I have a deposit that is paid when the contract is signed and it is applied to the last week of care at the end of our relationship. But if I'm holding a space for a month I charge a fee that is non-refundable for that.

I learned the hard way that you can't be too nice, because the families have to take care of themselves and their needs, of course they do. But we have to take care of ourselves too. The best advice I got from friends in the business when I was learning was that you have to be a BUSINESSWOMAN when dealing with the parents and demand that your contract rules and policies be followed to the letter. It's really important because if you let one thing slide they will be pushing you on everything. Save all your nurturing for the children, never for the parents.