayola kiddies]

the way I see it is if she wants a guaranteed spot for sept and its available now she should pay the holding fee. the fee is her insurance that her child a place to go when the time comes and now she can just sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of her mat leave (im assuming that this is an infant...maybe not but regardless her worries are over) if she doesn't want to pay the holding fee then she has to take her chances and there may not be a lot of options come august as everyone as already secured their spaces in daycares. maybe you could offer her a holding fee till the end of june and then 3/days/week starting in the summer ....

[Teagansmom]

Thanks for your input ladies. I feel better about charging the holding fee.
How much do you charge for holding fees? This will be the first time for me. Also do I still charge the two week deposit or wait until the first day of care?

[5 Little Monkeys]

I think you should start now. I start to charge for a space once it's available. You have 5 spots open and if she wants one, the fee starts now.

[daycaremom9]

I don't hold spots for more than a couple of months but that's just because I've never found a parent that's willing to pay to hold a spot. Good for you that you have. I would say to definitely have them pay for the spot. Just because you have5 spots available doesn't mean that you won't be able to fill them by Sept.