Day-care Lunch Question?

[Nadine216]

I got the monthly newsletter form dd's day-care yesterday.
Good news: The day-care would only be closed for one week in the December holiday's - between christmas and new year. Great for me, because that is the same week as our anual leave at my job. So I don't need to put in extra leave, or leave her at my mom's.
Funny news: They printed that their cook is on leave for two weeks in December and that means that you, as parent, are responsible for packing your child's breakfast, lunch and 3pm snack. BUT they printed nothing about a rebate on the fees for that month.
Now I would like to know if I am being a bit "silly" about not wanting to pay the full amount for a month, because they are not serving food. Do you think I must talk to the lady in charge, or should I just pay the full amount AND pack lunch.
At the moment she gets breakfast and lunch and I supply her 3pm snack. I actually don't have a problem to supply breakfast also - it's just cereal, but the lunch for me is going to be a problem as I don't have time and have to buy the jars at the store, which is expensive.
Do you think I can take it up with the principal?
On the other hand, I am thinking about shutting my eyes and putting in the leave for the two weeks that the cook is on leave, but then I also pay the full fee AND have to give lunch. But then I don't have to work so I would be able to prepear her lunch myself - so I am just being nasty, eh?
Geeze this sounds very petty!!

[MrsFabuloso]

I don't think it's petty. If that is what you paying fees for then I don't think you should have to provide food. It's not fair and as you say it is expensive. In the centre where I work, we get a casual to replace the cook whenever she is away. Why don't they do that? I would talk to the person in charge.

[Nadine216]

I thought about that too Kellie, Why don't they get someone else to cook for that time? Thanks for not thinking I am petty.
I am going to talk to DH about this tonight (have not told him yet) and then maybe we will go talk to Ria toghether. He is much, much better at stuff like this than me - I am actually a softy and a push-over.

[Evie76]

Yeah, what the????

I'd be making a strong point that there should be some sort of discount for that. We pay enough for Day Care................ that request blows me away.

[maddysmummy]

they should replace the cook!! they replace other staff when on leave,why not the cook!!!

[mrsmac]

Thats just weird, why wouldn't they get a casual in?? What do they do if she is sick? I would definitely want a reduction in fees if they are expecting you to send food in that time. I am sure you will not be the only parents questioning this.

[katnap]

i agree wit the others, why shuold you have to provide food? thats why you pay fee's!

good luck xx

[Astrid]

Another thing to consider is allergies, how can they control what food is brought in if parents are preparing it? If there is a child there with a peanut allergy, the last thing you want is someone packing a peanut butter sandwich.

I agree with the other posts, either they bring in a casual cook or they reduce the fees to compensate.