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Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

  • 1.  Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-23-2022 07:33 AM
    Does anyone offer teachers or other staff a discount for enrolling their children?  If so, would you share how much please?

    Thanks

    ------------------------------
    Stacie Clayton
    Head of School
    Kingdom Rock Children's Village
    Somerville MA
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  • 2.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 12:10 AM
    Hi Stacie.

    The center I am at offers free child care to those employees who have children that attend the center.  With a huge child care crisis this is an added bonus.

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    Joseph Thompson
    JrK Teacher, Preschool Curriculum Coordinator, Training Coordinator
    Trucks N Trykes Playcare
    Sioux Falls SD
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  • 3.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 01:41 PM
    Thank you

    ------------------------------
    Stacie Clayton
    Head of School
    Kingdom Rock Children's Village
    Somerville MA
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 07:39 AM
    We do a 50% discount on tuition for full time staff.

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    Elizabeth Weller
    Director
    Park Place Children's Center
    Anderson IN
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  • 5.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 07:46 AM
    We're a public school corporation (approx. 1600 students) with a  parent pay preschool program. We do not offer discounts to staff, however we do give the children of staff members preference in enrollment. We only have 2 classrooms of 20 and fill up quickly each year with a waiting list.

    Our issue is that our preschool times are a little different than our K-12 school day. We don't have before or after care for our preschool students. Although, I'd like to offer it, I don't think I could find anyone to run it at this point.

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    Traci Blaize
    Principal
    Lakeland Primary School
    Lagrange IN
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  • 6.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 08:03 AM
    My organization used to be 35% then it was no discount for a couple years but in this era that requires so much recruitment and retention efforts, we are offering 50%.

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    Erin Corcoran
    Director
    Wonderspring Early Education
    Pottstown PA
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  • 7.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 09:32 AM
    Hello!  We offer a 10% discount to part time employees & 20% discount to full time employees.

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    Judi Peacott
    Director
    Holy Family Catholic School
    Woodbridge VA
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  • 8.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 11:21 AM
    We are a private, non-profit and offer a 50% discount for children of staff, which is similar to what other private schools in the area offer.

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    Sharon Culbertson
    Head Teacher/Director
    Trinity Community Preschool
    Naugatuck CT
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  • 9.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 11:27 AM
    I give 10% off. In past years, it's been free or up to 50% off.

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    Loni Elmore
    Glenwood IL
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  • 10.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 05:35 PM
    Thank you.

    Stacie

    Kingdom Rock Children's Village
    10 Winslow Avenue
    Somerville, MA  02144
    www.kingdomrockcv.org








  • 11.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 11:32 AM
    The discount or free you are giving the employee wouldn't that need to be counted as income on there W4. I attended an HR seminar and that is what they instructed.

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    Allyson Ball
    Director
    Imagination Station
    Indianapolis IN
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  • 12.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 11:54 AM
    Yes, it is income, but I deduct it tax free.  But, if they do it that way, they can't claim it on taxes.  But, I always explain it's better to have your money to manage yourself.

    ------------------------------
    Maria Scholtz
    Owner
    Sunshine Learning Center
    Naples FL
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  • 13.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 12:14 PM
    You are correct, Allyson. It is unearned income.
    Kari O'Connor
    Director
    School for Little Children







  • 14.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 11:35 AM
    We offer staff including our church staff a 10% discount for their children.

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    Dorothy Arnett
    Director
    Sequoyah Hills Early Enrichment Program
    Knoxville TN
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  • 15.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 12:52 PM
    After 90 days, all employees receive a 50% discount off tuition for their enrolled children.

    ------------------------------
    Catherine Awong
    Director
    Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
    Mililani, HI, USA
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  • 16.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-24-2022 09:45 PM
    Hi there,
    We do not offer a tuition reduction or discount to employees with children because it is a discriminatory benefit. Unless a school compensates employees who do not have children in the school the same value as the discount others receive, then employees without children in the school are the recipients of discrimination. For example using round numbers, if two teachers earn $40,000 per year and one of them has a child in the school who receives a discount of $10,000, the employee with the child is essentially earning $10,000 more than his/her peer. I'm not ok with that and neither is my school board or host church. We do waive the very modest registration fee for employees as we do for church members, active military, and other groups; employees are welcome to apply for a tuition scholarship which is reviewed and voted on by the school board.

