cfred... the one month's fees you receive upfront: does that go towards their first month of care or that is the deposit they are paying for you to initially accept them and hold the spot?

I wish I could do this. I have told people that the longest I will hold a spot is 2 months without pay. No one has ever jumped on that to hold a spot, lol.

I think your area will factor in heavily. How many home daycares there are in your area, what you are offering, hours, availability, rates, etc.