Payment During Coronavirus

[CountryRoads]

So I'm a parent in the same boat. We've been asked to pay up 50% of tuition next week even though the owner (three centers) has told his entire staff to go get unemployment.

So I sent him a note saying that sounds unfair because it is.

25%, sure - you have to pay yourself and the rent. But 50% when none of the staff is being paid? That's just not right. That's taking advantage of a bad situation to line your pockets.

Personally, I think 50% is very fair.

They are a business and still have expenses whether kids are in attendance or not.

[Cat Herder]

Centers just finished paying for their employee's recertifications, training hours, background checks and extra costs associated with QRIS assessment and Accreditation. Many also provide free childcare for employees year round. It could not have hit at a worse time financially for so many.

They will be paid in full for the subsidy kids, but there will be no reimbursement for private pay kids. None.

[Unregistered]

So I'm a parent in the same boat. We've been asked to pay up 50% of tuition next week even though the owner (three centers) has told his entire staff to go get unemployment.

So I sent him a note saying that sounds unfair because it is.

25%, sure - you have to pay yourself and the rent. But 50% when none of the staff is being paid? That's just not right. That's taking advantage of a bad situation to line your pockets.

As the owner of a large daycare center who will be laying off our employees today due to State-mandated closure, I can tell you labor represents 60% of our expenses. The only expenses we're not incurring during this open-ended closure is labor, food and supplies. All other expenses continue to accrue: rent, debt service, utilities, insurance, etc. We're asking for 50% and I think that's more than fair. However, we're not going to get it as most are using their accrued vacation for the first two weeks. I predict parents begin dropping like flies when the vacation runs out. Good luck asking us to come back - that is if we're still here. I'm terrified our business won't survive this.

[Annalee]

Centers just finished paying for their employee's recertifications, training hours, background checks and extra costs associated with QRIS assessment and Accreditation. Many also provide free childcare for employees year round. It could not have hit at a worse time financially for so many.

They will be paid in full for the subsidy kids, but there will be no reimbursement for private pay kids. None.

QRIS is put on hold here. We are receiving no licensing visits, either, unless there is a complaint. We have NO ratios at this point as long as we have volunteers. I am not taking any new kids but many are advertising about daily part-time care.

I have 12 kids but only 8 parents and I'm hoping the small group will be a good thing helping to survive this crisis.

We were closed Thurs and Fri for spring break anyway this week.

I do think there will gradually be a 14 day shutdown implemented but so far my parents are working from home and I'm getting paid. I have been down on children so I hope the communication/working together continues.

To be honest, my crew have been very good thus far. Hoping it continues!

[Cat Herder]

QRIS is put on hold here. We are receiving no licensing visits, either, unless there is a complaint. We have NO ratios at this point as long as we have volunteers. I am not taking any new kids but many are advertising about daily part-time care.

I have 12 kids but only 8 parents and I'm hoping the small group will be a good thing helping to survive this crisis.

We were closed Thurs and Fri for spring break anyway this week.

I do think there will gradually be a 14 day shutdown implemented but so far my parents are working from home and I'm getting paid. I have been down on children so I hope the communication/working together continues.

To be honest, my crew have been very good thus far. Hoping it continues!

Nothing has changed for us.

I have been open, every one autopay's, everyone comes. I closed today, but they have all known about this planned closure for 24 months, now.

The risk of the state forcing me to close seems to be over. They have asked me to take in more kids but I promised my clients I would not. All of them have been here since their first were newborns. All are 18 months and up, now. All are open to close with few absences, so are more like siblings at this point, anyway.

All of my clients (4 families/sibling groups) are working from home now, but all intend to be here every day. They all feel their kids are safer here with us (DH and I) with our medical training and supplies. It is so different than I expected it to go. :::::: I am well prepared to shelter in place with all 6 kids for up to 3 weeks if needed. All the grocery stores have stayed open so far and the local farms are taking appointments, so I don't see us hitting true hardship. I will need my spring break vacation, though. I guess I will have to make it a staycation, now, though.

[Annalee]

Nothing has changed for us.

I have been open, every one autopay's, everyone comes. I closed today, but they have all known about this planned closure for 24 months, now.

The risk of the state forcing me to close seems to be over. They have asked me to take in more kids but I promised my clients I would not. All of them have been here since their first were newborns. All are 18 months and up, now. All are open to close with few absences, so are more like siblings at this point, anyway.

