If your daycare or childcare provider closed due to coronavirus, are they still requiring you to pay

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Question applies to people already in this situation. I know most contracts/terms/agreements don't address this kind of situation, so wondering whether anyone that's currently dealing with this can shed some light on their situation.

I think my provider, a large daycare center, may close next week. No word on whether we'd be expected to pay tuition if the center is closed for weeks on end. I understand fully the need for the teachers to be able to support themselves; at the same time, if the center is closed for a prolonged period, we'd be paying for services that aren't being rendered. It's a tough situation all around.

To pay a couple of weeks I am fine. but not for more than 4 weeks closure. Simply not realistic.
If my office closes for some emergency, my employer will certainly NOT be paying me. They will force me to use all the remaning pto and then forced unpaid leave. so why daycare staff would be able to get paid when facility closes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a ton of dependencies here and I really hope the chains (Kindercare, Primrose, Bright Horizons, Winwood) are going to find a way to help their employees. It's unconscionable that they wouldn't.

Employees AND parents. A lot of parents will not be able to afford to pay if they aren't earning a paycheck.

[Anonymous]

I agree with others that if our daycare closes I’d plan to pay and support the daycare for as long as I can but it becomes a different story when parents aren’t working or getting paid and still have daycare expenses. At that point—if and when it comes—something’s going to have to give.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are a ton of dependencies here and I really hope the chains (Kindercare, Primrose, Bright Horizons, Winwood) are going to find a way to help their employees. It's unconscionable that they wouldn't.

I wouldn't count on it. In 9-11, the workers at the daycare center at the World Trade Center rescued every kid and carried them for miles to safety--literally (even though their designated escape area was actually one of the towers that later fell). After 9-11, the company that owned the center refused to give them any sort of pay or compensation, even make-up pay for the last pay period.

https://medium.com/@achangnyc/on-9-11-karen-rescued-my-son-from-wtc-and-now-needs-our-help-8f3da8ca86fe

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:I’ve had daycares shut three times due to states of emergency and they always required we pay to keep our spot. It sucks, but a good daycare is hard to replace.

Yes, but for a weeks-long global pandemic? For an entire season?

I fully get that centers need to shut for a few days here and there. But I'd bed you'd have a claim in small claims court if they required you to pay many thousands of dollars for the teachers to go on a staycation for two months.

Because all of the teachers are going to be parting like it’s Covid-1999? This is demeaning to teachers. Because teachers don’t have their families’/parents’/own health to worry about? This is such a disgusting statement.

Ok look I'm liberal and all for a safety net for times like this but you need to calm down and not be so offended so easily.

So you get a free pass at being a jerk because you’re liberal?

Not being a jerk here. If my company were to still provide me a salary while not requiring me to work at all, then I admit I'd be on a staycation too. Whether anyone is worried about their health or that of their family has no effect on this scenario. If I receive a paycheck and don't have to provide labor, then I'm on staycation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ve had daycares shut three times due to states of emergency and they always required we pay to keep our spot. It sucks, but a good daycare is hard to replace.

Yes, but for a weeks-long global pandemic? For an entire season?

I fully get that centers need to shut for a few days here and there. But I'd bed you'd have a claim in small claims court if they required you to pay many thousands of dollars for the teachers to go on a staycation for two months.

Because all of the teachers are going to be parting like it’s Covid-1999? This is demeaning to teachers. Because teachers don’t have their families’/parents’/own health to worry about? This is such a disgusting statement.

Ok look I'm liberal and all for a safety net for times like this but you need to calm down and not be so offended so easily.

So you get a free pass at being a jerk because you’re liberal?

Not being a jerk here. If my company were to still provide me a salary while not requiring me to work at all, then I admit I'd be on a staycation too. Whether anyone is worried about their health or that of their family has no effect on this scenario. If I receive a paycheck and don't have to provide labor, then I'm on staycation.

I agree with what you said. Disregard those negative comments.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are a ton of dependencies here and I really hope the chains (Kindercare, Primrose, Bright Horizons, Winwood) are going to find a way to help their employees. It's unconscionable that they wouldn't.

I wouldn't count on it. In 9-11, the workers at the daycare center at the World Trade Center rescued every kid and carried them for miles to safety--literally (even though their designated escape area was actually one of the towers that later fell). After 9-11, the company that owned the center refused to give them any sort of pay or compensation, even make-up pay for the last pay period.

https://medium.com/@achangnyc/on-9-11-karen-rescued-my-son-from-wtc-and-now-needs-our-help-8f3da8ca86fe

OP here. This is a good point. Thank you for bringing it up. I think that most child care providers and teachers would put themselves in harm's way to protect the children and students. For that reason I would absolutely agree to pay for a couple weeks of closure. These are good people that I would absolutely want to support. It just gets hard when there may be no end in sight with this virus, and having to pay for many months of childcare that we aren't receiving just wouldn't be sustainable for most families.

[Anonymous]

Don't be jerks people. Those running a daycare around here aren't making tons of money. If you can pay, then pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't be jerks people. Those running a daycare around here aren't making tons of money. If you can pay, then pay.

The problem is that many of us CANNOT afford to pay if we aren't also earning a paycheck.

I cannot work if my kid can't be in daycare.

[Anonymous]

Maybe daycares can work out a minimum payment plan if they close that will cover the cost of facilities rent/mortgage and a small stipend for teachers just so they have something

[Anonymous]

How many people here are in a situation where they can afford to pay for preschool but do not have paid leave at their job?

Honest question.

[Anonymous]

My contract says that I pay annually, divided by 24. It doesn't matter the number of days or vacations are taken. You can pay in advanced if you want, you just can't be late.

So yes, we continue to pay.

[Anonymous]

Pay if they are not making any profits and using the money for payroll, rent, utilities and insurance. They may also have to vendors who provide material goods...toilet papers, cleaning supplies, paper goods, milk, water, food...

[Anonymous]

Are you being paid for by your work and allowed to telecommute?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you being paid for by your work and allowed to telecommute?

Telecommute is nearly impossible when you need to also care for a 1 year old.