Oh yes, the deposit. I write that down on their payment sheet and make sure it's marked as deposit so I know when they leave how much they owe as it gets used towards their last month in care.

If a deposit is first used as a holding fee (if the spot isn't opening up ASAP) than I print off 2 letters. One for them, one for me and it explains that they've paid xxx amount to hold a spot. Once they start, it is than their deposit but if they decide not to start with me for some reason, they forfeit their holding fee.