I was sending DS's lunch daily to d/c since that was the only meal he ate there, and was paying $180 weekly...well, I kept hearing that he was scavenging whatever they cooked anyway, so a few weeks ago we made the switch to him eating there. Finally last week I asked if they want some more money to cover lunch (I figured a little more was fair) and they are now charging $200/week.
Overall I know this is still reasonable, but $20 extra just for one meal a day seems a little excessive...I already spend about $10 a week bringing 2 'required' snacks for all to share plus DS's milk (they only give 2% and I want DS to have WCM until he's 2), AND I still prepare a side of veggies (per their request) for his lunch daily.
Should I just suck it up or say something? I was thinking of not bringing all the extra food starting next week or asking them to go back to the old price and I continue bringing his lunches. I kind of feel like this is their way of giving themselves a raise.
He's growing up, but he'll always be my baby!
Nathan--11/4/10
...big brother to...???? Due March 2014!
Re: Daycare $/food question
That does seem like a lot of money for one meal and you are still having to send the vegetables. What exactly do they provide?
If it were me, I would go back to sending your own lunch and maybe sending some of what they offer since your son likes it so much.
Really? I think that's pretty expensive. School lunch here is something like $2.35. We recently toured a daycare center that had a lunch catering service come in with all organic food, and those lunches were $3.20. I think $4/day is expensive considering you're still sending extra sides for lunch. Why don't they provide WCM for kids under 2? I've never been to a center that didn't. I would go back to sending his lunch. Since you're already sending a veggie, that's just adding a fruit and a sandwich, right? It doesn't sound like him having lunch there is any more convenient.
Charlotte Ella 07.16.10
Emmeline Grace 03.27.13
Lost our first angel, 10/24/08 7w6d
Proud mama to Cameron
Lost our second angel, 2/16/11 8w
Proud mama to Melanie
Me too. You have to consider the prep work too.
One more thing...
I teach Pre-K and our school lunch is 3.85 for Pre-K through 5th grade. This is all you can eat and drink. It includes fruits, veggies, salad bar, main entree, pasta, and sandwiches.
This is why $4 a day, not including drink and veggies, seems high to me.
if they are already preparing meals for other children and he is just eating the same food, I do think $4 per head is high .
But how much are you spending on his food? If you are spending $10 a week and then also consider the time you spend preparing it, then spending $10 more may be worth it.
Either I would just tell them that you will prepare his lunch, or spend the extra money. I would not comment on whether or not I think they are charging too much. they set the price and it's up to you to decide if you think it's worth it.
It sounds like you're still stuck with a HELLUVALOT of work for the $4/ meal and they don't feed Veggies...Huhm...Go back to making his lunches...
It's a PITA but if you do most of the work anyways and all they do is pop Chicken Nuggets in the oven I'd say it's worth it!
I should have clarified that I do teach at a private school so I can compare the price of my school lunches with what the OP is paying.