Goddard Gaithersburg - BEWARE. Its all about $$$ for them

[Anonymous]

Just a fair warning to families considering this school. We have signed up for a summer and fall semesters in January 2014. Since than we have bought a new home in different area. We informed the school on May 3rd of the impending move and asked for our security deposit back (1 month of tuition). Overall we paid $2700 at time of registration (security deposit plus enrollment fees). After 3 weeks of back and forward with school, finally received a phone call from the owner Mr. Whorley stating that they cant fill my DS's slot and we wouldnt be getting any money back. His solution was to take my son there for a month (so drive every am and PM from VA to Gaithersburg, MD) because apparently everything you pay that school is non-refundable.

I understand not getting the enrollment fees (around $1K total) back, but security deposit? We gave more than 30 days notice... Whats funny is we have been trying to get a spot there for a year and the spots always magically open up after school starts. I wonder if they tell the parents who want to cancel before the start the same thing, keep the money and than resell the spot.

In any case just wanted to warn other parents considering that school. Please beware of this as you sign, I have never heard of a place keeping a months tuition for basically nothing.

[Anonymous]

What did the enrollment contract state? If you gave as much notice as required in the enrollment contract, you should be getting your deposit back. Now, if the enrollment contract requires more than 30 days - and I could see a for-profit chain requiring this, then you might be out of luck, although I agree it all sounds rather shady. (As does the $1k enrollment fee.)

[Anonymous]

This is no different than any other private school. Read the contract. If you didn't like the terms, you shouldn't have signed.

[Anonymous]

I think stating what the contract says, would help you with your warning.

[Anonymous]

It should all be stated somewhere in your contract, no?

If it's not, then you have to continue making a stink!
And tell them they are making an extremely bad reputation for themselves...

[Anonymous]

This is standard procedure. It sucks that you are out that money, but I'm sure it was stated in the enrollment agreement.

[Anonymous]

we were a family there. it clearly says in the contract that if you decide to not enroll before starting you don't get any of your money back. I didn't like that either but the contract clearly stated this at least once (and possibly more but I don't remember)

[Anonymous]

It does state it in the contract. I do understand that we are out of money, just wanted to post fair warning. To be honest we were so excited to get a spot there that we kind of glazed over the details (mine own fault), I just want to make sure other people considering enrollment wouldnt make the same mistake.

FYI, the preschool were we enrolled before Goddard for summer camp did refund us the security deposit (but not the enrollment fees, which for them were like $40). Just pointing out that there are other options out there that are not all about $$$.

[Anonymous]

I think it's completely unfair for you to sign a contract (that you admittedly glazed over) and then demand that the owner do something different from what you both agreed to in the contract.

Calling them "out" here on DCUM just makes you look petty. It's not the school's fault you decided to buy a different house. You signed, you lose. It's not just about money, it's about holding up your end of the bargain. If you had paid and they refused to come through with a slot, then you'd have an argument. But, since you're the one at fault here, I really think you owe the establishment an apology.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It does state it in the contract. I do understand that we are out of money, just wanted to post fair warning. To be honest we were so excited to get a spot there that we kind of glazed over the details (mine own fault), I just want to make sure other people considering enrollment wouldnt make the same mistake.

FYI, the preschool were we enrolled before Goddard for summer camp did refund us the security deposit (but not the enrollment fees, which for them were like $40). Just pointing out that there are other options out there that are not all about $$$.

OP - you are an idiot. You are publicly shaming a school b/c you didn't read the contract? Sorry that you don't like it but next time READ.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It does state it in the contract. I do understand that we are out of money, just wanted to post fair warning. To be honest we were so excited to get a spot there that we kind of glazed over the details (mine own fault), I just want to make sure other people considering enrollment wouldnt make the same mistake.

FYI, the preschool were we enrolled before Goddard for summer camp did refund us the security deposit (but not the enrollment fees, which for them were like $40). Just pointing out that there are other options out there that are not all about $$$.

OP - you are an idiot. You are publicly shaming a school b/c you didn't read the contract? Sorry that you don't like it but next time READ.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry, but this is all clearly stated in the contract. My kids go there and we LOVE this school. It's truly fantastic. We had to pull one of my LOs out suddenly due to medical issues. They were fantastic. We gave them one month's notice, as stated in the contract, and that was it. They are a business, but on those same lines, they run a tight, extremely well-functioning ship, which is in stark contrast to many of the other daycares we've toured. This place is a gem and when we move, which is soon, I will miss it.

[Anonymous]

I feel like reporting posts like this. What you are doing is giving a school a bad reputation because of a mistake YOU made. The school did nothing wrong, it states in the contract that the fees are non-refundable. You are in the wrong, not the school. Can I actually report posts like this, because it's just SO wrong to do this kind of stuff...

[Anonymous]

Not OP. $2700 is an extreme amount of money, especially for a school that can fill the spot easily enough. She was just posting warning that the money you might not get back from this school is high. I've never heard of a place requiring more than 1 month's tuition. Many even have a 2 week cancellation policy. Sorry, but $2700 is out of my price range to guarantee a spot.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not OP. $2700 is an extreme amount of money, especially for a school that can fill the spot easily enough. She was just posting warning that the money you might not get back from this school is high. I've never heard of a place requiring more than 1 month's tuition. Many even have a 2 week cancellation policy. Sorry, but $2700 is out of my price range to guarantee a spot.

Then don't sign up!!! What the heck is it with you people?! You read the contract, you signed the contract, you paid the money - all full well knowing it is a non refundable fee that you will not get back. And then coming in here bad mouthing a school that does everything exactly the way they said they would?! Really? Wow this just enrages me. DON'T SIGN THE CONTRACT THEN!!! Jesus...