I’m glad you’re filing a complaint. I think I would also take them to small claims regarding the February tuition and deposit on the basis of them violating ADA. No idea if that money is sizeable/impactful to you but if they lose it may keep them from pulling the same stunt with the next family that needs a medical accommodation.
Do both! File a complaint AND crucify them on social media!
I agree with this. Filing complaints is great for increased oversight and training in the future, but it isn't going to help parents now. This is something I would want to know if I was considering sending my child there and social media is one of the best tools for that since they aren't subject to citations from the state licensing agency (which was my primary check for daycares when we were looking).
This a good point. I recently provided positive feedback on them in our local mom’s group. I at a minimum need to correct that record.
If I were you, I’d be demanding my money back (and taking them to small claims if they refused), reporting them to any kind of agency you can, AND blasting them on social media. I’d be careful about the wording of the blasting, so it comes across as a PSA and not just as an angry mom, but that’s something that needs to be out there.
If I were a parent considering this school, I’d absolutely want to know their stance on medical accommodations. I would, 100%, never send my kid to a school knowing what has happened here. Even if my kid doesn’t need any kind of accommodation (yet, that we know of), he may in the future. It’s also just not the ethical practice I want my kid involved in. That’s so fucked up and the type of people who are a-ok with that would never be a part of my child’s life.
I get the social media angle, but I am going to file a grievance with their accrediting organization and/or the DOJ for an ADA compliant. I think it is more useful to pursue avenues that will result in increased training and oversight so others are not affected.
Does this preschool have a Board? If they do you can find out who a member is and notify them of this. I served on a preschool Board for years and would want to know about this and would have tried to rectify it. There were things over the years our Director wanted to do and we told her no, so the Board won't always just side with staff.
I get the social media angle, but I am going to file a grievance with their accrediting organization and/or the DOJ for an ADA compliant. I think it is more useful to pursue avenues that will result in increased training and oversight so others are not affected.
Does this preschool have a Board? If they do you can find out who a member is and notify them of this. I served on a preschool Board for years and would want to know about this and would have tried to rectify it. There were things over the years our Director wanted to do and we told her no, so the Board won't always just side with staff.
They do not, they have a small “parent committee.” I am actually the primary person that handles parent events/social stuff.
I get the social media angle, but I am going to file a grievance with their accrediting organization and/or the DOJ for an ADA compliant. I think it is more useful to pursue avenues that will result in increased training and oversight so others are not affected.
I think this is the perfect way to handle this. I'm sure your son isn't the only kid they have done something like this to. I hope he loves his new school and it's an easy transition for all of you!
It’s a private school. They don’t have to honor anything. Is it really shitty of them? Absolutely! But they don’t have to make accommodations like a public school would. I don’t think lawyer’ing up would help anything, except cause you to spend more money when you could go to another school private or not that would honor his need for accommodations.
Post by patches31709 on Feb 7, 2020 14:27:20 GMT -5
I......what?! This is outrageous to me, I am so glad you pulled him. And I would provide this information in a very matter-of-fact review on social media. As a parent looking for schools for my children, I would definitely want to know about this.
Post by imojoebunny on Feb 7, 2020 15:02:24 GMT -5
I am sad and angry that they treated your family this way. It is unconscionable that they would not at least carry out the accommodations, while giving you sufficient notice that they could not accommodate going forward. Does you contract say anything about what happens when a child is ask to leave? My DD went to private school, and as a rule, you paid the year's tuition in advance, and that was non-refundable under pretty much every circumstance, except for being ask to leave.
Post by Shreddingbetty on Feb 7, 2020 15:21:33 GMT -5
I’d even try and get my money back. That is ridiculous. The accommodations needed are far from unreasonable and not accommodating your kid could have serious medical implications. They lied to you took your money and changed their mind. WTF. I would probably pursue this not even so much for the money but just our of principle. How much effort is it to set a timer and remind a kid to go pee every 2 hours. A 4 year old should not be solely responsible for something that could have significant medical consequences. That’s completely absurd. Glad he liked his new school. And ditto on advertising their crappy attitude on social media.
It’s a private school. They don’t have to honor anything. Is it really shitty of them? Absolutely! But they don’t have to make accommodations like a public school would. I don’t think lawyer’ing up would help anything, except cause you to spend more money when you could go to another school private or not that would honor his need for accommodations.
They actually do, this is a common misconception. Title III of the ADA applies to businesses open to the public, which includes private schools and daycares that do not have to follow state licensing requirements. Specifically, they are required to offer the same services to a child with a disability when it comes to toileting as they would to a younger child. If they not cannot provide medically-necessary services, they cannot exclude a child and must allow a parent/personal aide to provide them. They prompt toddlers every hour and provide assistance in the bathroom for bowel movements, so they are in violation on that point. They also refused to allow us to provide services, which is another violation. I have both of these refusals clearly documented in writing. They also cannot say this constitutes a fundamental alteration to a Montessori school because a guidance document from the DOJ on Title III of ADA states that at least 50% of the program must be altered for a fundamental alteration to a Montessori or Waldorf school.
I’m so sorry they are being such a-holes about everything! I would absolutely try to get my money back even if it meant taking them to small claims court.
I would probably provide a copy of your complaint to the school also. That *might* push them to issue a refund just to avoid having to deal with you all anymore at least. Not that it will get them out of violating the ADA, but at least you will be out of it (so to speak).
It’s a private school. They don’t have to honor anything. Is it really shitty of them? Absolutely! But they don’t have to make accommodations like a public school would. I don’t think lawyer’ing up would help anything, except cause you to spend more money when you could go to another school private or not that would honor his need for accommodations.
It’s a private school. They don’t have to honor anything. Is it really shitty of them? Absolutely! But they don’t have to make accommodations like a public school would. I don’t think lawyer’ing up would help anything, except cause you to spend more money when you could go to another school private or not that would honor his need for accommodations.
We still have to follow ADA laws.
But if they don’t have the staff to support a student with health accommodations, they can’t do it. And don’t have to do it.
But if they don’t have the staff to support a student with health accommodations, they can’t do it. And don’t have to do it.
One adult, any adult, needs to remind him to use the bathroom every 2 hours. Unless they staff the classroom with zero teachers, this is absolutely doable. Come on.
But if they don’t have the staff to support a student with health accommodations, they can’t do it. And don’t have to do it.
See above. They are required to provide services they offer younger children, which they do. They also have to allow a parent to come. They refused both.
I would tell them because they are refusing to make medical accommodations they can consider the February check your last payment. And remind them they are lucky you aren’t suing them for intentional ignoring a simple simple request for a medical need.
Reading this I am so angry for you! You appear to be very up on the laws that apply to your situation and that makes me glad for your son. I’m sorry you have been treated so unjustly and I’m glad your son likes the new place. I really hope it ends up being a great fit for your family.
ECE Admin is my field, though not Montessori. I know at our school we’d go out of our way to make these accommodations. Nothing you are requesting is that hard to do! However, in the few extreme instances (like 3 in the 12 years I’ve been there) where we’ve had a parent leave due to our inability to reach a mutual solution, we don’t press on the notice/payment thing. It is not worth the hit to our reputation to fight for the $$, frankly. Yes, the business office makes some attempt to collect, but ultimately, at least in 2 situations, they wrote off the loss rather than subject us to a social media mess.
I hope you find the right place for your family and I’m sorry your DS has to go through this adjustment.