globalnews.ca
Open in
urlscan Pro
192.0.66.184
Public Scan
Submitted URL: https://firstfoundationsjcp.com/
Effective URL: https://globalnews.ca/news/6886878/first-foundations-toronto-area-daycare-coronavirus-refunds/
Submission: On October 27 via api from US — Scanned from CA
Effective URL: https://globalnews.ca/news/6886878/first-foundations-toronto-area-daycare-coronavirus-refunds/
Submission: On October 27 via api from US — Scanned from CA
Form analysis
5 forms found in the DOMGET https://globalnews.ca/
<form class="c-search l-panel__search" method="get" action="https://globalnews.ca/" role="search" aria-label="Search site content in submenu">
<input class="c-search__input" type="text" autocomplete="off" name="s" placeholder="Search Global News" value="">
<button class="c-search__submit" type="submit">
<span class="sr-only">Submit Search</span>
<svg class="c-icon c-icon--black c-search__icon" focusable="false">
<use xlink:href="https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/themes/shaw-globalnews/assets/dist/icons/out/symbol/svg/sprite.symbol.svg?v=bahmjko3l#search"></use>
</svg>
</button>
</form>
GET https://globalnews.ca/
<form class="c-search l-panel__search" method="get" action="https://globalnews.ca/" role="search" aria-label="Search site content">
<input class="c-search__input" type="text" autocomplete="off" name="s" placeholder="Search Global News" value="">
<button class="c-search__submit" type="submit">
<span class="sr-only">Submit search</span>
<svg class="c-icon c-search__icon" focusable="false">
<use xlink:href="https://globalnews.ca/wp-content/themes/shaw-globalnews/assets/dist/icons/out/symbol/svg/sprite.symbol.svg?v=bahmjko3l#search"></use>
</svg>
</button>
</form>
<form class="c-newsletterSignup__container" id="ns-full-inline-form">
<fieldset class="newsletter-hidden-fields">
<input type="hidden" id="cr" name="cr" value="100431">
<input type="hidden" id="fm" name="fm" value="101">
<input type="hidden" id="s_brand" name="s_brand" value="gn">
<input type="hidden" id="s_gn_daily_montreal" name="s_gn_daily_montreal" value="100" data-newsletter-inline-code="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_collector" name="s_collector" value="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_create_date" name="s_create_date" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
<input type="hidden" id="s_last_modified" name="s_last_modified" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
</fieldset>
<label for="ns-inline-email-input" class="sr-only">Sign up for daily Montreal newsletter</label>
<input id="ns-inline-email-input" type="email" class="c-newsletterSignup__input" placeholder="Email address" required="" data-newsletter-inline-email="">
<button id="ns-signup-button" class="c-button c-inlineSignup__button" type="button" data-newsletter-inline-submit="">Sign Up</button>
</form>
<form class="c-newsletterSignup__container">
<fieldset class="newsletter-hidden-fields">
<input type="hidden" id="cr" name="cr" value="100431">
<input type="hidden" id="fm" name="fm" value="101">
<input type="hidden" id="s_brand" name="s_brand" value="gn">
<input type="hidden" id="s_gn_daily_montreal" name="s_gn_daily_montreal" value="100" data-newsletter-inline-code="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_collector" name="s_collector" value="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_create_date" name="s_create_date" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
<input type="hidden" id="s_last_modified" name="s_last_modified" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
</fieldset>
<label for="ns-article-email-input" class="sr-only">Sign up for Montreal newsletter</label>
<input id="ns-article-email-input" type="text" class="c-newsletterSignup__input" placeholder="Email address" data-newsletter-inline-email="">
<button class="c-button c-newsletterSignup__button" type="button" data-newsletter-signup-id="newsletters-signup-article" data-newsletter-inline-submit="">Sign Up</button>
</form>
<form class="c-newsletterSignup__container">
<fieldset class="newsletter-hidden-fields">
<input type="hidden" id="cr" name="cr" value="100431">
<input type="hidden" id="fm" name="fm" value="101">
<input type="hidden" id="s_brand" name="s_brand" value="gn">
<input type="hidden" id="s_gn_daily_montreal" name="s_gn_daily_montreal" value="100" data-newsletter-inline-code="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_collector" name="s_collector" value="">
<input type="hidden" id="s_create_date" name="s_create_date" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
<input type="hidden" id="s_last_modified" name="s_last_modified" value="2024-10-27 10:30:36">
</fieldset>
<label for="ns-sidebar-email-input" class="sr-only">Sign up for Montreal newsletter</label>
<input id="ns-sidebar-email-input" type="text" class="c-newsletterSignup__input" placeholder="Email address" data-newsletter-inline-email="">
<button class="c-button c-newsletterSignup__button" type="button" data-newsletter-signup-id="newsletters-signup-sidebar" data-newsletter-inline-submit="">Sign Up</button>
</form>
Text Content
SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT In the news * Halifax Walmart * Students * Gate Lice * Menendez Brothers Global News Home Subscribe Site theme toggle. Switch between light or dark mode Light Dark Live Search Site theme toggle. Switch between light or dark mode Light Dark GlobalNews home * Watch * World * Canada * Local * Politics * Money * Health * Entertainment * Lifestyle * Perspectives * Sports * Shopping * Commentary * Contests * Podcasts * U.S. News Toronto-area parents out thousands after daycare shut down amid COVID-19 closures Click to return to homepage Leave a comment Share this item on Facebook Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Twitter Send this page to someone via email See more sharing options Full Menu Search Menu Home Trending Watch Local Menu MENU CLOSE Submit Search TOPICS * Watch * World * Canada * MontrealChange location * Politics * Money * Health * Entertainment * Lifestyle * Perspectives * Sports * Shopping * Commentary * Contests * Podcasts * U.S. News TV PROGRAMS * Global National * West Block * The Morning Show * Video Centre * More… CONNECT * Email alerts * Alexa * Breaking News Alerts from Global News * License Content * Contact Us Montreal Change Close Change Close * Barrie * BC * Calgary * Durham * Edmonton * Guelph * Halifax * Hamilton * Kingston * Kitchener * Lethbridge * London * Montreal * New Brunswick * Okanagan * Ottawa * Peterborough * Regina * Saskatoon * Toronto * Winnipeg Global News Facebook Pages Global News Twitter Accounts Global News Youtube Channel Global News on Instagram Global News on LinkedIn Global News on TikTok Global News on Telegram GO BACK CLOSE LOCAL YOUR LOCAL REGION Montreal * Barrie * BC * Calgary * Durham * Edmonton * Guelph * Halifax * Hamilton * Kingston * Kitchener * Lethbridge * London * Montreal * New Brunswick * Okanagan * Ottawa * Peterborough * Regina * Saskatoon * Toronto * Winnipeg SHARE CLOSE Share this item on Facebook facebook Share this item on Twitter twitter Send this page to someone via email email Share this item via WhatsApp whatsapp Share this item on Pocket pocket Share this item via Telegram telegram Share this item on Reddit reddit Copy article link Copy link CALENDAR CLOSE CALENDAR CLOSE * All event types * Comedy * Festival * Food * Health * Music * Sports * Theatre * Virtual * Other SEARCH CLOSE Submit search QUICK SEARCH * * * * * * TRENDING NOW * * * * * * ADD GLOBAL NEWS TO HOME SCREEN CLOSE Instructions: 1. Press the share icon on your browser 2. Select Add to Home Screen 3. Press Add COMMENTS CLOSE COMMENTS MENU Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first. * Coronavirus homepage * Covid case tracker * Vaccination tracker * Questions answered scroll left scroll right Video link Headline link Advertisement Close X Click to scroll back to top of the page Back to top Lifestyle TORONTO-AREA PARENTS OUT THOUSANDS AFTER DAYCARE SHUT DOWN AMID COVID-19 CLOSURES By Meghan Collie Global News Posted May 5, 2020 6:00 am Updated May 5, 2020 1:49 pm 10 min read If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. Find out how you can still connect with us. Hide message bar This article is more than 4 years old and some information may not be up to date. 2:12 Coronavirus outbreak: Toronto-area parents out thousands after daycare goes bankrupt amid COVID-19 closures Video will begin after these messages... close video mute video unmute video Some parents who had kids at a Toronto-area Jewish day school want their money back. They pre-paid their tuition before the province halted such payments. As Albert Delitala explains, it's unclear if they'll see any of that money again – May 4, 2020 Leave a comment Share this item on Facebook Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Twitter Send this page to someone via email See more sharing options SHARE CLOSE Share this item on Facebook facebook Share this item on Twitter twitter Send this page to someone via email email Share this item via WhatsApp whatsapp Share this item on Pocket pocket Share this item via Telegram telegram Share this item on Reddit reddit Copy article link Copy link Descrease article font size Increase article font size Editor’s note: The headline for this story has been updated to clarify the daycare’s ongoing bankruptcy process. When the coronavirus pandemic first closed Ontario schools and daycare centres, Robin Mandel-Buchalter wasn’t very concerned about securing refunds from her daughter’s daycare. The Toronto mom was told that First Foundations Children’s Academy (FFCA) — which had three locations across the Greater Toronto Area — would offer daily video call sessions in lieu of in-person classes. She understood teachers still needed to be paid for their time. Mandel-Buchalter said she paid roughly $4,500 in summer 2019 for daycare in March, April, May and half of June 2020. However, on April 10, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his government ordered child-care centres to stop collecting payments from parents while facilities remained closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Story continues below advertisement READ MORE: Ontario orders closed child-care centres to stop collecting payments, protects spaces “COVID-19 has imposed significant financial pressure on working parents,” Education Minister Stephen Lecce said in a statement. “We need to support our parents who may be facing reduced income or layoffs during the COVID-19 outbreak.” At this point, Mandel-Buchalter and several other parents told Global News they asked FFCA director Alisa Daly to provide refunds they believed they were entitled to under the provincial emergency order, but Daly did not comply. On April 30, Daly issued a new statement to all the families of FFCA. In it, she claims the corporations that operated FFCA had declared bankruptcy. 