I personally do not have it in my budget normally to hold a spot for that long that is actually 'sitting empty' now ~ that is a long time to go without income specially if you commit to it and next week get 3 inquiries wanting full time for December 1 and now you know you are going to be 'loosing out' on the income having made this commitment.

However when it works for ME and I want to refrain from filling it right away than I have done the 50% holding fee ... so they basically meet me in the middle by paying for 1/2 the monthly fees I am 'loosing' by holding the spot open for them and I also allow them to use that to wean the child in by coming 1/2 day mornings if desired or 2 full days a week depending on how the child copes.