In my area $40 /day is the average and in my contract I ask for $250 /month (payable on the 1st of every month) to hold a spot for any longer than 3 months. This is just to hold the spot and is non refundable .... So if she is not bringing the older child for the year that would be times two and I would advertise offering a temporary spot(s) for the year and maybe you will be able to fill it at least for part of the time.