I had a family pay a 50% retainer from March to October and that was back in 2009, I still look after her youngest now. Some people don't have the luxury of being able to afford it. Even if I could as a parent, I'm not sure I could justify spending that much money for a service I couldn't use or didn't need to use at that time for 6 months. I think a lot of parents would take the risk over forking out a few thousand dollars well in advance even if it meant going with a less then mediocre daycare provider. A couple of months is very different. I have had a couple more pay a 50% retainer but not in the last 18months there has been a sudden increase of daycares opening in my area so it's not like there is limited choice and when you find a good daycare you have to grab the spot while you can even if it means a longer period of paying a retainer to guarantee the spot.