rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 16:50:00 GMT -6
I’ll try and keep this short. The kids daycare flooded this morning and is not expected to re-open until Friday, if that. It’s a big, east coast chain. We’ve been going for almost 3 years.
This Timing could not be worse for my husband and I as we both have our busiest weeks ever with both our bosses in the office (they work across the country). We don’t work at the same place.
The school just sent us an update saying that in the meantime, they could try and find openings at their other locations, all 40+ mins away and the opposite direction of our commutes.
Besides the inconvenient work conflicts and commute, I don’t know any of these teachers at all and would be super hesitant sending my kids. My anxiety is sky high.
I can’t imagine we’re the only family extremely irritated and wanting a refund for this week ($750). Are we being unreasonable in our thinking that we are owed a refund?
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Post by PandaWatch on Jun 4, 2018 16:53:34 GMT -6
What does your contract/agreement with the center say about something like this?
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Post by sweptaway on Jun 4, 2018 16:54:29 GMT -6
I think they should give you the choice of a refund or making other reasonable arrangements. If the back up care they are offering you is a licensed center under the same umbrella (it should be, otherwise where are they sending their teachers?) I'd take that.
But you should check your contract first.
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rvasc
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Post by rvasc on Jun 4, 2018 16:54:53 GMT -6
What does your contract/agreement with the center say about something like this? This. Ours has language about this sort of thing, and we would not be owed a refund. It sucks, but life happens.
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rvasc
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Post by rvasc on Jun 4, 2018 16:55:40 GMT -6
How old are your kids?
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Post by wildflower on Jun 4, 2018 16:55:42 GMT -6
I don't send my kids to daycare, but I would be expecting a refund if you don't send them at all. If you send them to another location, I would hope for a reduced rate as a "I'm sorry, please don't hate us too much" gesture.
This is clearly out of their control, but they are effing up a lot of people's lives and refunds are what I would expect from a business in that situation.
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Post by SweetPotato on Jun 4, 2018 16:55:47 GMT -6
Oh man. That sucks all the way around.
Like PPs said I’d start with the contract. Either way, I’m sorry!
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rvasc
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Post by rvasc on Jun 4, 2018 16:56:13 GMT -6
The daycare still has to pay their bills, guys.
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 16:56:30 GMT -6
What does your contract/agreement with the center say about something like this? I’d have to dig and look. I’m sure since it’s a big chain they have wording to cover their ass 😩
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 16:57:43 GMT -6
DD is a month shy of 3 and DS 7 months. I took DD to work today and my husband stayed home with DS.
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Post by lolacachia on Jun 4, 2018 16:58:14 GMT -6
That really sucks and $750 is a huge chunk of change. I would probably have to scramble for other care and would definitely want a refund to cover that. I hope you can get it all figured out.
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Post by PandaWatch on Jun 4, 2018 16:58:22 GMT -6
FWIW, I would not expect a refund, but I would expect alternate care. Based on OP’s SN, we might be in the same area, and we got a nasty storm over the weekend, and roads, rivers, buildings, etc. flooded. It is not the center’s fault, and they don’t owe a monetary refund IMO.
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rvasc
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Post by rvasc on Jun 4, 2018 16:58:49 GMT -6
DD is a month shy of 3 and DS 7 months. I took DD to work today and my husband stayed home with DS. There are so many college students looking for money around here. Do you know any?
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 16:59:01 GMT -6
I don't send my kids to daycare, but I would be expecting a refund if you don't send them at all. If you send them to another location, I would hope for a reduced rate as a "I'm sorry, please don't hate us too much" gesture. This is clearly out of their control, but they are effing up a lot of people's lives and refunds are what I would expect from a business in that situation. Good point. I’d settle for a reduced rate, or just some acknowledgement that we spend a shit ton a year and they understand and will try and make this as easy as possible for us.
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Post by Uncaripswife on Jun 4, 2018 17:01:55 GMT -6
Start with the contract, but this might be a situation where you try to utilize the nearest other location so you can get to work. It's far from ideal, I know.
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Post by nevertoomanyshoes on Jun 4, 2018 17:05:08 GMT -6
They may still have to cover their bills but their insurance should cover something. I’d expect a reduced rate, I don’t think it’s reasonable for them to expect you to pay somewhere else on top of them at full rate.
What are their teachers doing in the mean time? If they’re going to other centres does that mean other centres have temporary additional places?
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 17:21:03 GMT -6
They may still have to cover their bills but their insurance should cover something. I’d expect a reduced rate, I don’t think it’s reasonable for them to expect you to pay somewhere else on top of them at full rate. What are their teachers doing in the mean time? If they’re going to other centres does that mean other centres have temporary additional places? This was my thought, they have to have some type of insurance to cover situations like this. Right? A couple of the other parents were scrambling trying to see if 1 or 2 of the teachers that we're close with would watch the kids, but apparently the teachers are still required to show up for work.
