I do not charge a 'registration fee' but do charge a security deposit equal to two weeks fees at the time of 'registration' aka signing the contract and committing to care .... this is non refundable and can only be applied to the last two weeks of care provided proper written notice to terminate is given... I do this for two reasons to ensure that clients have not signed a contract with several providers to 'cover their bases' while choosing whom they 'really want' cause by putting $$$ down on the space that they will not get BACK if they change their mind before starting I feel more confident they serious about starting with me and B) once they have started I want to ensure I have AMPLE notice that they are leaving the program so I can advertize and fill my spot to protect my income.

As for holding fees ... my 'written policy' is that I will not hold a space without fees - if I have a full time space open for August 5th and you do not need care until October and you WANT full time care with me than you sign the contract in July when I am advertizing, you pay the security deposit and start paying for the SPACE you are occupying as of August 5th.

Now that said - in the past I have 'negotiated' a compromise on that policy with the RIGHT client where they paid a 'weaning in fee' for the space and used the time in between when the space opened and they needed it to wean their child in before having to start full time ... this allowed the child to start coming for a couple hours a morning for a while, than for 1/2 days for a week, than for 3/4 days and so forth until they were weaned up to full days.