Registering unvaxxed kids in a private preschool

[gorgorita]

Hi

We are in IL and here we have medical and religious exemptions that do not work for private schools. Private schools can accept or not as they want.
We want to send DD to a 2 day preschool program at a local private school ( we actually have two private schools that we would be happy with)
How do I ask before paying the admission fee if they will accept my unvaxxed DD?
Should I just call and ask what could be their reasons not to accept her? I wonder if they even think about vax status at all when answering this question.
Ask them for exemption form? They probably don't have it, though

We are in the neighborhood where there is possibly many unvaxed kids but we don't know for sure just assuming since it's a very green living community.

How do I handle myself and probably have my DD accepted?
How do I ask them if they'll accept an unvaccinated child?
Thank you

[Emmeline II]

?
IL vaccination law (which includes exemptions) appears to apply to public, private, and parochial schools. Here is the NVIC link; you should try to find the law quoted here on a state government site to double check. I'd do it for you but I have to get some homework done before my trip .

[luv-my-boys]

I would ask them what are the policies regarding refunds on fees if your DD is not accepted into their school. Surely they would have something written down regarding that. If its a "application fee" its definately worth looking into if they dont accept her into the program. I would (and have) simply filled out the paperwork and stapled the exemption form to the immunization form and turned in all the paperwork together and see what they say.

[ammiga]

I read the IL law, and it only says that "the provisions of this Act shall not apply if", and then lists the two exemptions offered. It doesn't make any mention of the exemptions only applying to public schools.

[mamadelbosque]

I'm fairly certain that if any institution is open to the public they have t accept exemptions - just as they have to accept black people and white people and everybody in between. Just cause' your a private institution does *not* mean you can freely discriminate!!

[iris777888]

I would just call or email the school and ask if they accept children with vaccine exemptions. That's what we did when we were looking at schools and the three I talked to all answered like it was a question they get regularly.You don't even have to say who you are if you are concerned about affecting the admissions process.

[ammiga]

Originally Posted by iris777888

I would just call or email the school and ask if they accept children with vaccine exemptions. That's what we did when we were looking at schools and the three I talked to all answered like it was a question they get regularly.You don't even have to say who you are if you are concerned about affecting the admissions process.

If they say no, I would double check the law. Some schools think/say they don't accept exemptions, when they legally have to. But many schools do know the law and answer accordingly.

[Luckyinlife]

We are in IL at at private school...don't be scared, stick up for what you believe in and just politely let them know that you are a non-vax family. I did and to my surprise, so was the principal! Good luck