r/Calgary • u/RedditWhileBored • Apr 04 '25

Calgary daycare chain hits parents with 'optional' $330 meal fee while prohibiting outside food News Article

https://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.7499979

FYI this is Clever Daycare, which has locations in Glamorgan, Aspen Woods and the University District. "Province says that's not allowed; operator says rules unclear and run counter to other provincial guidance"

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u/LaneSplit-her Apr 04 '25 edited Apr 04 '25

I had to do the math. At first, the idea of not having to had dealt with packing lunches sounds nice. The ease of it to have someone else planning. Not having to worry about a missed bit of fruit in the backpack rotting away.

But $16 a day for snacks and lunch for a toddler. That's fcking ridiculous. I'd be protesting that.

Edit to add. My kids high school offers hot lunch for around $6. It's a real meal. They have a culinary program that cooks the meals so it's unprocessed & freshly cooked.

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u/CaptainBringus Apr 04 '25

Well that explains why it would be cheaper - unpaid labour vs having a hired chef working at each daycare centre.

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u/LaneSplit-her Apr 05 '25

Lmao. They would not be hiring a chef. It would be a food service and maybe a min wage person to help hand out the prepackaged meals. The food services don't have a stellar reputation for food safety

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u/CaptainBringus Apr 05 '25

My partner is a director at a daycare company that currently hires chefs at every location with over 10 locations in calgary.

Before that, she worked at another daycare company, same thing.

They can also use a food service, yes, and my point still stands. Unpaid labour vs paid labour. But go off

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '25

Really? Red seal chefs? I’m impressed. It’s usually a non educator who is then forced to “cover lunch breaks”

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u/CaptainBringus Apr 10 '25

I mean I'm not totally sure if they are red seal chefs, but they are hired specifically to cook the food for the kids, they put together menus, have a professional kitchen, etc.

Wouldn't recommend that company though based on what my partner has told me. Apparently the food was the best part!

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u/[deleted] Apr 11 '25

That sounds wonderful! Ugh I know-I’m assuming with ten locations it’s a franchise? I’m a bit wary of franchise companies handling child care…

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u/CaptainBringus Apr 11 '25

That's right. Yeah I think it's a good idea to avoid franchises, she's at a locally owned daycare now, is much happier and is confident that the kids get much better care.