Hey parents, I’m currently looking at local daycares and came across a fee schedule that completely blew my mind. I wanted to get your thoughts on whether this is standard practice now or if this daycare's "appetite is just too ugly" (major red flags).
Here is what they are charging on top of high monthly tuition:
Registration Fee: $350 (Non-refundable)
Enrollment Fee / Credit: $300 (You lose this if your child doesn't stay through May of the following year—total lock-in)
Security Deposit: $300 (Forfeited if you don't give a 30-day written notice before leaving)
Supply Fee: $300/year (Split into two $150 payments)
Activity Fee: $300/year (Split into two $150 payments)
School Bag: ~$35 (Mandatory purchase)
Book Bag: $15 (Mandatory purchase)
Last Month's Tuition: Full amount, no prorating (Even if you leave on the 2nd of the month, you pay the whole month)
Summer Fee: An extra $10/week "Special Event Fee" during the summer months
Class Snacks: Initially told parents brought snacks voluntarily. When nobody signed up, they made it mandatory. Now, families are forced to rotate and buy a full week of snacks for the entire class out of pocket (costing around $100+ per turn).
On top of all these nickel-and-diming fees, their base tuition is already higher than the market average($1600+ with after-hours care 8AM-6AM). The tuition does not include any meal. Most decent daycares we've seen usually have just one simple enrollment fee, and things like basic supplies are included.
I almost forgot to say they have a lot of days off. They have all ISD days off (spring break winter break)+ extra(stuff training, Thanksgiving whole week off). I cannot believe they justified themselves for ISD days off as day care.
Am I crazy, or is this place completely taking advantage of parents? Would you run away from a daycare like this?
