Registration Fee

[dethnode]

So my daycare, used only once a week, closed in October of 2020. When closing they said they had to undergo a new state registration and qualification process and that they would be opening back up in a couple of months. It has been now been 5 months, they have not reopened (upon asking their reply has always been "we just need approval for this or that, two more weeks"). I have learned that the name of the daycare is going to change, but same owner. Also, the hours are changing which do not fit with my work schedule. I have worked my schedule thus far to not enroll my child at a different facility but I can no longer do so. Am I entitled to a refund of the registration fee?

[Blackcat31]

So my daycare, used only once a week, closed in October of 2020. When closing they said they had to undergo a new state registration and qualification process and that they would be opening back up in a couple of months. It has been now been 5 months, they have not reopened (upon asking their reply has always been "we just need approval for this or that, two more weeks"). I have learned that the name of the daycare is going to change, but same owner. Also, the hours are changing which do not fit with my work schedule. I have worked my schedule thus far to not enroll my child at a different facility but I can no longer do so. Am I entitled to a refund of the registration fee?

A registration fee covers cost of paperwork etc enrolling a child.

Cost of filing paperwork does not usually vary just because attendance does.

If your child attended even one day, I would think you are not entitled to a refund of your registration fee.
Did you pay a deposit to hold your space during closure or just the registration fee upon enrollment?

[dethnode]

A registration fee covers cost of paperwork etc enrolling a child.

Cost of filing paperwork does not usually vary just because attendance does.

If your child attended even one day, I would think you are not entitled to a refund of your registration fee.
Did you pay a deposit to hold your space during closure or just the registration fee upon enrollment?

The registration fee was $150 (I would assume that the cost of paperwork is not $150) There were no additional fees associated with the closure simply a verbal promise that they were going to be opening back up "most likely in December of 2020" and that my kid would have his spot held and no additional fees would be charged

[Snowmom]

Why not reach out and ask what the plans are and if the hours truly are changing?

FWIW, my registration fee not only covers paperwork, it covers basic supplies each child needs from wipes, to back ups, to their cubby/folders, name plates, their own notebook, writing utensils, nap mats & sheets, plus my time to put it all together.

Many daycares around here changed operating hours as well because it now takes us quite a bit of extra time to do the extra cleaning that licensing wants and parents demand during this pandemic. Put on top of that, many families who now work from home, and it just makes more business sense to recoup those hours by closing earlier instead of extra man hours & wages.

[dethnode]

Why not reach out and ask what the plans are and if the hours truly are changing?

FWIW, my registration fee not only covers paperwork, it covers basic supplies each child needs from wipes, to back ups, to their cubby/folders, name plates, their own notebook, writing utensils, nap mats & sheets, plus my time to put it all together.

Many daycares around here changed operating hours as well because it now takes us quite a bit of extra time to do the extra cleaning that licensing wants and parents demand during this pandemic. Put on top of that, many families who now work from home, and it just makes more business sense to recoup those hours by closing earlier instead of extra man hours & wages.

I have reached out, I reached out in December and they said hopefully January, then in January it was hopefully end of January, then it was "definitely February".... The hours are changing, I wasn't informed, until I saw that the name changed when I drove by the building, and looked at their facebook page.

I get that you have certain things that make business sense such as recouping the cost of the lost clients by closing early. However, when I enrolled my kid the hours were X and I chose that daycare because on the one day a week I needed to be able to pick him up at a certain time. Now, because without any agreement from me, they changed their hours, I will have to pay them AND someone else to pick him up and keep him because just like they have to make decisions based upon their business, I and my employer make decisions based on our financial interest.

We provided wipes when he needed them, the sleep mat is a cost of business, it doesn't stay with the child, we took him a sleep blanket each day he went (could leave it there through the week but it came home since he only went once a week), I mean the registration fee was purely to cover getting him into their system.

If this is not refundable in this situation, what would be different from me opening a daycare, charging a registration fee, running it for 3 days, then closing and keeping thousands of dollars in registration fees based upon 150 per kid and 10 kids per class, and 4 classes?

[Unregistered, NOT OP]

Question: when did your child start attending this childcare?

[Snowmom]

If this is not refundable in this situation, what would be different from me opening a daycare, charging a registration fee, running it for 3 days, then closing and keeping thousands of dollars in registration fees based upon 150 per kid and 10 kids per class, and 4 classes?

To address ^ this first, any company can do this to you. That's why we (consumers) do our due diligence when enrolling or hiring services. We get referrals, we look at the BBB, we look at the licensing history, the longevity in business, etc.

I have reached out, I reached out in December and they said hopefully January, then in January it was hopefully end of January, then it was "definitely February".... The hours are changing, I wasn't informed, until I saw that the name changed when I drove by the building, and looked at their facebook page.

I get that you asked them about opening, but have you asked them specifically about the hours and if the fee was refundable?
They may be grandfathering in some clients, you just don't know until it's asked/communicated.
Approach them with a professional attitude and inquire about the registration fee and hours.

For instance, I'd find out a specific person (you get further this way, making ONE person accountable) to email (paper trail) and say: "Hello Joan. I noticed you have a really nice new facelift and facebook page that went up. You previously mentioned that your re-opening had been pushed back. Any news on a concrete date yet? One thing that concerned me after reading your new facebook page, is that the hours listed were different than what my contract says is available and what Joey attended before the pandemic closure. Will you be grandfathering in those families that had those later hours? How will the registration fee be applied if it won't? I'd love to touch base with you about some options if possible."

