Daycare now requiring masks for 2 year olds- ok to ask for deposit back?

[Anonymous]

So, we just switched to a new daycare not that long ago, and one of the things we LIKED about it was that it didn't require masks for 2 year olds. The teachers are all masked, they're doing separate entrances for separate classes, lots of other appropriate Covid things.
Now that our county is more than 44% fully vaccinated-- NOW we need masks for the toddlers?!?!
The daycare had another person complain to the County, they were inspected, and are now required to have all 2 year olds masked.

I'm so mad. We have almost $4k in deposits for this daycare that require 30 days notice for our leaving to get back, but they can just spring the 2 year old mask mandate for next day application. I get that it's not their fault, but it's also not mine. I spent MONTHS interviewing and researching daycares before selecting this one.

Our 2 year old is going to flip out about it. We have trouble getting him to wear a mask for 20 mins on an errand, let alone for 9 hours. And he has a bad habit of pulling on other people's masks (mom and dad's) and I know he will be getting in trouble for it at school (which I don't want him to hurt other kids, but the mask thing he doesn't think of as hurting anybody). This means he's going to spend a lot more time in time outs and discipline and getting yelled at for things that a normal 2 year old does. :/

What is the best or most reasonable way to ask for the deposit back without having to stay the next month?

[Anonymous]

What county? Yes, you need to fulfill your contract unless the mask issue was written in.

[Anonymous]

No way do you get your deposit back. If it's a county mandate, ask the county for your money back! Then get a nanny.

I work in a child care center and guess what? The 2 year olds have learned to wear masks.

[Anonymous]

Do you have another daycare you can move to in less than 30 days OP?

I know you are mad. I would be furious. But if you are in DC or anyplace like DC, it may take at least 30 days to move to a new daycare. I'd give your notice as soon as you have a new option.

Also, I'm shocked they'd consider masks to be a discipline issue for the child. Like you, I screened a ton of daycares on the masks issue and even the ones who were more stringent saw it as the teacher's job to help children "do the best they can" with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So, we just switched to a new daycare not that long ago, and one of the things we LIKED about it was that it didn't require masks for 2 year olds. The teachers are all masked, they're doing separate entrances for separate classes, lots of other appropriate Covid things.
Now that our county is more than 44% fully vaccinated-- NOW we need masks for the toddlers?!?!
The daycare had another person complain to the County, they were inspected, and are now required to have all 2 year olds masked.

I'm so mad. We have almost $4k in deposits for this daycare that require 30 days notice for our leaving to get back, but they can just spring the 2 year old mask mandate for next day application. I get that it's not their fault, but it's also not mine. I spent MONTHS interviewing and researching daycares before selecting this one.

Our 2 year old is going to flip out about it. We have trouble getting him to wear a mask for 20 mins on an errand, let alone for 9 hours. And he has a bad habit of pulling on other people's masks (mom and dad's) and I know he will be getting in trouble for it at school (which I don't want him to hurt other kids, but the mask thing he doesn't think of as hurting anybody). This means he's going to spend a lot more time in time outs and discipline and getting yelled at for things that a normal 2 year old does. :/

What is the best or most reasonable way to ask for the deposit back without having to stay the next month?

You're really jumping to a lot of conclusions. You haven't even tried yet.

[Anonymous]

I think you are worried about nothing. At my preschool, most two year olds don’t wear masks. They are “required,” but the kids rip them off and the teachers try half heartedly but if the kid really won’t wear it, they don’t. It’s not a big deal.

[Anonymous]

If your daycare actually uses time outs and yelling for discipline with 2 year olds then you should be looking for a new one for different reasons

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have another daycare you can move to in less than 30 days OP?

I know you are mad. I would be furious. But if you are in DC or anyplace like DC, it may take at least 30 days to move to a new daycare. I'd give your notice as soon as you have a new option.

Also, I'm shocked they'd consider masks to be a discipline issue for the child. Like you, I screened a ton of daycares on the masks issue and even the ones who were more stringent saw it as the teacher's job to help children "do the best they can" with them.

I think OP is more worried about DC getting in trouble for tugging on other children's masks, not for resisting wearing one. It's going to be a learning curve for everyone, since the policy is only starting now for the classroom.

[Anonymous]

It's annoying but are you really going to go back to the drawing board and find another daycare? How do you know the next one won't also mandate masks?

Your toddler will catch on.

[Anonymous]

It’s a mandate by the government. So yeah have your kid wear a mask.

[Anonymous]

yes, you are worrying about nothing.

From your post, and the fact that someone "complained to the county" it sounds like this a county mandate, then you are SOL. Those are the rules of participating in a society with others. If you don't like it, shell out for a nanny.

Otherwise, you have given no indication that this daycare won't operate all others have illustrated - they will try their best to keep the 2 years old masks, but understand the challenge. And ultimately that will be the teacher's issue to enforce. You seem to be worried of potential discipline for your child that hasn't even happened.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you have another daycare you can move to in less than 30 days OP?

I know you are mad. I would be furious. But if you are in DC or anyplace like DC, it may take at least 30 days to move to a new daycare. I'd give your notice as soon as you have a new option.

Also, I'm shocked they'd consider masks to be a discipline issue for the child. Like you, I screened a ton of daycares on the masks issue and even the ones who were more stringent saw it as the teacher's job to help children "do the best they can" with them.

I think OP is more worried about DC getting in trouble for tugging on other children's masks, not for resisting wearing one. It's going to be a learning curve for everyone, since the policy is only starting now for the classroom.

well then this will be a GREAT learning experience for DC they need to learn at some point they are to keep their hands to themselves.

[Anonymous]

I get the frustration. Masks work for adults, but for 2 year olds, especially for an extended period, it's just sanitation theater.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are worried about nothing. At my preschool, most two year olds don’t wear masks. They are “required,” but the kids rip them off and the teachers try half heartedly but if the kid really won’t wear it, they don’t. It’s not a big deal.

+1 Our daycare has "required" masks for all 2+ year olds for a few months now. Kids have to come in wearing them but the teachers work with them during the day to help them adjust to the mask, and there is a LOT of flexibility. They don't push it if a kid flips out and they certainly don't get disciplined if they struggle with wearing the mask. If you went to another daycare it's likely that they'll have the same requirement or will soon. And honestly it's been great not having our son get colds as often now that he's gotten used to his mask.

If you spent MONTHS choosing this daycare then surely you think they are competent and I would highly doubt your child will be getting in trouble with this new mask rule. It will probably (definitely) help him learn to tolerate the mask and not pull at others. Mask wearing is something all parents of small children are navigating as vaccines won't be available for the youngest kids for several more months, honestly it's ridiculous you'd be considering changing daycares for this issue if you're happy with the care your child is getting in general.

[Anonymous]

Your son will need to get used to it. Many places will continue to have mask requirements to enter.