How much do you give Day care providers for Xmas

[cinderellamom123]

At home daycare provider here. I have always felt you should take care of the people that care for your kids as well as you can. Before daycare, when my kids were in daycare they were only there 6 weeks prior to christmas and I gave the daycare lady $200 ($100 from each child) I felt like it made an impression on her and she was flexible when I was late/early etc.

Now I run a daycare. I am with your child 40 to 50 hours per week. I have taken your child to the Dr. so you do not have to miss work, been called on Halloween and asked to take your child trick or treating because you have to take the other child to the er, had to cancel my evening apts. because you have not left enough time to get to my house, been called at 6am asking if I have space because the grandma who was supposed to watch junior today is sick.
Never mind the hugs, kisses, etc.

The family I do the most for (kids trick or treating) have never even sent me a card of appreciation. I may get a candle. The other parents typically give me about 1/2 of a weeks pay to one week pay.

 

[princessbride6205]

When my daughter was in full time home daycare (age 3 mos to 3 years), we couldn't quite afford a full week tuition. I would usually give between $75-100, then buy supplies for the daycare. There were several kids and the woman had two little ones of her own. So they'd get play-doh, construction paper, stickers, etc.

Now that she's in full time preschool with 3 full-time teachers, it's a little different. One of the other moms takes a collection and pools the money to buy a Target card for each teacher. I still have the $100 budget and it gets split between the teachers. This year I also made mini loaves of pumpkin bread with DD and gave those with a card.

For the end of the school year, I will remember the suggestion to write a heartfelt thank you note - this preschool is really the best care DD has ever had.

 

[wnissen]

I always looked on it as letting them know that the gift they give you and your children is priceless. We give somewhat over 1 week's tuition, split among all the teachers. (There's a rule in our day care that gifts have to be equal). Day care is our biggest single expense, even bigger than the mortgage, so it's a moderately significant amount of money for us. However, I know most people don't give that much.

We also write a card to each teacher, which doesn't cost anything. Well, I guess it costs a buck for the card.