Question

Hey Moms!  Our daycare has been closed (obviously), and our daughter has been home with us since March 13.Hey Moms! Our daycare has been closed (obviously), and our daughter has been home with us since March 13. Now they are saying that they are going to charge a $75/week fee to hold our spot until they reopen (no expected date given). Has anyone else’s daycare done this? I’m guessing they won’t actually reopen for another 10+ weeks to nonessential workers, and I have no interest in paying $750+ to hold a spot.  

Answer 1

They need to still make money to pay rent ect. I understand why they do this however I wouldn’t personally pay it and I’d just loose the spot ‍♀️

Comments

Just like the rest of us, they can apply for SBA and PPP. No one is being charged to hold a spot at my riding facility - this is out of my control.  

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@pineda14 I’m simply stating that’s the logic they are using on parents . I don’t need daycare but my opinion is I wouldn’t pay to hold a spot because it’s moronic .  

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@annapolis I think they are scaring parents into signing something. We agree, I would not hold a spot ither.  

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@pineda14 yes I can most certainly agree with that for sure . Parents should not be fear mongered

Answer 2

Yikes! I was afraid this might start to happen.  

Answer 3

No, not yet at least. The only thing they've mention is having to sign updated forms about new regulations to be followed.  

Answer 4

Ours hasn't (the learning experience in Montgomery)

Answer 5

Ours refunded the pre-payments we did (adjusted for the days we were there). No other money requested while services are not being provided.  

Answer 6

Ours is charging 30% of the fees. I understand that this is because they have overheads but I’m not sure if this is the right thing.  

Answer 7

Is this KinderCare?!? Because my friend was asked same thing! $75/wk until they open to ensure her kid can go. but they’re still enrolling and have many spots open. I called the location and asked about availability because friend didn’t know if she should or not.  

Comments

Ann Calabrese Kiddie Academy

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Ann Calabrese KA in Naperville?  

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Ann Calabrese KinderCare is not charging any fees if the center temporarily closed due to the pandemic. It’s the right thing to do.  

Answer 8

Ours is charging 50% but they are pricing online learning material and also morning evening circle time. So it makes to pay if went to continue and leverage the distance learning

Answer 9

Why don’t they get license for essential workers and stay open ?  

Comments

@whittling32055 they are!  

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@whittling32055 it’s not that easy. Maybe they don’t have enough kids of essential worker to justify the cost of food, teachers needed, etc.  

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@whittling32055 they are opening for essential workers; this is for non essential employees

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It said daycare was closed. Never mentioned in post daycare was only open for essential workers.  

Answer 10

I didn't get that notice yet. But you best bet I'll be picking up their things. It will be cheaper to re-enroll elsewhere when they reopen

Answer 11

Is this Kiddie Academy? I got hit with the same email and info from them. Their management is a hot mess. Communications have been all over the place. They also “resigned” any teacher who didn’t feel comfortable working when they opened for essential workers kids. They aren’t paying their teachers either during this time. I would feel better if I knew they were at least taking care of their staff, but not the case. Very disappointing. We decided to just chance it and not pay the $75. Could lose our spot but don’t feel that bad about it.  

Answer 12

We love our home daycare so we don’t want to lose our spot

Comments

@loathing Or lose the place altogether! The boys were just talking today about how fun it would be if E did a daily zoom story time.  

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@annapolis Dale Rhyne yes! Omg my girls would love that !  

Answer 13

I would weigh the odds of being able to get the spot back when this is over. Keep in mind, when they can open, they may need to reduce capacity. We don’t know what that will look like. How badly does she want her kids to go there when this is over compared to a place they are not familiar with? Not sure what I would do, but I love our daycare and I wouldn’t want my daughter to potentially lose her spot so I would probably pay it. It’s a fraction of the normal rate, and they do still have bills to pay during this time. It’s not an unreasonable request.  

Answer 14

Problem is if you need childcare you might not be able to get it later.  

Comments

@min3997 why do you think so? There is no dearth of day cares, nannies and home schools around? Just general question as in why you think so?  

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@mcroberts45953 most daycares can’t pay rent if they aren’t working. Most staff that aren’t working probably will have to find a different job during this time and may or may not come back.  

Answer 15

Honestly if your income had been squashed or reduced and you can’t manage it, let the spot go. Odds are you aren’t the only one so I’d gamble getting back in.  

Answer 16

Half the folks wont be returning to work so dont pay the fee. You will have spots open. Guarentee it. My kid is at Montessori and ive heard a good chunk wont be returning due to job loss.  

Answer 17

Unfortunately, some families won’t be able to afford day care when we return back to normal because they haven’t been working the entire time. I’m sure spots will be available. Save the money.  

Answer 18

I’ve been paying over $200/week since March for a closed daycare

Comments

@hudak71 I’m with you. I’m still paying my daycare providers. These wonderful women have been like family for 5 years now and we are able to continue to pay, so we are doing so. They have applied for the PPP, but they are still waiting.  

