Well, it seems like it might be time to investigate other options. Since your kids are older and potty-trained or near potty trained there might be some more "pre-school" kinds of options out there. Many churches have pre-schools, some more religious than others. I'd start talking to everyone you know - work, neighborhood, community etc, and find out what your other options are for child-care. Some people in your center might also chip-in on a nanny-share kind of program, perhaps in conjuction with morning pre-schools. Keep exploring your options.
Help Badly Needed!
I am in a pickle. DC have been at the same national daycare for nearly two years. The costs have always been high but now they are getting ridiculous.
They asked for a $85 registration fee, a security deposit equal to one week of daycare, $100 extra for the summer program and now they are raising the weekly tuition by nearly 20%!
My kids are older (preschool and pre K age), not tiny infants
I have heard from some of the other moms that people are fighting the increase and "negotiating" over this increase.
I do not want to pay a security deposit. The school knows us by now and to me, asking that of us is a slap in the face.
I also can't justify the 20% increase. Nothing new is being done to the daycare and as always, the teachers get paid jack squat. I honestly think that they have priced so many people out that people are staying at home with their kids now and they need to make it up somewhere....
We have toured other centers and there are other opps elsewhere. What should I do?
They asked for a $85 registration fee, a security deposit equal to one week of daycare, $100 extra for the summer program and now they are raising the weekly tuition by nearly 20%!
My kids are older (preschool and pre K age), not tiny infants
I have heard from some of the other moms that people are fighting the increase and "negotiating" over this increase.
I do not want to pay a security deposit. The school knows us by now and to me, asking that of us is a slap in the face.
I also can't justify the 20% increase. Nothing new is being done to the daycare and as always, the teachers get paid jack squat. I honestly think that they have priced so many people out that people are staying at home with their kids now and they need to make it up somewhere....
We have toured other centers and there are other opps elsewhere. What should I do?
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
I would look at the other options. It is ridiculous that they want this kind of extra money from you this year all of the sudden.
I think that your kids will adjust to a new environment especially if you are less stressed!
Suzy
I think that your kids will adjust to a new environment especially if you are less stressed!
Suzy
Quote:
Well, no, they got a registration fee at the beginning and we've always been paid a week ahead. Now they want a full on security deposit and they want $85 each year just for "registration"
Originally Posted by Geofizz You've already been there two years and now they're asking for a registration fee and security deposit? 
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I agree, a security deposit and registration fee are ridiculous once you're already in the system, especially for 2 years.
When was the last time there were increases? Have they waited years and years to increase fees? I bet they haven't. A 20% increase is unwarranted if there is no additional value to you and your family. I mean, we're not talking the inflation rate here.
I'd be pretty upset if I found out that other families had "negotiated" better fees than what I had. The cost should be upfront, and the same for everyone (unless there are some kind of subsidized spaces).
We use a municipally run dc. We had a fee increase this summer. The last one was 2 years ago. Families that are already in the centre don't pay the new higher rates until their child moves to the next room (which is in almost all cases a lower rate due to lower ratios), or 6 months, whichever comes first.
When was the last time there were increases? Have they waited years and years to increase fees? I bet they haven't. A 20% increase is unwarranted if there is no additional value to you and your family. I mean, we're not talking the inflation rate here.
I'd be pretty upset if I found out that other families had "negotiated" better fees than what I had. The cost should be upfront, and the same for everyone (unless there are some kind of subsidized spaces).
We use a municipally run dc. We had a fee increase this summer. The last one was 2 years ago. Families that are already in the centre don't pay the new higher rates until their child moves to the next room (which is in almost all cases a lower rate due to lower ratios), or 6 months, whichever comes first.
Quote:
The rates have been going up here and there....It's part of the Knowledge Learning Corp. which owns Mulberry, Kindercare et al. There are no subsidized spaces here, believe me.
Originally Posted by Fiercemama I agree, a security deposit and registration fee are ridiculous once you're already in the system, especially for 2 years. When was the last time there were increases? Have they waited years and years to increase fees? I bet they haven't. A 20% increase is unwarranted if there is no additional value to you and your family. I mean, we're not talking the inflation rate here. I'd be pretty upset if I found out that other families had "negotiated" better fees than what I had. The cost should be upfront, and the same for everyone (unless there are some kind of subsidized spaces). We use a municipally run dc. We had a fee increase this summer. The last one was 2 years ago. Families that are already in the centre don't pay the new higher rates until their child moves to the next room (which is in almost all cases a lower rate due to lower ratios), or 6 months, whichever comes first. |
I am at a mulberry childcare here in CA and they just increased our rates too. it only went up 4% though, we paid our security deposit when we enrolled and we also have a yearly registration fee though i don't remember how much it is at this point. i guess it's going around huh?
20% seems way out of line to me, but good care is hard to find and it makes it a very difficult desision as to what is worth it to you.
20% seems way out of line to me, but good care is hard to find and it makes it a very difficult desision as to what is worth it to you.
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
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