paying for daycare when closed

[Anonymous]

Our daycare has been closed for 6 weeks out of the last 2 months due to various covid exposures. However, we are still required to pay the full amount each month. This seems insane. It means we are paying almost $5,000 for 2 weeks of care. Is this even legal? Is there anything we can do? It could also continue if there are more exposures so the risk of paying for no service seems limitless.

[Anonymous]

Get a nanny

[Anonymous]

Can you explain a little more on the closure? Are they closing the entire center for every exposure? Or just positive cases? Reading only your post it seems like the daycare is taking advantage of the situation. Our daycare doesn’t close for exposure, just a positive test. And when that happens, it’s just the class with the positive, not the whole center.

[Anonymous]

Our children were at a church daycare last year and we didn't have to pay when they closed due to covid. They did ask for donations, and I paid half of our tuition.

[Anonymous]

You’re paying for the teachers to be able to keep their jobs. You’re paying for the center to pay it’s bills and stay open.

[Anonymous]

They are shut down by the county for covid exposure. They are not allowed to provide services. You are paying to hold your spot. You knew this when you returned to day care and took the risk. They cannot remain open with covid exposure and you'd be putting you child in an unsafe situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are shut down by the county for covid exposure. They are not allowed to provide services. You are paying to hold your spot. You knew this when you returned to day care and took the risk. They cannot remain open with covid exposure and you'd be putting you child in an unsafe situation.

County shutdowns don’t seem to track with CDC recommendations.

[Anonymous]

Normal. Paying the teachers to keeps their jobs. I pulled my kid in April and has her stay home with the nanny we already had for the baby after paying not to attend in March.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re paying for the teachers to be able to keep their jobs. You’re paying for the center to pay it’s bills and stay open.

This. If you want the center to close, by all means refuse to pay.

But this is the risk you run with group care right now.

[Anonymous]

Our daycare was closed from March to August (thanks MCPS for forcing school-based daycares to close and only reopening after lots of public pressure). They didn't charge during the long closure, but when they reopened they had us sign a form saying we'd continue to pay during any further closures.

[Anonymous]

This is standard but read your contract. How would you expect them to stay in business and make payroll/rent if families stop paying? These are the times we are in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are shut down by the county for covid exposure. They are not allowed to provide services. You are paying to hold your spot. You knew this when you returned to day care and took the risk. They cannot remain open with covid exposure and you'd be putting you child in an unsafe situation.

County shutdowns don’t seem to track with CDC recommendations.

Take it up with the health department and licensing. Closing down is not their fault nor is it their call. They need to do it to keep everybody safe. If you’re sending your child to take care this is a very real risk you have to take. If you’re unhappy with that set up find private care.

[Anonymous]

Standard. We have had to pay for daycare in a federal building during shutdowns that close the daycare center. Your contract probably requires you to pay. You can refuse to pay and lose your spot, of course, your call.