Question about daycare?

Question

So tell me what you guys think and how can I fight this? I live in Florida and was effected by tropical storm Fay which caused the school and daycare to close. They were open on Monday and then closed for the rest of the week. On Monday I paid daycare for the week but then they were closed. When I went in there this morning and asked them because they were closed how much I was going to be credited and I would just pay the remander today for the week and in which they told me it was an act of god and there for I still have to pay the full week even though they are closed. I don't feel this is fair and that I should have to pay for the week when my daughter was not there because they were closed. I feel I should pay for Monday because they were open and she was there but not the rest of the week. How can i go about fighting this as I don't want to make them mad and then they are mean to my daughter. Do you guys agree with me and if so what would you do?

Answer 1

Well, check their policy.  A lot of daycares have the policy that you pay no matter what - sickness, storms, parents vacations, daycare vacations, etc...

If there is no specific point in the policy that says "act of God" or "weather related" you can calmly bring it up to them, that their policy only says <list things it covers> and not the tropical storm, so you feel your should be credited.  Remind them it's NOT in the policy (if it's not) and maybe they should change it them to incorporate tropical storms.

A lot of places will still charge when you dont bring your child, because they need that steady income.  Same with your vacation, their vacation, etc etc.

SO if it IS in their policy, there is NOTHING you can do.  sadly.

So check that policy - you should have gotten a copy of it when you registered/signed up your daughter.

And if you are really concerned that questioning their motives would cause them to "be mean to your daughter"... then maybe it's not a good daycare?  In my opinion at least.  If they have an issue with YOU it should, in no way, reflect the quality of care your daughter gets.  If it does - that is a major sign to find a new daycare!

:)  Good luck!

Answer 2

They are right to do this, but if I was you I would complain to the highest person possible, it's just bad customer service.

I was a staff member in the same position and we weren't paid and couldn't use our personal or sick days, so we all lost about 3 days pay.

As a staff memeber, if I knew a parent was complaining it wouldn't make a difference in how I treated their child. Also, if you use a large chain day care center and you complain at the corporate level the center employess won't have a clue.

Good luck, but sadly I don't think you will get a credit, but try anyway! I think it's a terrible policy even more so if they don't pay their staff who lost 3 or 4 days pay.

Answer 3

I would talk to the other parents and start a petition for the school to give everyone a credit.  Or talk to upper management.

Answer 4

Do you get sick days, vacation days, and personal days at your job???  Do you pay for stuff like your insurance even on days when you don't need or use it?  Does the cable/internet ever go out and you still get charged for the whole month even though it was out for 2 days?   Do you have to pay taxes that go toward welfare even though you don't use it?  You really can't control some things in life, and you probably signed a contract that if you read it you would have had a heads up for situations like this.  Everyone needs to get paid and everyone deserves days off for emergencies and personal reasons.  You should still have to pay, no its not fair, but then again life isn't fair.  Everyone expects to only pay for childcare on the days they want it, but the providers need a day off just as much as you do, and if you get paid for your days off, why shouldn't your provider get this as well.  So no, I don't agree with you, and yes I think these are still chargeable days.  The daycare probably also has to use these days to fix their building and grounds for your child's safety.  

Answer 5

Hi, I live in the Tampa Bay area and fortunately did not have my daycare close on me.  But if they did close I would pay.  They have to pay their employees when they close.  They are a business and we are their income.  It sucks and is expensive (I pay $200 a week).  Two weeks ago my son was sick and missed all but one day and I hate paying the full week but it is kind of what we agreed too when placing him there.  I would just not fight it, and just complain to your relitaves and friends so you can vent.

Answer 6

I would check the papers they gave you when signing up to see how their policy reads.  I agree to an extent.  If your child is out for an illness, vacation, or other reason, it's completely fair to have to pay to 'hold' their spot.  However, this situation is a little different.  I know at our daycare they had a water leak one day and had to close and they did credit everyone for that day so we didn't have to pay.  I mean, if a tornado or hurricane came through (or any other act of God) and damaged the building and it took them a  week or two to open back up, I don't see why I should have to pay for that (is their staff even working then to have to pay them).  It all comes down to the agreement that you signed.  Good luck.

Answer 7

yea that is unfair.  Talk to the head management of the place and tell him/her how you feel if that doesn't work thearten to sue them it works for my mom lol.