Has your daycare/preschool told you what the plan is?

[Anonymous]

I wish ours did.

We are in VA. They closed in mid-March and sent a few emails since basically saying "we don't know when we will open, but we will stay closed for now due to VA governor's orders. Thank you to those who sent in your tuition."

I wish they would tell us something concrete now, eg. "we will stay closed for as long as there is a stay at home order, we will reopen when the order is lifted subject to conditions (1) prioritize essential personnel's kids, lottery for the rest or staggered schedule for the rest and (2) extra cleaning fee of $ to be paid to daily cleaners..." OR " we will be closed until schools are officially open" or "we will be closed until there is a vaccine" or something more than "we don't know..."

I wish they would provide some sort of things they will consider to make a decision. Did your provider do something like that?

[Anonymous]

Ours says that a lot of the decision to close has to do with the ability of teachers to get into work. If public transit it limited, then they can't work.

Ask them.

[Anonymous]

This is OP. I asked politely. Twice. I do not need a promise. Just: definitely closed till June 10, then limited hours or essential only or staggered schedule, something, but all I get is "we don't know, it's a fluid situation..." I know the *&**&^& situation is fluid. I just want to know what the thinking is re: reopening criteria.

[Anonymous]

How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

Then say "we will open as soon a permitted subject to (1) (2) (3)"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

Then say "we will open as soon a permitted subject to (1) (2) (3)"

Isn't it obvious that they would open up as soon as they're permitted by the state? Who wouldn't do that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

Then say "we will open as soon a permitted subject to (1) (2) (3)"

Isn't it obvious that they would open up as soon as they're permitted by the state? Who wouldn't do that?

Not obvious. They closed when they were still permitted to be open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

In VA, where the OP is located, daycares are not part of the governor's mandated school closures; daycares are allowed to be open regardless of whether they serve essential employees or not

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How can they give you reopening criteria when the decision isn't in their hands? It'll depend on what the state says. Right now most schools are mandated to be closed, except for some daycares only for essential personnel.

Then say "we will open as soon a permitted subject to (1) (2) (3)"

And what happens if they tell you that but later have to change their plan due to unforeseen developments? This is an unprecedented situation, and it’s more honest to tell you they don’t know than to give you random assurances that may or may not pan out. I get that the uncertainty is really hard to deal with, but we’re all going to have to keep tolerating it for the foreseeable future.

[Anonymous]

Listen, most daycare workers are high risk. So the decision to open will come down to ability to test and treat, not just the SAH order.

You are welcome to leave your daycare and stop paying, but basically you are paying a retainer for your spot when things return to normal. They could go under if everybody leaves, they could go under if all the staff get sick at once.

I think in this scenario, less is more. I mean the Federal and State gov have vague fluid plans, so why do you expect more from low paid daycare staff?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Listen, most daycare workers are high risk. So the decision to open will come down to ability to test and treat, not just the SAH order.

You are welcome to leave your daycare and stop paying, but basically you are paying a retainer for your spot when things return to normal. They could go under if everybody leaves, they could go under if all the staff get sick at once.

I think in this scenario, less is more. I mean the Federal and State gov have vague fluid plans, so why do you expect more from low paid daycare staff?

This is true.
Have you seen all of the news stories about healthcare providers walking off the job when they are asked to work without PPE? That’s going to be the situation at most childcare centers if they open too soon. Childcare workers are always at a high risk for illness and this is an exceptional situation. People aren’t even allowed in most grocery stores without masks, so a room full of children who love to hug, wrestle, and climb over each other with zero concept of even covering a cough or sneeze is a public health disaster right now. It’s going to take a while to sort it out.

[Anonymous]

Yes. They are going to take all our money and give us nothing but Zoom in return. Awesome.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes. They are going to take all our money and give us nothing but Zoom in return. Awesome.

You are free to stop paying and find a new spot when things reopen.

[Anonymous]

Not pp but I’m considering stopping paying and taking chances. I need the $$ for a babysitter or nanny.

I need daycare so badly. I’m trying desperately to hold my job. Im mentally falling apart. It’s not good for anyone

[Anonymous]

Our just told us we have to keep paying full tuition to keep our daycare spots, and that they will not be waiving the 30-day notice of cancellation. And they reminded us that they have a long waiting list of parents willing to pay!

I love our daycare but I thought this was not a great message to send to families who might be facing financial challenges themselves. We have secure jobs so are only dealing with childcare challenges while we try to telework full time.