Payment During Coronavirus

[Unregistered]

Still dunno

From a daycare provider standpoint: it can be damaging to the relationship if the client doesn't pay as well.

I'm not saying that the client shouldn't pay anything -- unless this goes for months. In which case there's some serious issues with our government safety net. (Yes - I know there are a million issues here... but that's not the clients fault either).

Given the circumstances 100% just seems like too much. 50% seems more than fair considering that we aren't talking about the parents taking an extended vacation here... they're needing to self-isolate because of a world pandemic.

[Cat Herder]

I'm not saying that the client shouldn't pay anything -- unless this goes for months. In which case there's some serious issues with our government safety net. (Yes - I know there are a million issues here... but that's not the clients fault either).

Given the circumstances 100% just seems like too much. 50% seems more than fair considering that we aren't talking about the parents taking an extended vacation here... they're needing to self-isolate because of a world pandemic.

I feel I am being fair to my clients. I am open, all of them are working from home and all of their kids are here. Full tuition is being paid and full services offered. If they choose not to come, they still pay.

If I choose to close, I won't charge.

If I am forced to close, I will charge 50%.

Anyone who chooses not to pay their invoice based on the above will be terminated, immediately. I have met them halfway.

[Annalee]

I feel I am being fair to my clients. I am open, all of them are working from home and all of their kids are here. Full tuition is being paid and full services offered. If they choose not to come, they still pay.

If I choose to close, I won't charge.

If I am forced to close, I will charge 50%.

Anyone who chooses not to pay their invoice based on the above will be terminated, immediately. I have met them halfway.

I don't plan on choosing to close unless my family or families in my care are diagnosed with coronavirus, but if I'm forced to close then I will expect full payment.

[Gemma]

I'm still open there for I expect payment in full, even from the families that choose to keep their child home.
I did suggest that they use vacation time, since I allow 4 weeks at no charge, I was surprised only 1 family went for it.

[GuestParent2]

Absolutely!

That's an ENTIRELY different situation Cat Herder! And yeah - if your state hasn't shut down chid care centers yet, sure! But I'm referring to all the places where care has been temporarily (but long term) shuttered for all but essential personnel. In those cases, asking for 100% tuition is INSANE to me, because there's nobody there. They aren't allowed to be.

So there are two different conversations happening I think - one where care is still open and if parents choose not to attend then they don't have to but normal rules apply (although - I'm not certain keeping daycares open or attending is smart.. but that's my opinion). The other is care in states where it has been shut down by the state. In those places it needs to have a cost reduction and those carers need to apply for unemployment (as such as the states have changed their usual approval mandates to approve these claims.. which is many).

I feel I am being fair to my clients. I am open, all of them are working from home and all of their kids are here. Full tuition is being paid and full services offered. If they choose not to come, they still pay.

If I choose to close, I won't charge.

If I am forced to close, I will charge 50%.

Anyone who chooses not to pay their invoice based on the above will be terminated, immediately. I have met them halfway.

[Blackcat31]

The other is care in states where it has been shut down by the state. In those places it needs to have a cost reduction and those carers need to apply for unemployment (as such as the states have changed their usual approval mandates to approve these claims.. which is many).

Those providers in those states are not eligible for unemployment benefits. That is where the issue lies for so many of these providers.

Many would choose to stay open but they aren't allowed.

I don't see them charging full tuition as the wrong thing to do.

[Cat Herder]

That's an ENTIRELY different situation Cat Herder! And yeah - if your state hasn't shut down chid care centers yet, sure! But I'm referring to all the places where care has been temporarily (but long term) shuttered for all but essential personnel. In those cases, asking for 100% tuition is INSANE to me, because there's nobody there. They aren't allowed to be.

So there are two different conversations happening I think - one where care is still open and if parents choose not to attend then they don't have to but normal rules apply (although - I'm not certain keeping daycares open or attending is smart.. but that's my opinion). The other is care in states where it has been shut down by the state. In those places it needs to have a cost reduction and those carers need to apply for unemployment (as such as the states have changed their usual approval mandates to approve these claims.. which is many).

Then you will just love what my state is doing. ::::

They gave permission for owners to only close the subsidized classrooms guaranteeing full state pay for those kids without attendance. Then they are encouraging those centers to fill those slots/classrooms with private pay clients of essential employees.

