Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Academy for Little Children's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Academy for Little Children

  10 James P Murphy Ind Hwy West Warwick, RI 02893-2383

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  Academy for Little Children

  6 Wake Robin Rd Lincoln, RI 02865-4329

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/04/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On October 19, 2022, I made a payment of $330 to the Academy For Little Children. $65 for a registration fee and the remaining was a security deposit equal to one week of daycare. My wife and I gave notice on December 30, 2022 that we were going to cancel our registration to the daycare facility and politely inquired about a refund. ****, their office manager is unwilling to refund, even at a partial basis, our security deposit indicating that our payment will not be returned. However, we signed no contracts, no agreements, nothing confirming our enrollment in the daycare. We paid, not having read the agreement, and our money was accepted before our agreement was signed. We acknowledge our mistake; however, the Academy is unwilling to compromise and is essentially taking our money with no agreement between parties.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/15/2023

  I have not heard from the business in response to my complaint.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/16/2023

  Dear ***,
  
   
  
  This letter is in response to the complaint #******** which was incorrectly addressed to ********************************* who is a teacher at our school, not the owner or person in charge.
  
  The owners name is *********************************, and she is ccd on this email.
  
   
  
  I am the finance officer for The Academy for Little Children. I have had several email correspondences with this parent explaining our policy on security deposits and even though he agrees with the reason why he was declined a refund; he still feels like he is owed one. As explained to him several times, the reason a security deposit is given in the first place is to bind an agreement between the family and the school at the time of enrollment which is the day the payment is made to cover those fees.  Once that deposit is submitted to our school, the service provided by us under that agreement is that a spot is reserved for the child for the date agreed upon and we keep other candidates who would have gladly taken that spot on a waiting list.
  
   
  
  I will just state the facts so you can see the entire story. If needed, I can send you all emails with the parent as well.
  
   
  
  Sometime in August-September of 2022, both parents called our center and requested a tour of our school. They met with the director and spent at least ***** minutes touring and going over the procedure to enroll which includes the policy on the Security deposit and reg fees. I am also attaching a copy of our brochure that was given to the parents the day of the tour, it also clearly states Reg fee and Security Deposit is non-refundable and It is never refunded, only applied to active accounts after a 4-week notice is given.
  
   
  
  They called on October 19, 2022 and asked to be signed up to the agreement over the phone at which time they gave their credit card information and were charged $330, $65 Reg fee and $265 Security deposit. A welcome email with the enrollment packet paperwork was sent to them on that day after the payment was made stating that they could come for another visit or bring the forms in on the start date. We did everything correctly in this transaction as we do with all our families. We kept our end of the agreement, which was formed on Oct 19, the day they gave the deposit and reg fee. The child was supposed to begin enrollment on Jan 2, 2023, we were ready, providing accommodations for that request to be welcoming like every child receives who enrolls at our centers. Instead, he decided on Dec 30, 2022 to change his mind and not send his child to our center due to care no longer needed, more than 2 months after enrolling and only 3 days before the start date. We have been in business for a very long time, it happens from time to time that a parent changes their mind for various reasons, but I have never had an issue with a parent claiming to not understand what the security deposit is for and why it is not refunded if they cancel. I can 100% assure you, they understood the rules as well.
  
   
  
  Please let me know if you need anything else.
  
   
  
  Thank you,
  
   
  
  ***********************
  
  Office Manager
  
   
  
  Academy For Little Children
  
  10 ***********************************************
  
  ************, ** 02893
  
  www.a4lc.net
  
   

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/17/2023

  Better Business Bureau:I have reviewed the response submitted by the business and have determined that the response does not satisfy or resolve my issues and/or concerns in reference to complaint # ********. Please add your rejection comments below; if you do not provide any details, your complaint will be closed as Answered. 

  There was no contractually signed agreement in place.

  [You must provide details of why you are not satisfied with this resolution.  If you do not enter a reason for your rejection, your complaint will be closed as Answered.]
  
  Businesses and Customers should be civil, courteous and polite in their responses to complaints. It is important to remain professional and productive when participating in the BBB complaint process.
  
  FAQ
  
  Regards,

  *******

   

   

  Business Response

  Date: 01/19/2023

   On Oct 19th, 2022, after touring our school and being fully educated on our policies and terms, the family asked our company to provide them with a service. The service was to reserve a spot at our center for their child for an enrollment to begin on January 3rd, 2023. The purpose of this service is to secure a spot - with a non-refundable security deposit - at our center to ensure it is not taken by another family seeking childcare starting on January 3rd, 2023.

  As stated in the welcome email sent out to them after the transaction, we did not need any paperwork filled out until the childs first day, at which time a contract for weekly tuition would have been made. 
  
  The family paid for the aforementioned service - securing a spot at our center for enrollment starting on January 3rd - and was subsequently provided that service. Therefore, respectfully,they are not due a refund.
  
  We have been in business for over 30 years. Our families mean everything to us, and we provide them and their children with a safe and happy environment. We are sorry that things did not work out for this family.