I have had a different experience then apples and bananas .... I had two different families in my first year to hold spots .... One for 3.5 months and the other for 5.5 months for only a two week deposit and both families gave me the shaft ... I then changed my policy to my current holding fee policy and I have had two families use it and both are still with me .... The first one held the spot for 4 months and the second one for 2 months ..... I found both families were more committed to preparing their baby for group care..... And both are golden families !