Opening in Aug.. no responses yet?

[Inspired by Reggio]

With the lady who went on the waiting list for September - you could definitely interview her and if you can afford to 'hold the space' just do the deposit and make sure it is NON REFUNDABLE so if she changes her mind and does not start she forfeits the space OR if you cannot afford to hold it without any income from it you can offer the option to meet you in the middle and 'wean' the child into care full time ... so in September/October come part time 2-3 day a week until they need full time care or you can do 5 half days a week so it is 'consistent' exposure to her but 'short days' for her to get use to mom and dad being gone ... so you are foregoing a 'portion' of the income to keep the space for them and they are investing in the slow integration of their child into care ... win win for everyone?

I am doing this with my current mat leave family for September ... they do not need full time care until January but they do not want to loose out on a space and well I have several kids leaving this September for full time big school ... so they are going commit to part time wean in plan from September - January to ensure they secure the space - and this will help ME as well because to be honest I do not want to start 3 new kids on September 4th so delaying his start date works for me too