Providing children with a healthy lunch and snacks has become the norm for childcare centres across the region, but that isn鈥檛 the case in Jasper.
According to Kathleen Waxer, director of Community and Family Services (CFS), Wildflower Childcare is the only childcare centre in the north-central region of the province that does not offer a food program.
鈥淓very time the childcare inspector comes by she raises the question why is your kitchen not being used and why are you not providing this service,鈥� said Waxer, adding they鈥檝e been trying to implement a food program for the past six years.
To rectify the issue Waxer and Lisa Daniel, the town鈥檚 childcare services manager, asked council to consider implementing a pilot project to provide children with a lunch and snacks.
According to Waxer, it would cost $3 per day, per child, based on 50 children. The cost would be passed onto parents who would need to fork out an additional $115 per month. Parents would not be allowed to opt out of the program unless their child has a specific food allergy or dietary needs or their child is in the infant program.
To support the program the childcare centre would also need to hire a new employee, which would be covered by the new fees.
According to Waxer the program will not impact the municipal budget and will operate on a cost-recovery basis.
鈥淲e worry about implementing a new fee for parents, but we have to remember that providing a lunch for every child is not free,鈥� said Waxer, adding parents should save money on groceries.
In comparison, the cost of food at the Banff Childcare Centre is $2 per child, per day, for 80 to 85 children. The cost is dependent on the number of children and economies of scale.
According to Waxer, there are many reasons why the program should be implemented, including saving staff and parents precious time, but ultimately the program is designed to ensure children are getting the nutrients they need.
鈥淔rom my perspective having a healthy meal provided for all the children, the same meal, levels the playing field in terms of the child鈥檚 ability to reach their optimal development,鈥� said Waxer. 鈥淚 feel strongly and passionately that this is the right thing to do.鈥�
During the committee-of-the-whole meeting on Oct. 11, Coun. Gilbert Wall expressed his concern about introducing another pilot project describing it as 鈥渟moke and mirrors.鈥�
鈥淚 think we should lose the pilot project, because this is absolutely something that will not be removed once it鈥檚 offered,鈥� said Wall.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to make the decision to go down this road then make that decision and come to council and ask for that permission, but I think the pilot project is doing a disservice to the community.鈥�
He also raised his concerns that parents won鈥檛 be able to opt out of the program.
鈥淎lthough I can see why you鈥檙e going this direction, I still have philosophical concerns with taking on more and more of the responsibility for childrearing from the parents and essentially putting it on the shoulder of the municipality.鈥�
Daniel said she agreed with Wall, but was adamant the program was the only way to level the playing field.
鈥淓very day we see children come with only sugar in their lunch and this is the only way we can make it fair for everyone and give them the start that they need,鈥� said Daniel.
The issue will be brought before council for further discussion on Oct. 18.
Paul Clarke
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