Aw man... I wish I could do something like that. Most places here require full payment of tuition to hold a spot or else you have to cross your fingers they have something available when you are ready. I can't afford to just give 700-800 a month right now so I have to have multiple options ready when the time comes. Very overwhelming!
I reserved a newborn spot locally at 28 weeks. I had about 8 choices (small city) and only two had newborn openings. Around here, you have to reserve early... I don't know about elsewhere. But all I did was fill out an application, do a tour, and that's about it. :)