1:44 Ontario order prevents daycare centres from charging parents during mandatory closures “Due to FFCA’s financial condition, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the private corporations that owned and operated FFCA have declared bankruptcy,” read the statement. Story continues below advertisement “This means that effective immediately, FFCA will permanently terminate all three licenses under the Ministry of Education. In addition, we will not have the funds to return prepaid 2019-20 tuitions. The Ministry of Education is aware of this situation.” The statement also says FFCA will reopen in September 2020 as a “newly created not-for-profit school” affiliated with Beth Sholom Synagogue under the name Beth Sholom’s First Foundations Community Preschool. Overseen by an “independent board of directors,” Daly will remain on as the executive director, says the statement, and parents will still be required to pay tuition. WEEKS OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS It all started on March 31, when Ontario’s government extended closures of all public schools, private schools and child-care centres “until at least May 1st.” In response, on April 3, Daly issued a letter to all parents in which she cancelled virtual programming and laid off all FFCA staff “temporarily.” She also announced that the daycare “does not have the cash to pay refunds.” This shocked Mandel-Buchalter and several other parents who spoke with Global News, all of whom were dismayed that they would not be receiving refunds for care not provided due to coronavirus-related closures. 0:34 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario private schools, daycare centres to remain closed as per emergency order In the letter, obtained by Global News, Daly admitted the daycare was struggling financially prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. She said opening two new FFCA locations — one in Cedarvale in November 2016 and another in Armour Heights in July 2018 — proved to be “too fast” for the organization to sustain. Story continues below advertisement “I subsequently learned from our new finance director that we had grown too fast, funded too many renovations, had too much program development and that Armour Heights had more challenges than we expected despite very strong support from our partner synagogue, Adath Israel,” Daly said in the letter. > “I also learned that in the spring of 2020, we would run out of money.” > > Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "I also learned that in the spring > of 2020, we would run out of money." With help from a “broader group of advisers,” Daly said in the letter the daycare had previously decided to convert FFCA into a non-profit organization — but then the COVID-19 outbreak hit. READ MORE: Ontario school closure extended to May 31 GET DAILY MONTREAL NEWS Get the day's top stories from Montreal and surrounding communities, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily Montreal newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. “While this may serve as little comfort, I can tell you that, if necessary, and if FFCA has to permanently close, I will personally borrow money to return to each family what I can,” read the letter. “As the leader of this organization, I hold myself accountable.” Global News spoke to Daly, and she said parents like Mandel-Buchalter are in the “vast minority and don’t represent how (the community) feels.” “FFCA was a growing Jewish preschool, with a progressive educational program and diverse staff of dedicated professionals. Unfortunately, like many small businesses, it grew too fast and simply could not withstand the impacts of COVID-19,” Daly said in the email to Global News. Story continues below advertisement Daly says she “deeply regrets” not being able to offer parents refunds on prepaid tuition but is “humbled” by the support of school families and the community. View image in full screen Robin Mandel-Buchalter and her family at their home. “While I deeply regret that we cannot refund prepaid tuition, I am humbled by the incredible support of so many school families and my community, and look forward to continuing FFCA’s mission as a new not-for-profit school affiliated with Beth Sholom Synagogue, a cornerstone of Toronto’s Jewish community,” Daly said. Mandel-Buchalter says the letter from Daly amid the COVID-19 outbreak was the first time she had heard about FFCA’s financial troubles. On April 20, Mandel-Buchalter says she filed a formal complaint to the Ministry of Education. She says the ministry told her that it would investigate the situation at FFCA within five business days. Story continues below advertisement READ MORE: Child-care advocates say providers need pandemic relief from Ford