State shut my daycare down.

[New_Natural_Mom]

So devastated. Apparently the owner of the center (franchise) was seriously inept at managing everything and can't make payroll (the last checks he provided bounced). I got a call at 2 pm today that they are getting shut down. My DS has been at this center since 3 months old. They work with our issues (no vax, TF) and I really like the teachers. My son loves it there and has friends there. This is (I now find out) the most expensive center in the area and they have lots of holidays/inschool service days etc.

There are only 2 other places in the area. One we really didn't like and the other might be ok, but they aren't as willing to work with me on our particular issues.

I am just so upset for us, for my son, for those poor teachers and staff who are so royally shafted.

[bronxmom]

Is there any way the staff and parents could take it over and run it as a cooperative? I know that sounds like a lot of work and don't myself have a clue how it would start but it seems like they have the infrastructure already established.

I'm so sorry - that really sucks. I went through a scare that my beloved daycare was going to shut down (family daycare after new baby born and a health scare to the baby) and it was really terrible so I know what you're going through.

[laurabfig]

What are all the other parents doing?
I can't imagine being suddenly without childcare!

[CarrieMF]

It happens alot, but at least you got notice. Any of the ones I"ve heard of the parents go to drop them off, or even the teachers go to work & the doors are locked sometimes with a note on the door. Another time there was no note & the teachers had to contact the owners to find out what was going on.

Here when it has happened the other centers & dayhomes will try to find as many spots as possible but they are limited to how many open spots they can fill too.

[mum4vr]

So sorry-- that's a big transition for the little ones without time to adjust!


I agree w a PP about seeing what the teachers and families can work out. If the teachers could divy up the kids for keeping them at home, it might work out?

We did a co op at my college-- nothing official-- just a few families that swapped care. No payroll even, and took turns providing lunch. Possibly the best daycare situation we ever had

[Happiestever]

Yikes! OTOH at least it was for bad management practices and not something else.

[New_Natural_Mom]

There was an article in the paper - apparently he is about $100,000 in debt for lease/insurance not paid and property taxes. That isn't a crazy amount. I would be willing to set up a cooperative and actually suggested that to the assistant director, but we will see. He has been bouncing paychecks to the employees.

What I don't understand is how the corporate office could allow this to happen, *knowing* how bad the situation was. They were informed of this. What kind of recourse is there for a parent? I don't want to get sue-happy, but they should be held accountable for their dropping of the ball so-to-speak. I guess that losing the first location in their franchise would be some accountability, but it really doesn't redress the lost wages, and real suffering these kids and parents have to go through to secure alternative care.

Let me tell you - it was a very nice facility and the teachers are AWESOME!! They are very accommodating to our alternative lifestyle and my DS is happy there. I just wish I could DO something.

[Annie Mac]

Firstly, I'm sorry. What a scramble it must be to find child care now, and it sounds like you really liked the place. I agree with some of the other PPs, a co-op may be the way to go. My sister used to be in one, and as I vaguely recall, they hired a few regular staff, and then the parents had to volunteer time on a regular basis. There was probably also an option for them to just pay extra as well.

Secondly, The STATE shut them down for not meeting financial obligations? How is that even legal? I mean, unless you're GM or a bank, I don't think the state or federal gov't really cares if your business fails. They might care if you're not paying your taxes, but do they actually have the authority to close your doors? If so, wow.

[nextcommercial]

Have you been able to speak to one of the teachers? Maybe until arrangements can be made one of the teachers will babysit for you for the same price you were paying the daycare. (or slightly less if she watches another child) She will probably still make more than she was making at the center.

Hopefully things will get pulled together soon and they can reopen with new management.

[New_Natural_Mom]

The state is shutting them down b/c they aren't paying the teachers and that is against licensing requirements.

I think we found another center that will work and we are taking our son there this afternoon so he can check it out.

In the last 20 hours I have gone to 4 new daycare centers and did the tour. I have had teachers approach us b/c they like our son and would nanny for him and actually (first) called the franchising body and inquired about creating a parent cooperative to purchase the center, but the owner ran it so far into the ground there is no way the center could stay open even with another owner b/c it takes AT LEAST 45 days to run all necessary background checks, etc.

This is just so devastating to so many people.

[bobandjess99]

This literally just happened to a friend of mine (in another state, lol, not your center) the child care center she worked at was closed due to mismanagement by the owner, and she is taking 2 kids into her home as private daycare/nany clients. I would seriously consider this, if you can work it out so you can afford it and you truly like the teachers. If you and 1-2 other families chose a particular teacher, chances are, she could make as much money watching only a few kids as she did at her job atthe center, since centers notoriously underpay employees so the center can turn it's profit.