How much do you give Day care providers for Xmas

[KAYLI'S DAD]

Im curious how much people give vs what your supposed to give Day care providers for Xmas. I have heard your supposed to give them equivalent to 1 week of care which would cost an arm and a leg considering 1 of my kids has 3 people in her room and the other has 2 people in her room (its a large daycare).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KennesawNemo]

Im curious how much people give vs what your supposed to give Day care providers for Xmas. I have heard your supposed to give them equivalent to 1 week of care which would cost an arm and a leg considering 1 of my kids has 3 people in her room and the other has 2 people in her room (its a large daycare).

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

One week tuition is ridiculous.

I used to give both of my son's main teachers $20-$25 gift card with a family photo card. They always appreciated it a lot. I did give twice a year, once around the holiday the other time during teacher's appreciation day.

I didn't give to occassional substitute teachers nor did I give to the daycare owner.

 

[dizluvah]

I think a holiday tip for day care is optional - give a gift you can afford - be a token small present or cash - it still is the thought counts - search on the dis for any of the multiple teacher gift threads if you need ideas -

 

[indimom]

Day Care provider here. I don't think that's the norm. Maybe for one-on-one, in-home care like a nanny.

I generally receive gifts or gift cards in the $25-$75 range. All gifts were appreciated.
ETA: The larger gifts were from jobs where I was the only teacher in the room. When I worked in a center and shared a classroom, the gifts tended to be in the $10-$25 range.

 

[torinsmom]

I think the one week's pay is for in home child care like when you have a nanny. I am an afterschool nanny and that's what my employers give me. I would think a daycare provider is more similar to a teacher. That is my "real" job and I get anywhere from nothing to a $20 gift card from parents, as well as gifts like lotion and home baked goods. Anything will be appreciated. The best things I get are the notes that tell me what a difference I am making in a child's life

 

[cari12]

Our kids go to a home daycare for just before school care. I gave her a $50 restaurant gift card and then $20 cash for her 11 year old daughter who does crafts, plays Wii etc. with the kids each day.

 

[tinkmom2]

We watch up to 70 kids in one day. I definately noticed a change in what people give. I got more hand made and food items as a tip this year. I did receive one gift card which was much appreciated. I agree with giving what you can.

 

[Sandy321]

its been a long time since I worked in a "preschool" ie daycare. We never received this... and why I worked there was because my kids were little - and I know just like every mom that works - you want to put your kids where they are loved and cared for - - its not easy. The first place I worked was more of a "for profit" center - then I went to work at a park district - "not for profit"

and now, that my kids are much older - I wished I could've given those caregivers a weeks salary, at least $100 - what they give of themselves is priceless... what we have to pay in daycare costs is huge... I get that. but they are caring for our most precious children.

its not easy.

but in this season, if there is any way you can give more to those that are getting minimum wage, I hope its possible to bring them something they will never expect.

 

[Juliet25]

Unless you have a nanny, I don't think one week of pay is the norm. Give what you can afford. One year I was only able to give $5 gift cards to my DD's day care providers. Another year it was $25. I think day care workers are extremely underpaid; I so wish I could afford to give them a week's tuition!

 

[dgr1973]

I do home daycare for two families and both gave me giftcards. One family gave me 100.00 (they have 2 kids) and the other gave me 50 (they have 1 child) I was really surprised by this and very appreciative!

 

[budafam]

I have an in home daycare and usually watch only one other child (besides my own) at a time so the care is very personable. I had a client once for about 3 years and she always gave me $100 in gift cards plus Gymboree outfits for both of my children... oh how I miss her

 

[Natalie's Mommy]

in home daycare provider here....i only watch one child right now and i have a great relationship with her parents. they gave me their holiday card with 2 weeks pay and will get gifts for both my girls on friday when their daughter comes again (i only watch her part time). I also got gifts for their daughter and their baby due in April.

