Will daycare centers ever go back to serving lunch?

[Anonymous]

I recognize it is a petty thing to complain about during these challenging times, but boy do I miss the daycare provided lunch. It was relatively healthy and DC would eat it every day, no questions asked. Initially upon returning bringing lunch from home was a fun, novel thing and they would eat what I sent but now things they don't like will go untouched and I get lots of complaints and requests for more "treats" because Larla/Larlo of course bring cookies and candy every day.

Again, just a stupid vent on an anonymous forum, because I feel guilty actually complaining IRL. Have meals come back for anyone else? Just wondering if it will be a permanent cost-savings for the center since they haven't recovered financially and probably won't for a while.

[Anonymous]

My preschool has been serving lunch since June. We had a 2 week period when the chef had a Covid exposure and we had to pack.

[Anonymous]

My daycare is doing lunch (and breakfast and afternoon snack). My kid started in November so I can't compare to the past, but having food provided is honestly a huge relief for me, one less thing I don't have to worry about in the morning. I'm at a really small center though (one of the government ones) so maybe it's different at the bigger places?

[Anonymous]

At this point I’d assume it’s for cost reasons vs. covid safety. Is the center still under capacity restrictions? As you note many are strapped for cash right now. Lunch is a huge perk for parents so providers have incentives to bring it back if offered previously, it might be that they just can’t afford to yet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this point I’d assume it’s for cost reasons vs. covid safety. Is the center still under capacity restrictions? As you note many are strapped for cash right now. Lunch is a huge perk for parents so providers have incentives to bring it back if offered previously, it might be that they just can’t afford to yet.

Yes this. I'm thinking they might not bring it back because they are currently charging the same amount, with no lunch provided. After a tough year I can't blame them. But I also would pay more to have this offered!

[Anonymous]

Ours never stopped serving lunch. They were briefly closed in April of last year when attendance dropped precipitously, but once they reopened in May they had breakfast/lunch/snack as usual.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At this point I’d assume it’s for cost reasons vs. covid safety. Is the center still under capacity restrictions? As you note many are strapped for cash right now. Lunch is a huge perk for parents so providers have incentives to bring it back if offered previously, it might be that they just can’t afford to yet.

Yes this. I'm thinking they might not bring it back because they are currently charging the same amount, with no lunch provided. After a tough year I can't blame them. But I also would pay more to have this offered!

OP here- I would TOTALLY pay more if that's what it took. Particularly once I need to start commuting again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At this point I’d assume it’s for cost reasons vs. covid safety. Is the center still under capacity restrictions? As you note many are strapped for cash right now. Lunch is a huge perk for parents so providers have incentives to bring it back if offered previously, it might be that they just can’t afford to yet.

Definitely a red flag in regards to fiscal health. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of childcare covid casualties.

[Anonymous]

We go to Bambini. They never stopped serving meals.

[Anonymous]

Ours never stopped. The meals understandably got simpler (but still was healthy and complete) last spring/summer--though my kid did not attend during this time, they still sent menus. We've been back to the pre-covid full hot menu for a while now, though, which my kid really likes and is very balanced/healthy.

[Anonymous]

Shut uppppppp

[Anonymous]

Of all the things to complain about OP, get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Ours never stopped.

[Anonymous]

My in-home never stopped serving food. Hot breakfast and lunch and 2 snacks every day. DD is super-picky at home but will eat when she sees the other kids eating so I’m very thankful.

[Anonymous]

Ours is not serving lunch right now but is providing snacks and milk. They're also operating at reduced hours and there is no timetable for returning to regular hours. I'll be honest, as much as I love our daycare, I've tempted to move our younger child to one that is serving meals and operating fulltime (the latter being more important long-term). Not a big deal for our oldest who enters K in the fall. But right now we are paying full freight daycare $$ for much reduced services. I know that families jumping ship will not help get things back to normal so trying to hang in there, but right now there are options that may not be there a few months down the road, so waiting is risky.