All of my clients (4 families/sibling groups) are working from home now, but all intend to be here every day. They all feel their kids are safer here with us (DH and I) with our medical training and supplies. It is so different than I expected it to go. :::::: I am well prepared to shelter in place with all 6 kids for up to 3 weeks if needed. All the grocery stores have stayed open so far and the local farms are taking appointments, so I don't see us hitting true hardship. I will need my spring break vacation, though. I guess I will have to make it a staycation, now, though.

I'm expecting our governor to impose "shelter in place" order any time. Maybe I'm wrong but we are having more persons to test positive rapidly increasing??? Maybe I'm wrong but:confused:

[Cat Herder]

I'm expecting our governor to impose "shelter in place" order any time. Maybe I'm wrong but we are having more persons to test positive rapidly increasing??? Maybe I'm wrong but:confused:

They expected that. The tests just got here. It is, so far, following predicted spread to my knowledge.

[flying_babyb]

I fear a shelter in place too, but alas my center will be open, were essential and take care of medical,first reponder kids (and were asked by state if we would consider going 24/7 which would mean I can get some good hours )

[delferka]

I'm in the same boat. I am unable to only request 50% payment though. All of my parents are still working (from home) and getting paid, no one is paying someone else to care for their kids. I need help in how to word a letter telling them that tuition still needs to be paid otherwise I need to close

Same exact boat!!!:confused:

[Unregistered]

This is all so hard to decide what to do. One or both of all my parents are working from home, some are off and all still getting paid. It is in my contract that in emergency closures, regular tuition is due. Half my payments were late but I did receive all the families tuition checks last week. I will just see how it goes. A couple weeks is one thing but if it’s decided we have to close longer than that, I know people are going to not be happy about it. I plan to continue with full tuition and if they decide not to pay I will explain that the spot will not be available when it’s time to return. That should encourage everyone to pay. It’s only fair. Stay strong everyone. Praying we stay healthy and this is over soon.

[dmulcahy729]

I sent a letter and told them that in order for me to remain open, tuition is still due. I still have expenses to keep the daycare operating, insurance, heat, electricity, etc. Out of my 4 families, 2 were AMAZING. One ignored the email (we'll see what happens this week if payment is made), and one had a response of "sure".

[Unregistered]

Make sure to review unemployment options

As a parent I'd walk. You aren't the first care giver on this thread to state that "the parents are still getting paid". You realize they are doing a job for the money, right? And on top of doing that job they've either had to take on the full role of caregiver or find alternative home-based care? The kids didn't just vanish.

After reading through the thread and talking with the center director my own kids are enrolled with, 50% seems like a good compromise. It'll keep the center open 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.

This is all so hard to decide what to do. One or both of all my parents are working from home, some are off and all still getting paid. It is in my contract that in emergency closures, regular tuition is due. Half my payments were late but I did receive all the families tuition checks last week. I will just see how it goes. A couple weeks is one thing but if it’s decided we have to close longer than that, I know people are going to not be happy about it. I plan to continue with full tuition and if they decide not to pay I will explain that the spot will not be available when it’s time to return. That should encourage everyone to pay. It’s only fair. Stay strong everyone. Praying we stay healthy and this is over soon.

[Cat Herder]

As a parent I'd walk. You aren't the first care giver on this thread to state that "the parents are still getting paid". You realize they are doing a job for the money, right? And on top of doing that job they've either had to take on the full role of caregiver or find alternative home-based care? The kids didn't just vanish.

After reading through the thread and talking with the center director my own kids are enrolled with, 50% seems like a good compromise. It'll keep the center open 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.

The majority of the posters here are those "alternative" home-based providers. There is no help for us. If we go away, what would you guys do then?

[Unregistered]

Dunno

I have no idea. But I think saying that parents are still making money so they should pay 100% is hurtful and damaging to the relationship. It's not something I say particularly lightly either. If it were up to me then this crisis wouldn't have begun in the first place -- but here we are! And everyone is suffering.

And while I appreciate the general audience of this board, I don't think anyone like to make decisions in an echo chamber. That's why I spoke up. Yes - I think I can speak for all parents and say I appreciate what you do for us and our children. But it's really hard to make a full childcare payment when we're hemorrhaging money ourselves.

[Annalee]

I have no idea. But I think saying that parents are still making money so they should pay 100% is hurtful and damaging to the relationship. It's not something I say particularly lightly either. If it were up to me then this crisis wouldn't have begun in the first place -- but here we are! And everyone is suffering.

And while I appreciate the general audience of this board, I don't think anyone like to make decisions in an echo chamber. That's why I spoke up. Yes - I think I can speak for all parents and say I appreciate what you do for us and our children. But it's really hard to make a full childcare payment when we're hemorrhaging money ourselves.

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