I don't charge a deposit just a holding fee. So I ask for two wks pay to hold their spot till they start. But if their start date is two wks or under from signing of contract I don't take the fee. I never understood the difference between a holding fee and deposit. In my contact it says deposit but I guess it's more of a holding fee. Lol. Maybe I'll switch to doing both. But I just don't see a parent being ok with paying a holding fee for mths. So they give me money that's not used towards any of their care or isn't refundable and aren't using my services? It seems weird. But I guess if they really wanted me theyd pay.