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I’ve been out of work since mid March, so my unemployment has been paying her. At this point I am working again and need care but she is deciding to stay closed.  

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She may be getting unemployment benefits, I wouldn't continue to pay. Following the rules for disenrolling in writing. I know it's hard to find a reliable daycare that you will be comfortable with but I think you can.  

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@pineda14 home daycares are less likely to be approved for those loans.  

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@ritual10 unemployment for home daycare providers just opened on May 11. Those of us that have home based family childcare businesses haven’t received a dime, and won’t until the end of May if approved for PUA

Answer 19

I lost my job so I am not earning and there is no way I am paying when I am not earning! I will take chances when things get normal!  

Answer 20

I heard of this

Answer 21

I didn’t charge my families if they didn’t come. I’ve been blessed to keep most of my kids. I get that we all have bills but compromise is needed.  

Comments

Are you open still?  

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@guillen yes

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@steapsin did you get an essential worker license? I don’t have any families that are technically essential workers so not sure how to do that

Answer 22

I get paying a reduced rate, ours is 40% right now (but flexible if families are in a tough spot). They’re also providing daily circle time and activities for the kids each week though, which has been huge from a structure standpoint for my oldest. I love our daycare and the teachers, even those loans don’t cover everything & I want our small daycare to still be there/successful and for there to be spots for us when my kids can return. Plus if I’m still getting paid, so should they.  

Comments

And those ARE loans! They have to be paid back.  

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@linares exactly!  

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@amative if the PPP gets used for payroll, it gets forgiven :)

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@donovan958 the problem with that is that many employees went on unemployment and are making more on unemployment than they were when working, many aren’t returning (claiming fear of covid to remain eligible for unemployment) and collecting unemployment instead, so now daycares have taken out this PPP loan for x amount of employees but only half are sticking around so the daycare is on the line for the remainder of the loan to be paid back.  

Answer 23

I mean what is the likelihood that the spot won’t be available I was just Unroll. Unless the centers your ad has a bunch of start up fees I would weigh the pros and cons of cost benefits. But I did thanks child care centers were considered essential because there are people that still have to go to work and need childcare.  

Comments

@donovan958 Curry they had to apply for a special license to stay open to serve essential workers only. They are not open for everyone’s kids.  

Answer 24

I wouldn’t pay that much to hold the spot. Once things open up, the day cares will also need to get children back.  

Comments

@famulus45925 or close and there will be no other options except to pay $385. 00-$450 per week at centers

Answer 25

I am the director at the South Naperville KinderCare, we closed temporarily in March and have not charged any of our families since. Our goal is to open June 1. You should not have to pay anything, especially if the teachers aren’t getting paid. Feel free to message me and I can help you out, but I would disenroll and save yourself the money right now.  

Comments

@beerbohm, thank you for the clarification! We can't wait until the girls can safely go back! They really miss going!  

Answer 26

I am not a daycare but a nanny. Per their decision, I have been home instead of working but have been paying me in full every week like usual. I was flabbergasted considering I am not with them but it was their choice not mine to pay me. I guess I feel like daycares should be doing the same. If parents are still getting paid, so should your daycares, nannies, housekeepers, landscapers etc. Whoever. If you are making money even though you might be working from home instead of at your job site, we should be ensuring everyone else involved in helping our family survive does too. It's just my opinion. I also am fully aware that not everyone is still being paid or has a job at the moment. No one has to agree so no need to debate it with me lol. It's just food for thought.  

Answer 27

Does the deposit go toward the actual cost of daycare once they re-open? That IS a lot of $ to just lose.  

Answer 28

That’s ridiculous!  

Answer 29

Don’t that’s pathetic

Answer 30

I work for a daycare and have kids that go there as well. We have not had to pay anything since the middle of March when daycares were closed. No parents were asked to pay fees and yes the employees are still getting paid.  

Answer 31

You can only do what you can do. If a weekly fee is too much for your family, then talk to your daycare. A good place isn't asking for that money to screw you around, they're asking because they need help. I am thankful for the wonderful people who keep -- and do a good job raising, because really, they have them for more of their waking hours than I do -- my babies. The daycare we're enrolled in here in Naperville is a small business, not a chain, independently owned with a small staff. The owner has asked us to pay $50 per child weekly to help keep them operating. I am very happily, voluntarily, paying more than that nominal weekly fee, because I am beyond fortunate enough to still be paid while my work is closed -- and while my work can pay me, I can pay them. Daycare would be open if they could, and it's (so very thankfully) within my budget. But she is working with people who aren't being paid, or have reduced income, even while she is working on reduced income herself, and striving to continue to pay a staff.  

Comments

@amative well said

Answer 32

We go to a small in home daycare and that money is their livelihood. My husband and I continue to get paid through our jobs, so we are paying them their full amount unless our situation changes.  