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 4, 2018 17:22:23 GMT -6
I was very "burn it down" about it as the day progressed, but after talking to DD's teacher tonight and her basically saying not to expect a refund, I've come to accept things. I just wanted to ask you guys to see if I should be fighting or just roll over and take it. Meh!
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piratecat
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Post by piratecat on Jun 4, 2018 17:29:10 GMT -6
Do you know any of the parents? Maybe you can trade days or maybe someone can at least help with transporting the kids to the other locations?
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emma
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Post by emma on Jun 4, 2018 17:29:32 GMT -6
I wouldn't expect a refund but i'd expect them to find alternative care. And even though the commute is an inconvenience I'd take them up on the offer of a place at another centre. Your kids teachers might also be temporarily reassigned to one of the other centres to cover the extra kids going there
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Cher
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Post by Cher on Jun 4, 2018 17:29:50 GMT -6
That sucks, I’m sorry. I would guess there’s CYA language in your contract and a refund won’t be likely.
Are they offering you a place at one of their other locations for no additional cost? Because that seems like they’re trying to make it up to you.
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lizblue
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Post by lizblue on Jun 4, 2018 17:36:54 GMT -6
This happened for a week this winter (storms/downed trees) with DD and they found alternate care. At first they weren’t going to give a refund but then they submitted to their insurance and it was approved.
At the end of the day, it’s not their fault. Life happens and I’d try to be understanding if you can.
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lizblue
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Post by lizblue on Jun 4, 2018 17:37:37 GMT -6
Also- I had a lot of sympathy for the daycare. They were scrambling and working around the clock to help reopen.
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Post by thechickencoop on Jun 4, 2018 17:42:55 GMT -6
Oof. I'm sorry, that sucks. This flooding has been out.of.control. We're not personally affected but some of my coworkers are down in the counties that have been hit hard and I just....ugh. I feel for them.
All that aside, I wouldn't expect a refund especially if they're offering up other locations. I'd probably bite the bullet and go out of my way if neither of you can take another day off. Do you have any reason to worry about the other teachers? I don't think I would stress about it too much other than just being inconvenienced.
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Tlex
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Post by Tlex on Jun 4, 2018 19:29:12 GMT -6
In general, a physical space is only licensed to hold so many children (depends on age and needs of the program) and there are very rigid calculations of how many people can be in an X square foot space, how many square feet of windows are to be provided per body in the space, etc. Just explaining in case people wonder why they don't just ship all the teachers and kids to alternate locations or rent a temporary space. Regulations don't really allow that.
I would assume them trying to find your kids space at other centres is the most they can really offer and if you need the care I'd jump on it, because spaces will be extremely limited due to the regulations above.
I'm so sorry you guys are dealing with this at a terrible time for added stress! Dependable childcare is so critical to keeping the world turning.
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Post by GhoatMonket on Jun 4, 2018 19:49:57 GMT -6
I don't send my kids to daycare, but I would be expecting a refund if you don't send them at all. If you send them to another location, I would hope for a reduced rate as a "I'm sorry, please don't hate us too much" gesture. This is clearly out of their control, but they are effing up a lot of people's lives and refunds are what I would expect from a business in that situation. You are in for a rude awakening if you ever have to use daycare. You do not have a realistic view. They aren't effing up shit. It's called a natural disaster. This isn't due to poor upkeep. They have no option but to close and clean up.
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Post by ellewoods on Jun 4, 2018 20:39:24 GMT -6
You should get a partial refund. Our school was closed for 2 days bc of a fire and we were given $100 (which wasn’t enough).
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Post by ellewoods on Jun 4, 2018 20:42:53 GMT -6
You should get a partial refund. Our school was closed for 2 days bc of a fire and we were given $100 (which wasn’t enough). I should add I didn’t ask for a refund or expect one but it was the right thing for them to do. Yes they have bills but we pay for care and it was not provided. And all the parents were very understanding about the fire and very happy with how they evacuated and that no one was hurt.
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kitchen
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Post by kitchen on Jun 4, 2018 22:03:13 GMT -6
Does your center allow the teachers to babysit privately? That might be a good option for backup care? (I realize $$$, but if you have no other choice)
Finding backup care is my #1 complaint about daycare.
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rachydc
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Post by rachydc on Jun 5, 2018 2:11:51 GMT -6
Does your center allow the teachers to babysit privately? That might be a good option for backup care? (I realize $$$, but if you have no other choice) Finding backup care is my #1 complaint about daycare. Yes, but they charge $15-17 and hr which I wouldn’t mind paying if we were getting some or all the money for the week back, but there’s no way we could afford on top of being charged. Also, the teachers are still required to show up for work :/
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