 

[Kellydelly]

When I worked in a daycare about 15 yrs ago only one of the parents bothered to get us a gift, and it was a dollar store type holiday decoration item. This was a room with about a dozen babies in it. I think if you are able to give them each a $20 gift card to a local restaurant or maybe a store like Kohls or something, that would be a nice gesture. If you can only afford $10 each, are you allowed to just give cash in a card? Or just buy breakfast or lunch for each of the rooms, that would be appreciated. (show up with bagels and cream cheese, donuts, etc.).

 

[puffkin]

My son went to a really nice large daycare center when he was 2.5-5 years old. He had about 15 kids in his particular class and actually had the same teacher both years (along with a co-teacher). One year I did chocolates and a $10 gift card to starbucks (next door) for both. Two years ago I put together a nice bag of Tastefully Simple products for each. And last year I did thirty-one lunch totes (monogrammed) for each. I also included a card that my son wrote/drew.

His teachers always commented that they so appreciated being remembered at the holidays and only a handful of parents sent anything in. They weren't expecting anything, but it was a fairly expensive school and "most" of the parents were professionals (doctors, lawyers, business people) with decent jobs so it was always a bit shocking to me. I wish I could have done a bit more as his teachers were wonderful, but at least it was something.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Last year, my DS was in two classes, each with three teachers in them, so I did a breakfast with bagels, danishes, etc. I then made a laminated card with my son's handprint and picture on it, thanking them.

This year, he only has three teachers, so I gave each a fleece blanket and $10 DD card; and again made a laminated card using a great DISign made by someone kind enough on the other forum, and a wonderful poem another great DISer made for me which I tweaked to work with my school's and teh blanket/DD theme. the teachers Loved them!

 

[Golf4food]

Nothing. I don't tip people I'm already paying for services unless they are a waitress/waiter.

I don't get the whole "tip everyone you come into contact with at Christmas" thing at all. Nobody is tipping me, nobody is giving me a discount the rest of the year. You have a job, you get paid for it, you aren't a close friend or family - why should I give you more?

 

[Kellydelly]

Nothing. I don't tip people I'm already paying for services unless they are a waitress/waiter.

I don't get the whole "tip everyone you come into contact with at Christmas" thing at all. Nobody is tipping me, nobody is giving me a discount the rest of the year. You have a job, you get paid for it, you aren't a close friend or family - why should I give you more?

It's not a tip when it comes to the people who care for your children . It is a show of appreciation. These people should be considered important, more important than the mail carrier and the hairdresser.

 

[puffkin]

Nothing. I don't tip people I'm already paying for services unless they are a waitress/waiter.

I don't get the whole "tip everyone you come into contact with at Christmas" thing at all. Nobody is tipping me, nobody is giving me a discount the rest of the year. You have a job, you get paid for it, you aren't a close friend or family - why should I give you more?

Typically I tend to agree with this point of view (getting those envelopes from mail carriers and trash collectors steams me up!). But daycare providers make measly amounts of money and spend more waking time with my child during the week than I do. They aren't someone you have informal contact with once in a blue moon...this is someone you see EVERY day and who forms a relationship with you and your child. I wish I could do more, but even a little something to show them you thought of them is definitely a no-brainer!

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

I'm a daycare provider (out of my home), and I've never received one week's pay as a gift, nor would I expect that! I've had several families in the past who have given me $100 gift cards, which I thought was extremely generous. In general, I usually get gift cards between $25-$50, which I really appreciate. It really is about the thought. It's nice to know your families haven taken a few moments to think about you during this busy time of year.

 

[torinsmom]

It's not a tip when it comes to the people who care for your children . It is a show of appreciation. These people should be considered important, more important than the mail carrier and the hairdresser.

Tell me about it. I spend more awake time with my students than their parents do. I do way more than my contract requires, including wiping their tears and giving them a hug when they are sad, teaching them how to tie their shoes, and helping them learn to join a game. Does your hairdresser or mailman do that? I'm not saying anyone should go without in order to get an expensive gift, but at least give a card telling them how much you appreciate them taking care of your most precious possession. Many day care workers live under the poverty level--I have been there, done that before. A small token to say what they do matters makes a big difference.