I don't hold spots. I have had people ask and I told them I would charge them $500 a month instead of $600 but that is the best I could do. I certainly wouldn't take a cut in pay to do someone a favour.

My concern with just taking a 2 week deposit is what happens if they end up finding a different daycare in August and then you are left out in the cold? When I first started I had someone book a spot and gave the deposit. I turned so many people away and then 2 weeks before I was set to open up she emailed and said that she found care closer to where she lived. I was ticked. Sure I got the 2 weeks deposit but it was still a mad rush then to fill the spot immediately.