I had 2 spots unexpectedly open up in October last year. One filled quickly and the other one sat open. I met with a great family who didn't need care until mid February. I offered the spot to them at $250 bi-weekly until they needed it (I charge $300bi-weekly regularly). They loved my daycare but didn't want to commit to prepaying that far in advance for something they weren't going to use. Understandable. So end of November my spot was still open! I had no interest and other providers were struggling to fill spots too. I emailed the family asking if they found care yet and again offered the spot with payment to begin January 1st. They took it! So they have paid me $250 bi- weekly since January 1st and start full time mid February.

Sometimes you just have to do what fills the spot. I charge all my families $25 a day (instead of $30) when given 1 months notice of their holidays so I just thought of it as the same. They are paying for my time but no food or craft supplies are being supplied.