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May 12, 2020

Thank you for your patronage.
We look forward to serving you in the future.

On Friday, June 26, 2020 we close the doors at Buddings Broadway, and reopen at Storybook on Monday July 6. No sob stories, or appeals. This is a business decision to keep the company solvent while we navigate a changing environment.

After 9 years at Broadway, we are almost out of our lease, whereas Storybook has 8 years left. We are not eligible for government daycare support funding, and our attendance dropped by more than 50% in March and 90% in April. May has not shown improvement. We know the downturn on flexible care is temporary, but while it lasts, it is not possible to operate, or even maintain, two centres (and staff). Especially without revenue. 

Happily, the federal wage subsidy program has been extended, so the remaining teachers are being paid by the government, but our monthly membership fees used to cover our rent. To operate for even 6 more weeks, we must reinstate a monthly fee for June. Our service model when we reopen in July will also have to reflect the changing climate, and that may change as we go...

One change, to the membership options, is explained below and 
we will continue to keep you informed about our progress.

To cancel your membership before June, please submit the Change Form by Friday May 15. 

Transfer, Convert, or Pass your hours!

Broadway hours purchased prior to the pandemic have been moved into May without fee or penalty, and we will move them into June for anyone who wishes to maintain their membership.

When we make the move to Storybook, members with hours remaining can choose to:
  1. switch memberships and transfer hours to Storybook, minus the "normal" 2-hour deduction
  2. cancel for July and transfer 50% of hours to a holding voucher for use within the calendar year (active membership required to redeem) 
  3. convert them to BKConline hours in full, to use until they are gone (Check out the program news video on Facebook, and feel free to share!)
  4. You can even transfer them to another active member to use at Storybook in July!
We are focused on providing options for families to use their hours, and appreciate that for some, none of the above is satisfactory. If you believe that only a refund will do at this time, please contact me to discuss a fair split of the loss.

A little commitment goes a long way...

Starting in July, we must also suspend our Occasional Membership. The low-commitment option allows us to maintain relationships with families who don't need our service, but with reduced spaces for social distancing, fewer staff, and heavily pared down management, sustaining all those relationships for a reduced price is unsustainable. 

Our new membership fee is cheaper for regular members - $50 per month - and hours will range from $15 - $20, rewarding families who come often, and commit early.

An Occasional option may return in 2021, but if you would like to attend Buddings past June, we will be asking everyone to complete a Change Form

You can save $10 on June fees if you send it in by Friday, May 15.

"Will Sarah be there...?"

Through all the changes and development of the last 6 weeks, and those of the last 6 years, I have had the privilege and honour to rely on the ever-gracious, thoughtful consideration of the beautiful Broadway manager, Sarah MacDonald. 

She's been with Buddings since May 2014, and I can hardly believe we won't be celebrating the anniversary together this year. Sarah has always wanted to do a Master's, and has been considering child and youth counselling, protection, and other family services options. Through the pandemic shut down, and the resulting upheavals, she has been considering them more seriously, and has decided to pursue them. 

We... I... everyone will miss her tremendously. I know you will, too.

She is completing the run of her May classes at BKConline, on Tuesdays and Thursdays this month, and her email will be active until May 28 if you'd like to wish her well. 

What will the future hold?

No Broadway, and no Sarah. Different options and online programs. Will Buddings be recognizable in the next 6 months? Aïda, Codie, Lynn and I promise to try our best... And you can count on the newsletter to keep you informed ;)

In fact, flexibility and innovation in childcare have always been Buddings staples, and we will continue to offer them in the post-COVID era. 

Contracting the company, and reducing our overhead, is more than a survival tactic! Buddings is adapting, and our new programs will help us rebuild, and grow, in this changed new world. We will continue to offer licensed educational care, now in centre, and online! 

The pandemic has made everyone reluctant to take unnecessary risks. Understandably. But flexible working schedules are here to stay, and we look forward to supporting flexible families at our smaller, cheaper, longer-term centre... in good health. ;)

Click here to see how we've already adapted our program and policies to meet the health and safety needs of a post-COVID climate.

Featured on the blog:

BKConline.club
Join us Tues. & Thurs. at 10am
Code of Covid Conduct
Quick Links for Buddings Daycare
MEMBER LOG IN

Daycare Google Calendar

What to bring to daycare

The Teachers at Buddings

The Twice a Week Plan

Photo Privacy Policy

New Family Integration Prgm.

Membership Switch/Exit
 
Copyright © 2020 Budding Children's Garden & Daycare, All rights reserved.


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