Working Moms

Daycare $/food question

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.

  • I think $4/day for lunch is reasonable.
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  • Our school charges $3/day for lunches for toddlers. For 18m-33m it was included in our weekly $170.
  • imagetosababy:
    I think $4/day for lunch is reasonable.

    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.

     

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  • $4 wouldn't be bad if they included the veggies and snacks, but without those things I think it's a bit much
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  • I don't get a discount for the meals I provide (my son has an egg allergy so I need to send in substitute foods)... He eats maybe one of their breakfasts a week and typically 2 or 3 lunches but does get the sides and snacks.... I never questioned being able to get a discount though.
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  • I think this is reasonable. 
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  • imagetosababy:
    I think $4/day for lunch is reasonable.

    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.

     

  • Our DC charges around $3/day for lunch, and this is in a HCOL area. Toddlers don't eat that much. Since they are now providing his lunch, I'd ask them to also provide a vegetable. I don't see why they can't do that. If they insist you bring the veggies, I'd ask them to drop the rate down to $190. BTW public school lunches are subsidized by the government, so you can't really compare their cost with a private school or daycare.
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  • 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!

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  • imageWinesNotWhines:
    BTW public school lunches are subsidized by the government, so you can't really compare their cost with a private school or daycare.

     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.

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