    ------------------------------
    Kari O'Connor
    Director
    Bellaire United Methodist School for Little Children
    Bellaire TX
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 08:50 AM
    Hi Kari,

    I get your reasoning. It reminds me of conversations we would have at my last center when insurance was offered to all, but not everyone needed it as some were on their partner's insurance - so not everyone benefited equally. I'm wondering how the conversations we're having around equity fit into this question. 

    Quote from this article: https://www.marinhhs.org/sites/default/files/boards/general/equality_v._equity_04_05_2021.pdf 
    "Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and
    allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome."

    I know there aren't easy answers to this, but thought I would share some of my initial thinking.

    ------------------------------
    Kimberly Tice
    Executive Director
    Ohio AEYC (138)
    Mount Gilead OH
    ------------------------------



  • 18.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 09:10 AM
    It's tricky for sure and equity is a piece to consider. That is why we can (when needed) help teachers with students in our school through our scholarship program. We have a healthy budget for need-based scholarships and anyone can apply for them. That way the tuition reduction is tied to the student, not the employee's compensation.
    Kari O'Connor
    Director
    School for Little Children







  • 19.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 09:19 AM
    That's great to hear, Kari. Thanks for the additional information to help my understanding.

    ------------------------------
    Kimberly Tice
    Executive Director
    Ohio AEYC (138)
    Mount Gilead OH
    ------------------------------



  • 20.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 01:14 PM
    I responded to original writer I do not believe this is discriminatory.  If they had children they WOULD  receive that benefit equally.  Here, we also offer a small stipend to staff as 'other income' (taxed) to help with health insurance(with proof)  If they don't have insurance they don't get it.  It's not discriminatory, it's based on need or meeting criteria.  We also pay more to staff with CDAs or other degrees.   Thanks for loving on little ones!!!   warmly, deb

    ------------------------------
    Debbie Danforth
    director
    Little Folks Inc
    Coeur D Alene ID
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  • 21.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 10:23 AM
    By that logic wouldn't it also be discriminatory for the person who has greater expenses with having a child,  which would lower their financial benefit?

    Stacie

    ------------------------------
    Stacie Clayton
    Head of School
    Kingdom Rock Children's Village
    Somerville MA
    ------------------------------



  • 22.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 01:46 PM
    Good question, Stacie, but an employer is not responsible for bridging the gap in expenses from one employee's family to another. An employer is responsible for compensating employees in a non discriminatory manner. Once the money leaves the employer, and is transferred to the employee, the employee is responsible for how it's allocated and their own life choices.
    Kari O'Connor
    Director
    School for Little Children







  • 23.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 03:03 PM
    Got it.

    ------------------------------
    Stacie Clayton
    Head of School
    Kingdom Rock Children's Village
    Somerville MA
    ------------------------------



  • 24.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 02:00 PM
    Thank is an interesting take.  It is not legally discriminatory at all but I understand the ethical dilemma it might bring to some.  It is offered to all, regardless of whether they have children or not, just like coverage rates for a "family" can cover one child or many.  There are also public transportation benefits, weightloss club discounts, etc.  Especially in the staffing crisis, there have been more and more ideas like these to attract and retain staff.

    ------------------------------
    Erin Corcoran
    Director
    Wonderspring Early Education
    Pottstown PA
    ------------------------------



  • 25.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 08:56 AM
    Regarding teacher discounts for their own children; I have a contract that states the expectation of both parties.  At the bottom it is clearly stated that this is their bonus.  It states what the savings are for them and the cost to the school.  I write it out in terms so they see what they are getting.  I also have  them sign that they realize it is their bonus and they do not qualify for any additional bonuses offered throughout  the year.  I do a staff bonus twice yearly.  The bonuses are based on a number of things, but mostly on how well the school is doing.  I am a private owner with no additional funding.

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    Maria Scholtz
    Owner
    Sunshine, Snuggles & Scribbles Learning Centers
    Naples FL
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  • 26.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 04:09 PM
    By this logic, all benefits that people with children get that people without children don't get are discriminatory. Was the child care tax credit discriminatory? Are WIC benefits discriminatory? This is really a systemwide issue, but the fact is that most childcare teachers cannot afford to send their children to the centers that they work at. I really cannot imagine anyone getting upset that their coworkers are  receiving a discount for their children's tuition. Different situations call for different treatment, that is equity and true fairness.