government By April 28, Mandel-Buchalter says she was told that if she wasn’t contacted by Daly regarding refunds within 48 hours, she was to contact the ministry again. “If (there was) no answer, I (was) to forward my attempt to the ministry and they will then ‘enforce the law,'” Mandel-Buchalter said. Mandel-Buchalter says Daly did not respond by the morning of April 30, so she notified the ministry. On the same day, Daly made the announcement that FFCA had declared bankruptcy and it would reopen in the fall as a not-for-profit organization. More on Lifestyle More videos * People with disabilities ask feds to restore ‘hope’ and raise benefit amount * Breaking a mortgage can be costly as rates fall. How to lessen the penalty * ‘Gate lice,’ begone! Airline tests tool to shame premature boarders * Immigration has kept Canada’s economy afloat. What will coming cuts mean? * Variety Week 2024: Sensory room helps students reset * Variety Week 2024: Therapy helps Asher find his words * Youth boxing program teaches kids how to roll with the punches * Rising baby formula prices putting squeeze on B.C. families READ MORE: Alberta government releases plan to keep K-12 students learning amid COVID-19 pandemic LOSS OF FUNDS CAUSING ‘MANY SLEEPLESS NIGHTS’ That FFCA will reopen as a not-for-profit doesn’t surprise Mandel-Buchalter, as Daly had mentioned her intentions to do so in earlier correspondence, but she was shocked to hear parents had no further recourse. “What I don’t understand is how the assets can transfer from one school to another. If she’s declaring bankruptcy, shouldn’t the assets from the first business be sold so creditors can recoup something?” Mandel-Buchalter said. She says she’s also upset that the Ministry of Education would allow Daly to serve as executive director of the new school after this situation. Story continues below advertisement 2:01 Coronavirus: Daycare centres at risk over rent “How is the new school able to get licensed with her tainted name on the record? How can the ministry trust her with another licence?” she said. Mandel-Buchalter’s daughter moves on to junior kindergarten in the fall, so she will no longer attend FFCA, but she’s worried about the same thing happening to other families. “It’s not impacting our financial situation, but there are other families where parents (have been) laid off. They could really have benefited from the refund. This is not a remedy,” she said. READ MORE: ‘Finding light’ — High school gay-straight alliances go virtual amid coronavirus Michael Budd, another FFCA parent, says he is also missing roughly $5,075 for the care not provided during the COVID-19 outbreak — assuming the daycare remains closed until June 11, which was slated to be the last day of the FFCA school year. Trending Now * Trump repeated election lies in his interview with Joe Rogan. Here are the facts * Woman found dead in oven at Halifax Walmart located by her mother, organization says Story continues below advertisement Due to extenuating circumstances, he has been his family’s sole provider for the last four years, and he says this has certainly had an “impact.” Not getting a refund has caused him “many sleepless nights.” 4:26 How to homeschool your kids during the COVID-19 pandemic “I don’t understand how the ministry can now allow another business to operate … with her as the executive director,” Budd said. Steve, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, has a two-year-old who attends FFCA. He’s most upset that this situation has cast the daycare in a negative light because his child loves going there. “We’re not asking for anyone’s sympathy. This is about receiving the service we paid for,” he told Global News. READ MORE: Quebec parents fear sending kids back to school, concept of ‘herd immunity’ He says he’s missing roughly $8,000 because, in addition to tuition for April to June 2020, he paid a $500 deposit for summer camp and a $1,500 deposit for next year. Story continues below advertisement Daly has offered to put the deposits towards next year, but Steve says he’s also been asked to submit two more deposits worth $1,500 each on July 1 and Aug. 1 to hold his child’s spot for the 2020-21 school year. 1:42 Coronavirus outbreak: Ontario expands list of those eligible for emergency child care Steve and his wife aren’t sure they’re comfortable doing so due to their past experience with FFCA. “We are happy that Beth Sholom will have a daycare but are reconsidering sending (our child) to FFCA because (Daly) has been given a prominent leadership role,” Steve said. NO RECOURSE AT THIS TIME Unfortunately, the province’s emergency order does not include any information about what happens if a child-care centre declares bankruptcy. When asked about the investigation into FFCA, the Ministry of Education declined to discuss whether it received a complaint about FFCA or whether it is conducting an investigation. Story continues below advertisement READ MORE: Canadians who didn’t have a job even before coronavirus — What help can they get? In an email to Global News, a spokesperson reiterated the details of the emergency order. “Effective April 9, all child-care providers are prohibited from charging fees to parents where care is not