how do you tip your childcare provider?

[WendyLovesPeter]

I am not talking your Sat night sitter. I mean the lady that watches your children when you go to work. Do you tip weekly, monthly, at the end of the year? Do you not tip at all? Do you give ultimate Xmas gift instead of a tip?

What would you do if you had a very sporadic schedule - you need a sitter a few days per month and this varies greatly? A friend of mine asked my input on this. I told her what I think, and I offered to post it as a question to this budget minded, family board, so....

 

[Justsyd2]

Typically, your childcare provider is still paid when you take vacation, and during the winter holiday they are paid one to two weeks salary, and given a small gift.

 

[HunnyPots]

When I did in-home childcare, all I ever expected was the salary we agreed upon. A tip never even entered my mind. I personally think tipping has gotten way out of hand. If the childcare privider is doing such an outstanding job, give them a raise in salary!

 

[surfergirl602]

I have never tipped my cay care provider. They get enough of my money as it is. lol

 

[indimom]

In my opinion, tipping is not required or expected. My only expectation is that parents pay the agreed upon fee in a timely manner.

That being said, I do appreciate the occasional tips I get. I have two parents who tip me in some way about every quarter. (Rounding up a week's pay or paying me for a full week when they weren't there one day, that sort of thing...) The rest of my families give a Christmas gift of some sort (usually in the $25-30 range).

 

[torinsmom]

I babysit for one child in his home after school(pick him up, take him home and entertain him) for 1-2 hours every afternoon. I have been with them for two years and they have given me 1 weeks pay at Christmas both years, plus they give my son a gift card.

 

[ohlas]

xmas or bday present is my tip lol

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I've been providing childcare for many years, and have never expected or received an actual tip. Instead, my families do little things during the year, just to put a smile on my face. For example, one family stops at Dunkin Donuts every now and then and brings donuts for everyone. Another mom always stops for coffee on her way, so she'll pick up a hot chocolate for me.

I usually do receive a nice gift/gift card at Christmas and then at the end of the school year.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

Most seem to do it the way I do. Occasional rounding of the salary... basically keep the change. I sometimes will take box of fruit snacks, fresh strawberries/peaches or something for the toy/craft room. I always went out of my way to get her nice birthday & christmas gifts. This person is struggling, I think, because her schedule is so intermittent, and she will only need the CG a handful of times per month.

 

[puffkin]

When I used a private daycare, I didn't tip and I know it isn't expected. I paid the same rate every week whether he was there or not. I also paid her the standard holidays (agreed upon in our contract). The only times I paid less than the agreed salary were the 2 weeks of vacation she took a year (she didn't charge for those weeks) and if she called off sick or had to miss an unexpected day due to a family emergency or something like that. But otherwise I paid the full rate even if we were on vacation or if my son was sick.

I did not give her a full weeks salary at Christmas. That would be more than I spend on my own kid! I don't think so!!!! I always bought her a nice Christmas present geared towards her interests. I brought in treats for her birthday and I would send in art supplies or treats for the kids sporadically through the year.

For a regular daycare provider tipping just isn't the norm around here. I became friends with my son's provider even though he doesn't go there anymore and she said just getting paid timely is a good thing in her profession. She also said that a small gift at Christmas is really appreciated and that she personally would never accept a cash tip/gift of more than a nominal amount.

 

[WendyLovesPeter]

When I used a private daycare, I didn't tip and I know it isn't expected. I paid the same rate every week whether he was there or not. I also paid her the standard holidays (agreed upon in our contract). The only times I paid less than the agreed salary were the 2 weeks of vacation she took a year (she didn't charge for those weeks) and if she called off sick or had to miss an unexpected day due to a family emergency or something like that. But otherwise I paid the full rate even if we were on vacation or if my son was sick.

there is not set schedule..... intermittent need of child care - a day here or there per month... nothing set in stone

 

[princessbride6205]

My daughter is in FT care with an in-home provider.
As per our contract, she is paid in full every week, including paid vacation, holidays, paying when my child is out sick or otherwise absent, etc.
I don't think she receives tips from the other 3 families.
I tip her with half her weekly salary at Christmas, along with a Christmas gift for the child care, which is usually $30-40 in art supplies like paper, markers, stickers, play-doh.

 

[bootleg89]

My SIL works as a nanny at some one's home. She usually gets a birthday gift ($25-50 Visa check card), then she gets $200 at christmas time. She also usually gets a Visa check card for the same amount on her DD's b-day and her employer will let her bring her DD to work for the day and plan a fun outing. All in all, it all totals about 1 week pay after adding it all up.
On that, I'll also state that she is grateful for what ever she gets. The extra money is always welcome, but she doesn't expect a set amount.