Many shut down and laid off employees because they made the decision before the "will still be paid for state clients" announcement, here. It was their choice, though. No one was mandated to close, here. The opposite, they are asking us to take on more kids.

[GuestParent2]

Table Flip

And my republican friends laugh at me when I say daycare should part of the public school system and free for everyone who needs it.

What you folks are going through is insane. There are no words of wisdom (except, really, look at the updated unemployment and hope that those stimulus checks come through).

But, if nothing else, there's an understanding - everyone is going through a tough time right now. Everyone. And if you aren't right now, you soon will be.

Hope you and your families all stay safe and healthy!!

[Cat Herder]

And my republican friends laugh at me when I say daycare should part of the public school system and free for everyone who needs it.

If that were the case, no one would have childcare right now. I also would never buy another home.

[e.j.]

and, honestly, most states who've mandated daycare closures have updated their unemployment insurance benefits to include daycare owners. I encourage you to take a look. If it is, that usually accommodates the recipient with 75% of pay - which is better for you in the long run.

May I ask where you got your information?
This is what I just received from EEC in my state which has mandated that most day cares close:

"Currently self-employed individuals and 1099 contract employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits. If the President of the United States makes a disaster unemployment declaration for Massachusetts or nationwide, the self-employed and 1099 contractors would become eligible for unemployment assistance. This is already coded into the DUA system and would be available immediately upon declaration and press release announcement."

I sure hope the President makes a disaster declaration if it means I'd be eligible for unemployment benefits but so far, that's not the case.

[GuestParent]

Many would choose to stay open but they aren't allowed.
I don't see them charging full tuition as the wrong thing to do.

There isn't a good answer. You shouldn't lose your income because of a global disaster, and have no safety net. Parents shouldn't pay for childcare they can't use for weeks/months on end. Parents are now working round the clock trying to keep up with their full time jobs, while also doing (a part of) the job they usually pay you to do.

I have confidence unemployment rules will be adjusted as they are indicating - but they need to move faster so providers can make plans without jeopardizing themselves.

Until more is known, I hope that parents who can afford to pay, do pay, at least for some reasonable closure period. I hope that providers that are able to give parents a break, do give parents a break on tuition. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

[Blackcat31]

There isn't a good answer. You shouldn't lose your income because of a global disaster, and have no safety net. Parents shouldn't pay for childcare they can't use for weeks/months on end. Parents are now working round the clock trying to keep up with their full time jobs, while also doing (a part of) the job they usually pay you to do.

I have confidence unemployment rules will be adjusted as they are indicating - but they need to move faster so providers can make plans without jeopardizing themselves.

Until more is known, I hope that parents who can afford to pay, do pay, at least for some reasonable closure period. I hope that providers that are able to give parents a break, do give parents a break on tuition. I hope everyone stays safe and healthy!

For months, yes I agree but paying for child care isn't just about paying for the day to day services they receive.

That line of thinking is why this is such a dilemma for so many on both sides.

[Unregistered]

If I remember correctly you have to be an S Corp in order to become an a “employee“ that you can pay yourself and pay into the unemployment insurance.

May I ask where you got your information?
This is what I just received from EEC in my state which has mandated that most day cares close:

"Currently self-employed individuals and 1099 contract employees are not eligible for unemployment benefits. If the President of the United States makes a disaster unemployment declaration for Massachusetts or nationwide, the self-employed and 1099 contractors would become eligible for unemployment assistance. This is already coded into the DUA system and would be available immediately upon declaration and press release announcement."

I sure hope the President makes a disaster declaration if it means I'd be eligible for unemployment benefits but so far, that's not the case.

[Unregistered]

You do realize schools are closed so nobody would have daycare.

And my republican friends laugh at me when I say daycare should part of the public school system and free for everyone who needs it.

What you folks are going through is insane. There are no words of wisdom (except, really, look at the updated unemployment and hope that those stimulus checks come through).

But, if nothing else, there's an understanding - everyone is going through a tough time right now. Everyone. And if you aren't right now, you soon will be.

Hope you and your families all stay safe and healthy!!

[Firefly]

Since I am closed I told parents I would charge 50%. How long is fair to keep doing this? I really have no idea how long I will be closed until I see how this all plays out. I’m not comfortable being open right now and I know sooner or later I won’t have any income.