Early post, but what are you getting LO's caregivers for the holidays? How much are you planning to spend per caregiver?
LO is moving infant rooms next week (immobile to crawlers) and we will have five teachers total to celebrate now. Each gift just got a wee bit smaller. 
grapefruit / 4770 posts
My mom is our caregiver, but we give her a holiday bonus. Last year, it was a new le creuset pot. She thought my clarisonic Mia was really neat, so that'll be her bonus or xmas gift this year. I haven't decided. If it's her xmas gift, then we may give her a $100 gift card to one of her favorite stores as her bonus.
squash / 13208 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: as far as DCP go I only give gifts to her current teachers at Christmas time - so its never more than 2 teachers. (I assume you want to gift previous and current and that is why you are at 5?)
I do a $35 target gift card and a small gift for each of them.
kiwi / 573 posts
We did $75 for DS's provider and small gifts for her two kids (home daycare and her kids are super engaged and amazing with ours). This year they are both there (DD just before/after school) and now we have one teacher, one ECE and a daily parent volunteer in her class I would all like to gift to this year, but have no idea where to start. Her teacher has been unreal to us, but I want something that is just right versus not enough or over the top!!
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@Mamaof2: yes his first room had 3 teachers. The lead teacher helped get LO sleeping in a crib during the day and took the lead when we introduced solids. DH thinks its impirtant to show our appreciation although I could do it the day he moves. What do you do when rooms change?
eggplant / 11716 posts
I always do something small, absolutely no more than $20. It's not a year end tip or bonus, it's a token of appreciation. I usually do some treats from a local shop that does beautiful little towers of chocolate goodies, plus a $10 DD gift card or something.
squash / 13208 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I don't do antyhign when they change rooms - I do however gift throughout the year - teacher appreciation day, Halloween, thanksgiving, birthdays, etc. So I feel like it all evens out in the end.
You could always send in a tray of goodies for them to share or buy them lunch.
clementine / 854 posts
We have 4 teachers (2/kid) and one assistant who is really close to DD1. We'll probably get $50 gift cards for each teacher and $25 for the assistant.
Around Thanksgiving, our daycare puts a binder out with a sheet for each staff member. It lists some of their likes and favorite stores. I know some people find this tacky, but I love it. It's no pressure, but it gives some direction on what the teachers enjoy.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@Mamaof2: oh my! You do a lot for them 
A basket of goodies for the room may be a bit easier on me to do for next week.
@sunnyday: I am hoping as it gets closer to the holidays the DCP will provide some guidance on gifts. It's important to me too that I gift correctly.
pomelo / 5573 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: My son recently changed rooms so we did a Starbucks gift card and a card thanking them for being so good to him for each of his toddler room teachers. I thought it made more sense to do it right away than to leave it until Christmas.
eggplant / 11824 posts
We generally do about $40-$50 per main teacher (there are almost always 2) and then something smaller for subs/floaters that 1) LO has a strong connection to or 2) spend a lot of time in LO’s room. I don’t get gifts for all the floating teachers, usually just 1-2.
Gift is generally a combo of gift cards and then something else the teacher should like. Like FutureMama, our school has teachers fill out a form about their favorite shops, lotions, scents, stuff they like, etc. so that if you want to buy them a gift you have someplace to start.
I usually do a $10 GC to DD/Starbucks, a $25 to Target/grocery store and then spend like $10-$15 on a small gift like a mug/water bottle/similar size gift.
pomegranate / 3858 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: we always did gifts when we changed rooms and then at Christmas for current teachers only.
honeydew / 7504 posts
D is in preschool now so he only has one teacher - getting her a t-shirt from a small shop. A is in the infant room, where there are 3 or 4 teachers on a daily basis. We will get something for her main teacher (haven't decided what yet, but plan on $30-40) and then just donuts or something for the class.
grapefruit / 4988 posts
This is so hard for us because my LO always seems to switch daycare rooms and also get new teachers right before the holidays. I try to do giftcards (amazon, target, or amex). We did $25 ones when she had 4 main teachers and $50 ones when she had 2 main teachers. I never know what to do for assistant teachers and floaters because there are so many of them. I usually just through together a gift basket of snacks and candies for everyone.
