Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love this idea. We just got a phone call that DS got a spot after THREE YEARS (he's happily been in another center since he was 5 months old.) I should have asked the woman for our deposit back, just to be snarky. Although at least I know they really keep a list.

It's NOT a deposit! Why do so many people think they're entitled to a refund of an application or wait list FEE? I just don't get this. Yes, wait lists are long, but can you imagine how much longer they'd be if it didn't cost anything to get on the list? I, for one, would have applied to at least a dozen more centers. Get over yourselves people. It's not like the long wait lists are breaking news.

You're right. I miss wrote. It was an application fee. And I'm actually in favor of the fees because it does weed out people who aren't serious. I was just so surprised when I was called after three years. I had no idea what the woman was talking about when she called, I couldn't figure out why my 2.5 year old had gotten into Georgetown. He hasn't even taken the SAT's yet

Unless it specifically says it's a deposit, though, it's not. It's an application fee. Is it ridiculous to have to pay a steep application fee for daycare for a 5 month old baby? Yes, absolutely. But at least on the 3 waiting lists I spent time on, it was very clear on the form that it was a) not a guarantee of anything at any time and b) not refundable.

I was told that the application fee for DD1 could be transferred to DC2 by a center we were not currently enrolled in when I called to see if I could get on the list at 8 weeks pregnant, but since I miscarried two weeks later, I don't know how it would have played out in practical terms. The only true refund I ever heard of was related to stillbirth. My friend got her waitlist fee back from the 2 places she signed up for when she lost her baby at 8.5 months. She went to the center and explained to the directors in person.