What do you give to day care providers?

[Crystal824]

My DD goes to daycare. Last year I got the workers Christmas ornaments. I also brought in Panera bagels. This year I plan to get Gift Cards probably $25 each. I will also likely bring in bagels or doughnuts again this year.

 

[bearloch]

I used to be assistant director of a day care center and them pre-school teacher for head start and now as Mom what worked wonderfull for all was I buy lots of extra supplies in summer when cheap ( markers etc.. ) then I got a scrapbooking style basket with diveders or a plastic pencil holder that turns and has many divders I dec that with the Teachers name and filled with brand new supplies for the class as many teachers buy there own! and by dec are running low again! I made sure thought that they got a nice thank-you card and a personalized ornament too. I did this for every yr was a huge hit!! and as a teacher I got one and still have it ( thats where I got idea) it has my maiden name on it but I have it in my scraping room!

another idea is a gift card for photo developing and or a teacher store!!

also I have seen given and I did it as a end of yr gift is a basket of family fun theme like everything needed for a movie night, car wash, camping trip, vac ( fill wth suntain lotion, etc. and munchies

 

[peter.scott279]

I like to bring cookie gift baskets to the school for the teachers to share. It can be hard to buy gifts for each individual teacher, and I know that everyone likes cookies!

 

[LocaRoja]

I like to bring cookie gift baskets to the school for the teachers to share. It can be hard to buy gifts for each individual teacher, and I know that everyone likes cookies!

Why have you "revived" 3 essentially dead threads on the DIS in the last 3 days to make an advertisement for this same cookie website? This is the budget board; I can promise you no one wants to order a basket of 8 cookies for $80 dollars.

 

[sookie]

I know this is an "old" thread, but I saw it again and realized I never responded with my glorious 2 cents last time.

I pay almost 800 a month (sometimes more depending on the number of weeks in the month) for daycare, year round. I am required to pay the full amount even if my children are not there (sick, we are out of town, or whatever). I have to pay the full rate even when the center is closed for a holiday or for any other reason (just because). And people - this is not for two infants. This is for two elementary aged children that have no special needs.

Therefore, my gift to them is this: I pay my bill, every single week, on time and in full. That is my gift - I pay them, I pay them well, and I don't think it is needed for me to go above and beyond for a holiday when they are already extremely well compensated, which is my year round gift to them. Cheers!

 

[Golf4food]

I know this is an "old" thread, but I saw it again and realized I never responded with my glorious 2 cents last time.

I pay almost 800 a month (sometimes more depending on the number of weeks in the month) for daycare, year round. I am required to pay the full amount even if my children are not there (sick, we are out of town, or whatever). I have to pay the full rate even when the center is closed for a holiday or for any other reason (just because). And people - this is not for two infants. This is for two elementary aged children that have no special needs.

Therefore, my gift to them is this: I pay my bill, every single week, on time and in full. That is my gift - I pay them, I pay them well, and I don't think it is needed for me to go above and beyond for a holiday when they are already extremely well compensated, which is my year round gift to them. Cheers!

Amen. For the price of an appartment or membership at a country club they can darn well take their money and be happy with it. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, but they get enough of my money already. Nobody tips me for doing my job. The only people I tip are those who don't get paid at least minimum wage up front, like servers at restaurants. Everyone else can just take their paycheck and be happy like the rest of us that don't get tipped for doing our jobs.

 

[dgr1973]

Amen. For the price of an appartment or membership at a country club they can darn well take their money and be happy with it. It doesn't mean I don't appreciate them, but they get enough of my money already. Nobody tips me for doing my job. The only people I tip are those who don't get paid at least minimum wage up front, like servers at restaurants. Everyone else can just take their paycheck and be happy like the rest of us that don't get tipped for doing our jobs.

Wow that seems a bit harsh, these people are taking care of your children! I am a home daycare provider and I truly appreciated the gifts my familes gave me and I can assure you that I make below minimum wage for the amount of hours they are here to what I charge per day. I do not make them pay when they are not here and they are taken care of as if they were my own. I don't see anything wrong with giving a small gift in appreciation since we spend more time with the kids then the parents do. Anyways I wouldnt be offened if they did not give me a gift but it is very nice to feel appreciated.

 

[luvsJack]

I know this is an "old" thread, but I saw it again and realized I never responded with my glorious 2 cents last time.

I pay almost 800 a month (sometimes more depending on the number of weeks in the month) for daycare, year round. I am required to pay the full amount even if my children are not there (sick, we are out of town, or whatever). I have to pay the full rate even when the center is closed for a holiday or for any other reason (just because). And people - this is not for two infants. This is for two elementary aged children that have no special needs.

Therefore, my gift to them is this: I pay my bill, every single week, on time and in full. That is my gift - I pay them, I pay them well, and I don't think it is needed for me to go above and beyond for a holiday when they are already extremely well compensated, which is my year round gift to them. Cheers!

FYI: You are paying for an available spot in the center, not your child physically being there. You paying for that spot ensures that their ratio is always correct regardless of whether you decide to send your child that day or not.

Additionally, I realize that there will always be folks that think people in childcare are making money hand over fist and just living the high life, but I assure you that is not the case.

If you choose not to give your children's caregivers a Christmas gift, I am sure these loving people will continue to give your child the same high quality care; but there really is no reason to be so harsh about it.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

No one has to tip a daycare worker, of course.

But, those who do nice things are often rewarded. Are you running late? Most daycares will charge a hefty after hours fee, generally charged per every minute or 5 minutes late.

If you were kind to those who give loving care to your children, they might waive that fee in response.

Have a child who is having a difficult day? The providers will probably be more willing to go the extra mile for the parents who are kind. Those who act as if the caregiver is merely a servant might find they are called home from work to pick up the irritable child.

So no... No one has to tip the caregiver. But don't expect anything above and beyond.

PS...

When a center is charging you for the days it is closed, that doesn't mean the caregivers are being paid for those days. The full-time workers may be, but daycares are notorious for hiring a majority of part-time employees. Those employees won't be paid for the holidays.