being provided and are also prohibited from penalizing parents,” read the email. “If fees have been paid in advance by parents, child-care providers should reimburse parents for any fees paid for the period of time from April 9 and beyond.” READ MORE: What should Quebec’s upcoming plan to return to school look like? The ministry investigates complaints received from the public about licensed child-care centres, home child-care providers overseen by licensed agencies and unlicensed child-care providers who may be in violation of this emergency order, the spokesperson said. Parents can report complains to the Ministry of Education by calling 1-877-510-5333 or emailing childcare_ontario@ontario.ca. Budd feels “unsupported” by the provincial government and the Ministry of Education. READ MORE: Coronavirus — Parents don’t have to be teachers, but learning doesn’t have to stop “The province has failed to support parents adequately,” he said. “Nobody asked for this, I get that, but you have to be there to support people. When you put in a policy that (others) have circumvented, what are you doing to do to support (those who have been wronged)?” Story continues below advertisement That parents are out thousands of dollars with no recourse is a “slap in the face,” said Budd. “We’re complying with every order… I go out once a week to get groceries. I’m working 12 hours a day for my employer to support (others) and there’s nothing I can do. Nobody seems to care to step up.” Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know: Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. Some provinces and territories have also implemented additional recommendations or enforcement measures to ensure those returning to the area self-isolate. Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities. To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out. Story continues below advertisement For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here. Meghan.Collie@globalnews.ca Curator Recommendations * We put 5 hand creams to the test–here’s how they ranked * Stay warm and cozy all winter long with these heated blankets Journalistic standards Comment Report an error © 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. SPONSORED CONTENT MORE FROM GLOBAL NEWS * New Alberta COVID data highlights value of getting newly formulated vaccine once available: expert * Your ‘summer cold’ could likely be COVID-19, doctors say amid surge Advertisement Stay in the loop The daily email you need for Montreal's top news stories. Sign up for Montreal newsletter Sign Up TRENDING * Woman found dead in oven at Halifax Walmart located by her mother, organization says 2,095 Read * Trump repeated election lies in his interview with Joe Rogan. Here are the facts 1,999 Read * GoFundMe for woman found dead in Walmart oven paused as donations soar to $194K 1,821 Read * ‘Gate lice,’ begone! Airline tests tool to shame premature boarders 1,545 Read * AI-powered transcription tool used in hospitals reportedly invents things no one ever said 1,420 Read * Ontario mom killed in front her kids at Ottawa park deemed femicide by police 1,176 Read * TOP VIDEOS * Walmart employee death: Mother was one to find woman dead in oven, Sikh society says 17 Viewed * Federal budget 2024: Canada disability benefit disappoints advocates 16 Viewed * B.C. disability advocates disappointed with federal benefit regulations 14 Viewed * Fundraiser for family of woman found dead inside baking oven in Halifax Walmart paused as donations hit $200K 9 Viewed * Israel strikes Iran: Biden, Starmer call for restraint in wake of attack 8 Viewed * Explosions heard in Tehran as IDF announces Israeli strikes against Iran 8 Viewed * More Videos Stay in the loop The daily email you need for Montreal's top news stories. Sign up for Montreal newsletter Sign Up Advertisement REPORT AN ERROR SUBSCRIBE HERE AdChoices Global News Facebook Pages Global News Twitter Accounts Global News Youtube Channel Global News on Instagram Global News on LinkedIn Global News on TikTok Global News on Telegram * About * Principles & Practices * Branded Content * Contact us * RSS * Newsletters * Notifications * Smart home * Advertisers Election Registry * Global News Licensing Requests * Cookie consent ©2024 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Corus News. All rights reserved. * Privacy Policy * Copyright * Terms of Use * Advertise * Advertising Standards Terms * Corus Entertainment * Accessibility Advertisement Corus Entertainment Inc. and its partners use cookies and similar technology on our websites and applications. This allows us to gather information about the visitors to these platforms for the purposes of improving the performance of the platforms, research, marketing, content curation and serving advertisements that may be more tailored to each visitor's personal interests. Please see our Privacy Policy for a description of what data is being collected, the purposes of collection, the potential processing or storage of this data by third parties, and general risks and concerns that you should be aware of in making an informed decision. You may choose below to accept all cookies or only certain cookies in our Cookie Consent Tool. DeclineAccept