Hello mommas!
I have a question. We were afffected by last week's Hurricane Sandy, we are all okay thankfully, but my daycare facility was closed for two days. They are tellling me that I am responsible for paying for the full tuition amount for the week. I feel that this is completely unfair. I understand that if there was a reason why my DD couldn't attend daycare (illness, vacation, etc) that I am responsible, but this was an extraordinary circumstance that was totally out of my control. Am I wrong to think this?
Thanks for the replies. I did find out from an employee that their pay was docked for those days that the center was closed. So, I am not sure what expenses the facility had to incur. No electricity, no salaries . . . Not trying to be a PITA, just want to make sure this is fair. Thanks again for the replies, appreciate the advice/perspective.
When my kids were in daycare we had to pay even when they were closed including snow days. So this would be similar. They still are having to pay their employees.
If you read your contract, you are likely obligated to pay for the services unless they close for their own "personal reasons". Last year when our center was closed for a week due to a freak blizzard in October, we had to pay the tuition. This year when we were closed because of Hurricane Sandy, we paid tuition.
They still have to pay their bills. They weren't on vacation, they were closed due to weather. It's not unfair, it's probably outlined in your contract.
Yup. It's like a snow day. Daycare center is correct.
What does your contract say?
Most likely you need to pay. I mean they still need to pay their bills, and teachers' salaries, right?
I think this is pretty common practice in a daycare/preschool situation.
Yes, I would side with the center in this case. Most likely they will still pay the teachers those days even though they didn't work because it wasn't the teachers' fault that the place was closed. Hopefully your employer is also paying you for any days that your office was closed too. My office was open but there were others that were closed (and still are closed) and those employees are being paid for those closed days.
Well, they still have to pay their rent as an expense.
I assume you couldn't make it to work, either, during the storm - did you have to take PTO or was your pay docked as well?
It kinda does suck, but it makes sense. You mentioned the most important part - that everyone is ok.
While its not fair, that is the standard. Its the same for if they close early due to snow. They don't prorate that day.
Ooooohhhh tough one.....
If THEY were closed, then YOU should not be responsible. If they were open and you decided not to bring your kids, then you would be responsible.
If you like your relationship with them, then maybe come to an agreement for 1/2 pay on those days. What does your contract say?
People are too entitled these days. Was a service provided? No? Then no payment is rendered.
I don't think you should have to pay, especially since they didn't pay their staff for the days. This was not your choice; the center was closed. They didn't offer any alternatives and it wasn't scheduled.
Child care is paid by the week year round. You may have a week or two weeks per year that you can be gone for vacation but that is totally according to the parent handbook, some don't have that option at all.
All child care settings do this. This is typical of all child care.
Any time daycare was closed for whatever reason when DD was an infant, I paid the full rate. Same went for if she couldn't attend. The fee secures your spot and if you do the math like I did, I bet you pay very little per hour. I paid for my DD's preschool for the month upfront even though they had 2 inclement weather days.
Even if they docked their employee's pay, that's an employee problem - when I was working as a contractor, I had to take PTO or make up the hours when our parent company was open even if the client was not. Working on site did not exempt me from the corporate leave rules.
Yea, sadly. The daycare didn't chose to close, it was not in their control. You still have to pay. You'd pay if your kid was sick or if you took a day off, so you still owe for this.
Check your contract...I'm sure it's in there. But yes, you pay.
We were hit harder by Irene than Sandy and my daycare lady closed for 2 days. She came to my house on the 3rd and 4th days and let all of the kids come here too. She's amazing. But we still owed for the full week regardless.
It was out of their control as well. Usually no matter the circumstances you are paying for that spot. Unless they have it written up in their policy that you don't have to pay if the facility is unavailable then you have to pay because you're paying for your spot at the center.
K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
i live near you somewhat! anyway in my contract when my daughter was in perschool and now with aftercare the installments are the same each month whether there be 4 weeks or 5 weeks in a month. its like school tuition where i am. so when they are closed for snow or emergencies i still have to pay because its a monthly bill.
check your contract...ecpsecially if you pay per day and not month
Read your contract. It may not be "fair", but it's probably legal. They are suffering the consequence of extraordinary circumstances as well. There is usually a clause regarding extreme weather closings. It's unfortunate, but that's just the way it is. They still have operating costs to pay.
