Daycare/Teacher Question

[KelleyD]

Ds 2 is my first so I need some help with this. Ds started a daycare last August and had the same teacher from August till end of Feb. I got his teacher a gift at Christmas.

End of Feb he moved up to the 2 year class and has been with this teacher from end of Feb until now. Tomorrow they have their "graduation" ceremonies for all the classes. this school has infant - K (including K)

Anyway he is supposed to move up to the 2.5 room and it turns out his current teacher will be moving up to....(now I hear for the summer all the 2's will be together and the older 2's will split in September)

So do I get the teacher anything for these "graduation" ceremonies??? He isn't leaving her, and she will still be his teacher in September (as of today anyway...but the changing of staff is a whole nother story)

So do I get her something? And if I do what???? Christmas was such a pain to try to think of something that i know I went overboard and spent waaayyyy to much....

Thank you!

 

[Madzac]

I think it is up to you, but my son is in a similar situation. He has preschool graduation today, but is going back to the same school with the same teacher next year as well. Since he will have her again next year, I did not get an end of year gift. I did get a Christmas one. rI will do an end of year one net year. My older daughter finished first grade and since she is leaving this teacher, I did get her something.

Over the years of teachers, I have done a number of things, but the thing I hear they most enjoy is a gift card! Then they can use it for whatever they want! Bookstore ones are nice as then they can use it for their classroom if they want to, or for personal use. I have also done Target, Walmart, Pizza hut, Starbucks. Sometimes I will do two gift cards of 15-20 each. We usually do about 25-30 dollars, unless the teacher is extra special and then we may do a little bit more. One year my DS had a phonemenal daycare teacher we loved to pieces and we got her a gift certificate for a massage and manicure. She LOVED it!

My SIL is a kindergarten teacher and she says that some give a gift and some dont. She doesnt expect any. But if she does, she would prefer a gift card as she has more coffee mugs and knick knacks than she knows what to do with!

 

[DISNEYNV]

I think it is up to you personally but if he is getting the same teacher then she might expect a gift again from you for next year perhaps if you give one this time around. I got my DDs preschool teacher and her assistant a GC to Target, but also thought of a Teacher supply store or Art/craft store. A lot of times the supplies come from the teachers own pockets. I worked in Daycare for years and bought most of my own supplies! A hand written card or picture from your child or the class is a nice gift as well. I bought two small colorful plastic watering cans ( like the ones kids use) and blue tissue paper and stickers. DD decorated the cans with the stickers, we made teacher tags with paper and popcicle sticks and she wrote, "thank you for helping me grow" inside a blank card. Then used the tissue paper and filled the can and placed the giftcard in the top hole with a few seed packets ( I used forget me knots and sweet peas) They were cute! Also can buy a cute planter pot and fill as well

Have fun and include your child... Teachers love hand made gifts from their students

 

[lindsmom]

I would suggest a gift for the classroom - either a hardcover book with a note written inside from your son, or a gift cert to Discount School Supply, or Lakeshore, or even Staples. You could include a note of thanks for the teacher, something to the effect of "Looking forward to another wonderful year with you next Fall!"

 

[stephbillalec]

I'd give a small flowering plant.

 

[debbido71]

I was a preschool teacher for 15 years and am currently an in-home daycare provider. I have gotten many gifts over the years. The little ornaments, boxes of candy and treats were all nice but the thing I treasure the most are handwritten notes from the parents. I have saved every single card or note that has a personal message inside from parents and children. A simple message about how important the caregiver is in your child's life will make their day. I promise

 

[alyssa810]

I did a gift at the holidays, but nothing for the "end" of the school year. My DS did switch daycare centers last July (his original place was closing due to budget cuts) and when we left, I did give his 2 teachers a picture of him and the teacher, and a note thanking them for their care etc...

 

[JLKennedy]

We usually do foods. I'll send an edible arrangement (it's pricey but always a hit and if your kid is 100% good 90% of the time, like mine, it'll buy them a grace day). Or in my Family Fun this month, they had a wonderful idea. Make a loaf bread, zucchini bread, banana walnut, apple crumb and put it in a box. But wrap the box in the "school lined" paper (blue & pink lines) and have your child write to and from on the outside. Very cute idea and I like that it's something other than the same old, mug, post-its, etc., and it's not as expensive as the fruit arrangements.