If you still don't get anywhere, then make your approach a little firmer and give options on what you are looking for.
For instance, "Hi again Joan. I need to touch base again about enrollment. We need a solid plan in place for Joey. If the original contract can't be honored, I understand that. In that instance, I am asking for a refund in the amount of $."

Now, if your contract states that fees are non-refundable, you may not be entitled to a refund. If your length of services is over a certain threshold, you may not be successful in court to receive it either. But it never hurts to ask.

One thing that does come to mind is if this company declared bankruptcy. If they did and another company bought it out, there might be some legalities with your registration fee there too.

[dethnode]

Yes, I have specifically asked about the hours. The manager/director (not owner) has told me that yes the hours are changing, and that if I need someone to watch my child after their new closing time, they have a staff member who will be staying late to keep children but that it would be between me and that staff member to come up with what it would cost. Yes any company can require registration fees. I assume (dangerous, I know) that the company did not go bankrupt, the owner is still the same person, the manager is still the same person, it appears to just be a name change. Upon closure, they told me that they were going to hold spots for all of their clients and that any client would not have to pay a new registration fee when they reopened. We have been a customer of the daycare for approximately 1 and a half years. I last messaged the manager 4 days ago to ask "is there still no set date to reopen?" and this time I have gotten no response... I sent a separate message to the new facebook page, and asked if they knew when they would open 4 days ago as well, no response. My next message will be to the BBB and an attorney...

[Unregistered - not OP]

So did they charge you second registration fee, or do you believe your original registration fee should be refunded?

[Unregistered]

So did they charge you second registration fee, or do you believe your original registration fee should be refunded?

I believe my original registration fee should be refunded... I registered, for a service they opted to quit providing that service...

I paid a registration fee for my older child as well, when she aged out and went into kindergarten I obviously did not ask or expect a refund of her registration fee, that was because I opted to no longer use the services. But I don't feel like I should pay a registration fee and then boom, no daycare any more.

When you pay a "connection fee" for a utility, you expect to be able to use that utility as long as your account is in good standing. If they decide to no longer service your area, you expect that connection fee to be refunded. If you decide to no longer use said utility then your connection fee was forfeited by you.

[Cat Herder]

What, exactly, does the contract say? Did you sign it?

[Unregistered]

What, exactly, does the contract say? Did you sign it?

I signed something upon registration, I have no idea what it said, it may have said non refundable, but if they breach contract, then the nonrefundable part is still refundable. I view the closing and prolonged closure, lack of providing the service when other daycares are now open, the change of the hours at time of contract signing, all to be breach of contract, would it not?

[Cat Herder]

I signed something upon registration, I have no idea what it said, it may have said non refundable, but if they breach contract, then the nonrefundable part is still refundable. I view the closing and prolonged closure, lack of providing the service when other daycares are now open, the change of the hours at time of contract signing, all to be breach of contract, would it not?

In small claims court they will only be interested in the signed legal contract.

Ask for a copy of your signed contract ASAP, it may help you in your case.

If they are the only ones with documentation, there is not much chance of winning your case. Let us know what it says and we may be able to help you from there.

In the future, always keep a copy of what you sign. They should have given you a copy at the time of signing (IMO), some make you ask, though.

[nanglgrl]

I believe my original registration fee should be refunded... I registered, for a service they opted to quit providing that service...

I paid a registration fee for my older child as well, when she aged out and went into kindergarten I obviously did not ask or expect a refund of her registration fee, that was because I opted to no longer use the services. But I don't feel like I should pay a registration fee and then boom, no daycare any more.

When you pay a "connection fee" for a utility, you expect to be able to use that utility as long as your account is in good standing. If they decide to no longer service your area, you expect that connection fee to be refunded. If you decide to no longer use said utility then your connection fee was forfeited by you.

You’ve gotten some great advice here. Reading through it looks like you were with this center for 1.5 years. You paid registration fees for both children when they first started at the center. Both children used the centers services. Then Covid hit and they closed, they haven’t set a concrete reopening date and they changed their hours so the center may no longer be an option for your family. I think that is correct? The registration fee is used to register your child at the center. Once you used the center the first time (it doesn’t matter how long you were able to use it) you were no longer entitled to a refund of the registration fee. If you paid a deposit for the last 2 weeks of care you might be entitled to a refund of that amount, you may even be entitled to any amounts you paid to hold your child’s spot at the center when they were closed due to Covid. Generally a registration fee covers paperwork, supplies, time spent on a family before enrollment and getting the site ready for the child. It’s also a way to make sure someone who says they are interested in enrolling is actually interested and to recoup some of the losses if they dont actually enroll. They don’t have to show how they spent it. I could charge $1000 registration fee if I wanted and it wouldn’t have to go to any specific thing, it’s just what I could charge to deter anyone without $1000 from enrolling. However, like the previous poster said, you may want to look in the contract for their definition of the registration fee and any wording saying non-refundable.

[Unregistered - not OP]

You’ve gotten some great advice here. Reading through it looks like you were with this center for 1.5 years. You paid registration fees for both children when they first started at the center. Both children used the centers services. Then Covid hit and they closed, they haven’t set a concrete reopening date and they changed their hours so the center may no longer be an option for your family. I think that is correct? The registration fee is used to register your child at the center. Once you used the center the first time (it doesn’t matter how long you were able to use it) you were no longer entitled to a refund of the registration fee.

**Bingo!**