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    Sara Peters
    North East MD
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  • 27.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-26-2022 05:03 PM
    Hi Sara,
    The Child Tax Credit and WIC play an important role in society, and they are need-based. Not everyone receives them, because not everyone needs them. Parents receive the benefits based on demonstrated need to the government. The parents' employers play no role in determining need or distributing funds as part of compensation. There is no dispute that some families need tuition assistance. Meeting financial needs through a scholarship fund that ANY student's family can apply for (especially employees with students) is the path to providing non-discriminatory assistance. Families can apply, your school board or similar committee can review the applications and determine the level of assistance. The outcome is likely the same, the employee receives tuition assistance, but the mechanism for granting the assistance is not tied to employment; it's open and available to any student's family regardless of the parents' place of employment. At my school most of our employees do not have students enrolled because their children are older than preschool age. The ones that do are welcome (and encouraged!) to apply for scholarships, but we don't assume they need assistance by automatically granting unearned income. 
    Of course each administrator or Head of School has a different tolerance for risk, and each is able to make their own decisions based on their level of comfort.
    Kari O'Connor
    Director
    School for Little Children







  • 28.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-28-2022 12:59 PM
    Aloha All,
    I believe that we can go on discussing this topic forever.  Every school does things differently and has different reasons for why they do things the way they do.  I came to my current school after 20 years at my former school.  Both schools treat employee discounts differently. 
    Here in Hawaiʻi, as in many other parts of the country right now, we have a severe shortage of ECE teachers.  Giving those with young children an employee discount not only helps us retain staff, but it helps with enrollment, too.  50% of one studentʻs tuition collected is more profitable than having that slot stay empty.  I appreciate the viewpoint that this can be construed as discrimination, but honestly, with the extremely low pay in our profession (which means we are professionals, right?) it is a much appreciated benefit that doesnʻt bother any of our staff who do not receive it.  (At this time, we only have two teachers with one child each enrolled here.) Looking at it from a benefits standpoint, we offer medical, and pay all but 1.5% of the monthly premium for those who take it, but we do not pay anything to those who decline it.  We currently offer a 1% match for those who opt in to our retirement plan, but we do not pay anything to those who opt out. 
    I enjoyed this discussion, and I appreciate everyoneʻs thoughts and opinions.  Mahalo nui loa for this forum, which opens our minds and keeps us informed on how others operate their centers.  Have a wonderful weekend!
    God bless you all!

    ------------------------------
    Catherine Awong
    Director
    Mililani Presbyterian Preschool
    Mililani, HI, USA
    ------------------------------



  • 29.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-25-2022 08:39 AM
    We are advocating here in Ohio to provide something similar to what Kentucky is doing (see below) using state/federal funding. This would be a win-win. Programs would recieve reimbursement for the free or discounted child care they provide to their employees. It could also be a recrutiment & retention strategy. Empolyees with young children would see more money in their paycheck without some of them having to worry about losing public benefits. Is anyone else working on this in your state? What do you see as the pros/cons?

    A new regulation in Kentucky is set to go into effect next month will make all employees of child care programs categorically eligible for state child care subsidies. All employees, no matter if they are teachers, administrators, kitchen staff, etc. will be considered a "protected population" under the rule, which is the first of its kind in the nation. 

    (3) Effective October 24, 2022, to the extent funds are available, a household shall have all earned and unearned income excluded from the eligibility determination if an applicant or responsible adult meets the requirements of subsection (1) of this section and has verified employment in a regulated: (a) Licensed child-care center; or (b) Certified family child-care home. (4) Compliance with subsection (1) of this section for an applicant or a responsible adult who is self-employed shall be determined by dividing income calculated in accordance with Section 8(6)(d) of this administrative regulation by an hourly pay rate of no less than minimum wage established in accordance with KRS 337.275.



    ------------------------------
    Kimberly Tice
    Executive Director
    Ohio AEYC (138)
    Mount Gilead OH
    ------------------------------



  • 30.  RE: Discount for Enrolling Children of Staff

    Posted 10-27-2022 07:38 AM
    We offer all employees a 30% discount for the first 2 years, then a 40% and a 50% based on the longevity they have at the Center. It impacts our budget when a large amount of employee's children are taking spots vs the community-it is an investment we put into the employees. Our employees often do not qualify for state assistance due to their rate of pay, even if single.  Those who have been employed longer get a higher % off.  We have discussed a cafeteria plan for all benefits and it would mean choose one or other.  Complicated issues as some believe "you CHOSE to have children" or "CHOSE to get married" instead of the opportunity to do either.  It can be a passionate discussion if you bring in your employees on it as each person has their own story to accompany their wants.

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    Mary
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