Fundraiser for Daycare?

Mini_Mariah

Does your daycare hold fundraisers?

 Our daycare is a for-profit center (small company, three locations).  The location DD attends just moved into new, expanded space, and they're holding a fundraiser to pay for playground equipment for their new outdoor space (their old temporary location did not have outdoor space).  They're asking each family to donate something worth $50 for raffle prizes.  I'd have no problem with this situation if it was a not-for-profit or government entity, but we pay them $325 a week to watch DD.  I don't feel like the parents should have to pay for the playground equipment too.

 In addition, DD is in the infant room, can't walk yet, and won't get much benefit from the playground equipment.  We're trying to sell our condo and move, so she hopefully will be in a new center soon.  But my main problem is that the for-profit center is asking for additional $$$.  Anyone else's daycare do this? 

AlisaS

Yep, get used to it!

blondie75

DD's daycare does have fundraisers, which I don't mind contributing to.  I would however take issue with them dictating how much I should contribute though.

Maybride2

My daycare occasionally holds fundraisers (usually they host a parent date night where they stay open later). 

But each time, they donate the money to a local charity (twice, it went to a staff member that was having a rough time - one who lost her sister and another who lost her husband - to help supplement the leave they took). 

I'd be pissed as hell if I was being asked to fundraise for playground equipment or anything else that should be paid for with tuition money.  I wouldn't donate a thing. 

bstngrl578

Yes, mine does too. The first time it blew my mind  for the exact reason you stated...we are paying them so much money each week! I buy one thing and call it a day!

beenbizzy

Our center has fundraisers.  The center is run by the school district.  I was surprised, too, at first.  Then I realized that it seems like every class in our school district has a fundraiser for something!  Ours sets a goal and encourages families to sell the goal, but there isn't a punishment if they don't.  They are working with the board to establish a policy that if a family sells the goal, they get a sick/vacation day (or more) for free. 

We participate, but usually by buying the goal amount ourselves.  We like our center and the money raised goes to a separate account for supplemental items. 

Temp159135562506975

our daycare has random fundraisers...

they are either for their foundation, which helps out needy families in the area... or to buy specific equipment for the school... or to provide a nice lunch for the teachers for teacher appreciation week, etc.

While it is a "for profit" daycare - things still cost a lot of money and i don't mind doing the fundraisers if it will benefit the school/teachers or those in need.

jlw2505

My center has never had a fundraiser in the almost 3 years that I've been there.  They do other things like fund raisers for good causes in the community but I have never felt pressure to be part of those type of things.  When they do toy and food drives, we always try to bring stuff in and right now we are doing the Campbells labels stuff so we are brining those in.  I would have a very hard time giving money for stuff like playground equipment on top of what I pay each week.

Mini_Mariah

Thanks, ladies.  I would be all for a fundraiser for charity, or even something nice for the teachers.  Or, if the daycare was run by the school district, or a church or some other non-profit organization.  We always help with the fundraisers our cousins or nephews have for their schools or cub scouts.  But I feel like it's ridiculous for a business to ask for additional payment on top of what we're already paying.  It's like Starbucks asking me to donate $ beyond the price of my coffee so they can buy new chairs.   Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is wrong!  AND they're double dipping - they're going to expect us to donate an item for the raffle, and buy raffle tickets.     

fIowerchild

No, mine doesn't and if they asked me to pay for their equipment on top of the $1400 a month tuition, I would give them a raised eyebrow.