Core Points - The article discusses the challenges faced by parents in Shenzhen, particularly focusing on the case of a parent, Xu Fangyu, who struggled to recover tuition fees after the early education institution, Golden Baby, abruptly closed several branches [1][2][10]. Group 1: Company Operations and Issues - Golden Baby, an early education institution, suddenly closed five stores in Shenzhen, including the flagship store where Xu Fangyu had paid over 20,000 yuan in tuition fees [1][10]. - The company operates over 400 franchise centers across nearly 150 cities in China, with franchisees independently managing their operations [10]. - There have been multiple instances of franchisees closing stores without notice, leading to significant consumer complaints and legal actions [10][12]. Group 2: Parent Experiences and Legal Actions - Xu Fangyu spent 11 months trying to recover 13,000 yuan, despite a court ruling that mandated a refund of over 20,000 yuan [2][36]. - Many parents, like Xu, initially paid large sums for tuition, often exceeding 10,000 yuan, to secure lower per-class costs [9]. - The article highlights the emotional and financial toll on parents, with some choosing to abandon their claims due to the lengthy process and lack of resources [16][19]. Group 3: Regulatory Environment - The early education sector lacks clear regulatory oversight, particularly for institutions serving children aged 0-3, leading to difficulties in consumer protection [32][35]. - Various government departments have indicated that they do not have jurisdiction over early education institutions, complicating the resolution of consumer disputes [33][34]. - New regulations are being introduced to address issues related to fraudulent business practices, such as the actions of "professional closure operators" [22][23]. Group 4: Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior - Despite the risks, parents continue to invest in early education due to perceived benefits for their children's socialization and adaptation skills [41][42]. - The decline in birth rates has created operational challenges for early education institutions, leading to increased financial pressure and potential closures [43]. - Parents are increasingly cautious, often opting for smaller tuition packages despite the ongoing risks associated with early education institutions [39].

Core Points - The well-known calligraphy training institution "Youmo Calligraphy" in Qingdao has suddenly closed multiple campuses, leaving students and parents in distress as the management has gone missing [1][2][3] - Parents report that they had paid significant fees for courses that were abruptly halted, with some students only attending one class out of a total of 48 [2][3] - The institution had previously engaged in promotional activities, encouraging parents to renew courses, which has led to concerns about the potential loss of prepaid tuition fees [3][4] Summary by Sections Closure of "Youmo Calligraphy" - "Youmo Calligraphy" has closed several campuses unexpectedly, with reports of empty classrooms and missing teaching materials [2][3] - Parents are expressing disbelief and frustration over the sudden closure of such a large institution [2][3] Promotional Activities Before Closure - In the months leading up to the closure, "Youmo Calligraphy" conducted promotional campaigns, including a "618" discount event, which encouraged parents to pay for future classes [3] - The institution's operational entity, Qingdao Zhen Shui Tang Education Consulting Co., Ltd., changed its legal representative to someone with restricted high consumption, raising red flags about its financial health [3] Response from Authorities - The local education department is actively involved in addressing the situation, aiming to facilitate the resumption of classes for affected students [5][6] - Proposed solutions include allowing former teachers to continue teaching at the original locations, seeking new investments to resume operations, or transferring students to other training institutions [6]