I do not hold a spot either - I am currently advertizing for a spot coming open for May 7th and you need care June 1st ideally you offer to start paying for it on May 7th or I keep looking for a client who is a better match and the spot goes to them ... now if they were the PERFECT match I might be willing to meet in the middle and use the time between May 7th and June 1st to slowly transition in babe - so they'd pay 'part fees' and wean up from couple hours a day to half half to nap to full day to starting type thing but they PAY for those hours of care used and it is a nice compromise cause it is always better on babe when they can wean into care slowly verses BAM 9 hours a day with a stranger!