Hi there, my child's daycare (in Ohio) updated their policy in case they close due to COVID-19. In short, they are mandating parents pay 50% of the cost of tuition if they are forced to close due to a government order, which is expected to come soon. This doesn't seem right, considering we would be paying for services that aren't being rendered. Here's the language in the contract parents' sign at the time of enrollment: “To ensure consistent quality programming and high-quality staffing, tuition is due even when children are absent. At times, it might be necessary to close the school campus due to weather conditions, holidays, or unforeseen circumstances. No portion of tuition is refunded or cancelled in the event of absence, holiday, school closing, withdrawal, or dismissal from the school.”
What are our options? If we push back and they try to force us to pay, do have any legal recourse or options available? We have our own financial and childcare obligations that we need to manage if they close, so continuing to pay would hurt both us and other parents.
You can choose not to pay, and they can then choose to dis-enroll your child when they are permitted to reopen. You could talk to the other parents, and all could agree that none will pay during the shutdown. That might pressure the day care to reconsider. But every small business is facing challenges. Many will not survive. The day care might not be in business for you when normalcy returns.
