The following was written for COLlive.com by a director of a playgroup in Crown Heights. The author requested anonymity as this issue pertains to other playgroups in the neighborhood as well:
Can we chat about a group that is really suffering right now?
The Crown Heights community is growing and the schooling system starts on the most part at 3 years old. The few schools that cater to younger children are filled almost immediately leaving many working parents with the need to find childcare in safe, fun environments where they will grow and learn.
This is where Crown Heights playgroups step in. They provide all the above and more with teachers who are loving, kind and giving. Especially for those who go into chinuch at this age and stage, patience and love are very important pieces. Most playgroup teachers fill this abundantly.
Crown Heights playgroups are in a fight for their lives at the moment. Many of them rent spaces (at the normal exorbitant Brooklyn rental prices) and as schools are closed they have no means of income to cover their expenses.
We have all been put into an absolutely horrible situation with the world shutting down due to Covid-19. School’s tuition has not changed and they continue to rightfully charge the tuition that parents agreed upon at the beginning of the school year to help cover the costs of rent, teachers pay, etc.
Especially in the younger grades, teachers are preparing for a class or 2 and may even prepare a packet at the beginning of the week. For the most part, parents are paying for full tuition and receiving a small amount.
When it comes to playgroups, we are not afforded the same courtesy. We understand that we are not providing the childcare that you signed up for. We understand that Zoom classes for this age -while “cute”- are far from ideal. We also know that everyone is struggling right now.
Yet the landlords call expecting to be paid for their space. And the teachers and assistant teachers hired for playgroups are also currently struggling as they are out of jobs too.
Many of us are left wondering how are we going to survive this? Do we continue to put money into our now empty spaces in the hope that eventually we will be able to re-open? Or take on the debt to repay in the future from future earnings? Should we just cut our losses and shut down, putting our stuff into storage (and incur the expense of a move and storage)? And when the time comes that we can re-open, reevaluate if this is really something we want to pour money into again? Do we sell off our stuff now?
One thing is for certain: When the next school year comes and parents are looking to place their children, the pickings for playgroups will be much slimmer. By then, many will have closed up shop for good.
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If you care about this, perhaps reach out to the director of the playgroup your child is in and find a way to help them out in this difficult time so that they are not dealing with the financial strain fully on their own.
While no one could have predicted this current situation, they did accept your child with the knowledge that it would bring in a certain amount of parnassah and now they are left without.
What makes you so different from the rest of the businesses that aren’t allowed to open but need to pay rent? All the people who are jobless right now? I feel bad for you but you are not in a special class. Unfortunately so many have lost their income, and need to pay rent in businesses that they have no income. My husband is one of them.
Teachers And assistants should Go on unemployment. Discontinue renting until September. Landlords can hold on to it for you- because who else are they are finding at this time? Or you’ll start a new search in the Summer/ Fall.
Everyone that is in need of Assistance should file for Unemployment ASAP,
New York State is giving for all those that apply $1,1104 every Week ($4,416 every Month) Per Person in Unemployment Assistance https://www.ny.gov/services/get-unemployment-assistance
I mean $1104 A Week Per Person in Unemployment Benefits
Correction MAX $1104
Most people are getting closer to $850
And after taxes its around $750.
Due to COVID19, Unemployment is currently paying an additional $600 per week on top of what one would have qualified for pre-COVID19. The maximum one could previously qualify for (based on income level — I.e., based on amount paid into unemployment find) under normal circumstances was $504 per week. So the MOST one can get during the COVID19 crisis is $1,104 per week. That doesn’t mean everyone will automatically get that amount if they wouldn’t have qualified for $504 per week under normal circumstances.
These playgroups, for the most part, do not report any income. Many only accept cash – I wonder why??? You didn’t want to give money to government, so don’t expect the government to give you money back. You don’t pay into the system, don’t expect the system to pay you. So when there is an economic downturn, government – which does not fund raise, it collects TAXES – creates programs for businesses, individuals, etc. These playgroups could have easily applied for the paycheck protection program. Oh wait, but they haven’t been licensed, haven’t paid taxes EVER. So all the money… Read more »
Was about to write the same thing. I do feel sorry for your loss. Truly. Do consider though all the other benefits you’ve been getting by not reporting the income- whether it allows you to receive Medicaid or food stamps or headstart or at the very least allows you to keep the 30% the rest of us pay in taxes, and weigh that against the months of income you’ve now lost.
The landlord has a mortgage to pay. They are intitled to there rent. You did rent the space.
If you want a break ask the bank / government to give the owner a break…
Many landlords are only asking for half the rent now, if the place is empty
No one can be evicted for non-payment of rent due to COVID in NY state. Many commercial and residential renters are doing this.
EVERYONE SHOULD GO TO THEIR LANDLORD AND ASK TO LOWER THE RENT….IT CAN’T CONTINUE LIKE THIS!
plenty of cheaper places with good chinuch
The exorbitant cost of the playgroups in CH is ridiculous too. Most young mothers are only able to take on part time jobs. After taxes deducted, and paying for 1-2 playgroups all the mother’s income is gone! Yes real estate is expensive for parents too!!