GOLD / cantaloupe / 6703 posts
We are at a home daycare with just 2 teachers who watch both kids. We will probably get each a box of chocolate/candy, have our oldest make a card, and do a small gift card. I may also make something for their little holiday party.
At our last daycare, we were the only ones who did holidayg teacher appreciation gifts, according to the teacher. With that in mind, we won't be extravagant, maybe $25ish each.
wonderful kiwi / 23653 posts
Last year in the infant room, I just gave the lead teacher and assistant a small giftcard each; we had only been there for a little over 2 months by then, and I have no idea who else rotates into the classroom.
This year I will do the same; only for the 2 "main" teachers but will probably give a giftcard plus a little something else.
Oh and we also got the director something.
wonderful pear / 26210 posts
I go way overboard, I know I do, but I feel it's the least I can do when I am talking about the people that care for my son.
When my son was in daycare, he was older, he only had two teachers. I gifted them each $75 in cash and a small handsoap in a seasonal scent to have something to hand them. They too went above and beyond (skipping lunch to help him nap, toilet training). I pretty much do not do less than $50 per person.
In your situation, I agree with your husband, I would acknowledge the teachers in the room before as well as the current.
nectarine / 2047 posts
In DS's room there are almost always the same 4 caregivers. One main teacher and 3 floaters. I'm planning on $25 target or Starbucks gift cards for each of them and maybe donuts or something. I give gifts when he switches rooms, so if he moved right before the holidays, I wouldn't give a holiday gift since I just gave them a thank you gift.
pomegranate / 3105 posts
so following this post. LO just started daycare and I'm so lost what to get. I know there are two main people in his area, won't get any floaters (if there are), the director and the lovely lady who makes all of the food for the kids.
pear / 1622 posts
Last year we did $25 gift certificates to Chili's. Chili's had a promo that for every $50 in gift certificates, you get a $10 one that you can use in January and that was one restaurant that all of LO1's teachers had as a favorite place to eat - we had 5 teachers I think to get gifts for. Closer to the holidays, the DC posts sheets of their favorite things (colors, foods, hobbies/interests, etc) and we went off of that.
grapefruit / 4545 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I did gifts when we changed rooms for this exact reason. DD1 turned 1 in september and moved to the toddler room (she had started at daycare in January) so I missed the chance to gift those ladies. I gave them each a mantra band and wrote a very thoughtful Thank You to each of the 3 newborn teachers.
As for Christmas this year. DD1 is in pre-school...she has 2 teachers - both in their mid 20's. I'm gifting them a cute mug I found at Target (says "Sip it like its Hot"...loved it) with a pair of lularoe leggings rolled up in them. (its a $30 total gift)
For DD2...she is in the infant room so she has 2 main teachers and 1 very regular teacher. The regular teacher is getting the same gift as above. The 1 main teacher is getting a $50 gift (still figuring it out....). The other main teacher is also our sitter (and godsend) so she gets a much nicer gift as I essentially consider her a part of our family.
wonderful pea / 17279 posts
@Mrs D: I wanted to gift socks as part of a gift since the infant room is a shoe-free room. DH thought it was a bad idea. Now, I'm adding it back in. 
grapefruit / 4545 posts
@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Totally!!!! Especially super cozy ones with grippers!
Also - I should have mentioned...I bring in bagels one day for the center (its 30 teachers - so it doesnt cost too much) and leave a card out thanking all of them for their efforts...its a way to say thank you to the floaters!
| Today | Monthly Record | |
|---|---|---|
| Topics | 0 | 1 |
| Posts | 1 | 3 |
Ask for Help
Make a Suggestion
Frequently Asked Questions
Bee Levels
Acronyms
Most Viewed Posts
Hellobee Gold
Hellobee Recipes
Hellobee Features
Hellobee Contests
Baby-led Weaning
Bento Boxes
Breastfeeding
Newborn Essentials
Parties
Postpartum Care Essentials
Sensory Play Activities
Sleep Training
Starting Solids Gear
Transitioning to Toddler Bed
All Series
Who We Are
About the Bloggers
About the Hostesses
Contributing Bloggers
Apply to Blog
Apply to Hostess
Submit a Guest Blog
Hellobee Buttons
How We Make Money
Community Policies
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
22 comments