Comments

@dobbs  ditto

Answer 33

Oh hell no. They cannot hold you to an agreement that you did not sign.  

Answer 34

Yup, Kiddie Academy sent me the same email. I asked if this $75 per week fee would go towards tuition when they reopen and they said no. Money down the drain. The location we were at wasn’t full and I’m guessing some kids won’t be returning when they fully reopen since parents financial situations have changed.  

Answer 35

Lose your spot

Answer 36

Take the risk

Answer 37

There are plenty of daycares around and you cannot guarantee what will be open after this. It’s like buying a gift card for a downtown naperville business and you just never know if they’ll survive and then you have a wasted gift card

Answer 38

I have heard of this however you have to keep in mind that we don’t know what Daycare’s will look like after this stay at home is lifted. I have heard that there will be restrictions on attendance. With that being said of you currently have your children in a center the centers may be forced to cut families down to certain restrictions. If you pay to hold your space your guaranteed not to get cut. I don’t know the exact restrictions but I can only imagine.  

Comments

That’s exactly what Im afraid of . hince why i been paying

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I agree with this 100%. I think spots will be limited

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@rockandroll you are exactly correct, daycare (home or Center) will not be the same after this. licenses were pulled away from EVERYONE only leaving license exempt and emergency centers to operate. Many will close, those that make it through may not be able to withstand the new standards.  

Answer 39

Maybe the daycare is at risk of closing?  

Answer 40

Children’s Creative Corner is open on maple. You could actually get the child care for your money if you wanted it. Hope this helps someone  

Answer 41

I removed my daughter from the program and said I'd reregister once things were open again. I was not going to lose my money for no child care for this long and they even called it "tuition". So then I just unenrolled her. See ya!  

Answer 42

I’d let the spot go if it’s not in the budget. Just how their situation changed so did a lot of people’s ‍♀️

Answer 43

I am a home daycare provider I don’t have unemployment benefits yet. And don’t know if I will get them. I have my families the option to pay half the tuition. And then I made masks to help feed my family. That helped some.  

Comments

My families are not paying me now per my request due to I felt weird about asking for half the tuition when they werent coming to my home. I will figure it out I always do.  

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@guillen You have bills too and parents expect you to conduct your business professionally. keeping your bills paid is the professional thing to do even if it means holding slots with a reduced payment. Don’t fill guilty especially if you need it to reopen.  

Answer 44

As a former daycare owner, they are facing the same difficulties as every other business. You should also consider that daycares will instantly be back in demand when this is over and it is just good business practice to keep track of current openings and fill them even for future start dates. Meaning when this ends if you aren’t holding a spot you will likely have a very hard time finding one.  

Comments

@lebkuchen0 daycares will likely not be fully staffed and are trying right now to keep their filled slots in balance with daycare providers planning to return. Their goal is to reopen earning max income so they will not be opening with a building full of teachers waiting for slots to fill.  

Answer 45

We pay $50/week. I think it is completely fair. My daughter is going to kindergarten next year too so the chance of her going back is slim. Honestly we even toss in a little more as do other families. It is a center but family owned and nobody wants to see it go under. Besides if my daughter wasn't going to kindergarten I most certainly would want to hold her spot. You also need to do what is right for your family.  

Answer 46

I been paying half of my daughters two day a week preschool to not lose her spot:(

Answer 47

Since the end of March

Answer 48

Nope. Mine has not asked and I would not pay.  

Answer 49

I am a home provider, there are a lot of reasons for daycares to charge a fee. The biggest for a Center is that their numbers have been cut (if they are even given an emergency license) and the reduced enrollment will most likely not cover the cost of operations and they will have to fill every spot available to generate the maximum amount of revenue possible. As a home I am not charging, it is a financial burden for sure but I have my husband’s income to lean on, centers don’t have that kind of back up and to be honest, the government funding is not going to cut it for the long term if they are completely closed. It’s a hard situation and many providers are looking at the partial payment as a way for their families to say, “we support you, we’ve got your back and we will be back” I’m not saying right or wrong, but if you are expecting your spot to be there when you are ready to return without paying something to hold it you may be out of luck.  

Comments

@lagena agreed! $75 is not much to ask to keep a spot and have a child care once things reopen!  

Answer 50

If my kids are not getting daycare, I am not paying for a spot! They can get money from the government like everyone else. I just don't understand the concept of paying for a spot when they reopen. I'll find a private nanny if there is nothing available once they reopen.  

Comments

@anthozoan private nanny will be more expensive than daycare.  

Answer 51

This seems out of line! They are not having children, why are they getting paid!  

Answer 52

We’ve been paying half tuition since ours closed, but ours is also sending daily video content with circle time lessons, fitness, etc

Comments

@selfpossessed KinderCare is doing the same. On top of that, my center did a birthday parade for one of our students, some teachers have done zoom calls, and I try to do weekly touch bases with the families.