I feel terrible for all Yidden in this and similar predicaments – and there are many. May Hashem bring us all the yeshuos we need! Since as painful as it is it isn’t realistic to expect parents to pay for playgroup that isn’t happening, and can’t even continue in any real form online, I would suggest the following practical solution for playgroup Morahs who now can not pay their bills: Your best bet now would be to babysit for individual families – each Morah separately – and I am sure enough families with mother working remotely can use this service.… Read more »
Can I get help for my rental thats not rented now due to covid 19
Here is a Beautiful Article put together by CHYE Full of Resources for all those struggling and in need of Financial Assistance in Crown Heights https://collive.com/small-business-and-personal-assistance-for-affected-by-covid-19/
Don’t try to frame your article as if you’re doing parents a courtesy by being there for us. It’s no secret everyone and their neighbor opens a playgroup cuz they can charge a BLOODY FORTUNE – in CASH!! Sorry, no sympathies from us parents who paid your inflated costs. You’ve been greedy, taking advantage of the need. Now you’re going to cry to those you’ve taken advantage of?? Is this for real?? And this is why you cant compare yourself to schools, we have an entirely different relationship with them: where you’re greedy they’re compassionate; where you take advantage they… Read more »
My fellow Chasidim, We just went through a crazy challenge we were literally ke’ish Chad blev echad, in it together and helping one another – let’s keep the harmony for just a few more moments. The author, like many of us is hurting – and needs our empathy and love. Let’s cut some lack and at least give the author a shoulder to lean on – wouldn’t we want the same. Dear playgroup director, we understand the challenging time you are going through. Know, that you are alone we are together with you. Hashem always helps. And thank you for… Read more »
Of running illegally and not being able to file for unemployment or PPE. Think of all the money you saved on taxes all those years.
While I am sympathetic to the author and those in this situation, there are two points I’d like to point out:
Regarding the point made about schools still charging tuition, there are many, many teachers that are still teaching their full hours over the phone or zoom. So the parents are not “paying the full amount” and only “receiving very little”.
Secondly, I have heard of friends that while their children are currently not receiving anything from the playgroup, are still paying the full fees in order to “hold the spot”.
Give up your spot and don’t worry about a “shortage” because so many new playgroups are waiting to open as soon as there is a void.
The basement rentak will be grabbed by the new playgroup and your “customers” will be grabbed too.
You made your money over the years. Now give someone else a chance to rack in the bucks.
Playgroup teachers are loving and caring and put there heart and soul into your kids.. why are you bashing them!if your morah demands that pay should be going on even now that your the stupid parent to pay it!!!if there’s no service there’s koboay zoom is not counted
Achdus brings Moshiach.
Each person in the situation, parents, playgroup teachers, those who rent out their space..
for each one it’s difficult. Moshiach comes with aches. Let’s have understanding for each other.
Each person in this situation, the play school directors and teachers, the parents, and the people who rent out their space – For each one it is difficult.
ACHDUS brings Moshiach. Let’s understand each other.
To lose your parnassah is so difficult- and we so appreciate all you do.
Acc to the the letter #29 from the “Gedalya society” that young families with children pose least risk and may begin to associate with one another- why cant playgroups with young morahs reopen?
They paid you cash and couldn’t deduct the childcare expense when they needed to. They were looking out for their wonderful, caring playgroup staff – and shouldering the tax expense so you wouldn’t have to.
The parents can’t be expected to do more. Especially that many of them are hurting financially as well – and have to juggle child care on their own.
Moreover, it’s not the landlords fault. The landlord gave you the space when you needed it – why “stiff” them bec you feel the parents are “stiffing” you?
Hatzlacha Rabba.
All CH Playgroup Morahs, Teachers and anyone else that is currently not working should file for New York State Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), It is the same amount of Assistance given as regular Unemployment up to $1,104 Weekly / $4,416 Monthly Per Person in Pandemic Assistance, https://dol.ny.gov/pandemic-unemployment-assistance Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) Eligibility is for the following below Self-employed; Have insufficient work history and affected by COVID-19 Independent contractor; Work for an app-based company (i.e. “gig worker”); Farmer; Diagnosed with COVID-19 or have COVD-19 symptoms and are seeking a diagnosis; Living with a household member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19;… Read more »
I would stop paying rent for the time being. The next thing I would do is open the playgroup. Safely. If your ratio is 1:5, then get 5 kids and a teacher. If it’s 1:6, then get 6 kids. Get a second teacher when you have enough kids. What’s stopping anyone from doing this? The Gestapo? You’re allowed to have small gatherings. Aderaba, while schools cannot open, it seems to me that the playgroups can start opening. Just have to be concerned about mosrim unfortunately
Not paying for a space you are renting would be considered stealing.
I am a bubby that picks up my grandchildren at various playgroups, and I can only say that the love and care that they have for the children is amazing.
Also, before you start shouting about their tax issues, ask yourself, do you not pay in cash sometimes on Kingston Avenue to avoid taxes….