I'm trying to actually not leave my Christmas shopping for the last minute this year, so was just making a list of everyone we need to buy for. Do you give a gift to your childcare provider(s)? If so, how much do you usually spend? LO is in a daycare center, and has two main teachers that are in charge of her room, so I was thinking of giving them both a Target gift card.
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we gave charlie's two main teachers $100 each, and then $50 to the assistant. i was going to make something, but i guess cash or gift cards is the standard gift!
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@Mrs. Bee: That seems like a lot of money, but I know you live in NYC - do you think the amount you give would depend on how much your daycare center costs?
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There are so many teachers at DD's place. I think I gave around 10 people a gift last year so I give $50 each.
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@Adira: we definitely gave more than average. but charlie's daycare is so small (11 students total and not all of them are full-time). the teachers are owners and really treat the kids like their own so i wanted to go a little above and beyond. charlie is just so happy there, as are all the kids. we just really love the daycare!
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@Mrs. Bee: Thanks for the input! I won't have to worry about this until NEXT Christmas, but it's definitely something I want to think about and keep in mind!
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I was just thinking about this this morning. I have been baking goodies and bringing them in randomly, and they seem to enjoy that. So I'm going to make them gift baskets with baked goods, wine and gift cards. I didn't think about giving them cash, but the baskets will end up being about that much for each one.
They take such good care of my daughter that I want to do something special for them. I watch them on the webcam, dealing with the chaos of 8 babies while maintaining the patience of saints, so they definitely deserve it!
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I was thinking about doing something along the lines of a gift basket or baked goods too, but I don't think you can ever go wrong with a gift card!! What about a gift card attached to a little wrapped cellophane treat with some candies or cookies?
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We gave $50 Target gift cards to two teachers at LO's school last year, and will probably do the same this year. I think gift cards are really appreciated by the staff.
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when i worked in preschool & in a daycare, the parents usually went in on a gift, so you may want to see if anyone is thinking of started a pool for a group gift. i also got a lot of individual gifts, some more appropriate than others- once i was given a $50 gift card to victoria's secret.... and i was 19 at the time, so weird!
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@mrs. bird: Thanks for the tip! I'll definitely wait and see if other parents are thinking of this closer to the time...I guess the good thing is with a gift card it's not as hard to buy last minute if a group gift doesn't end up coming together!
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When I worked in a preschool, I got Starbucks, target, and Macys cards. They ranged from $15-50. I also got baked goods and stuff, but I loved gift cards! I also loved gift cards to a local teacher supply store too because I was always buying supplies out of my own pocket, so that was always nice.
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I always gave Sephora gift cards plus pre-assembled Philosophy lotion & shower gel gift sets.. The teachers and administrators were usually in their 20s and 30s, and they always loved it. Philosophy because they always have some pretty affordable gift sets during the holidays... And usually packaged cute too, so less work for me! Racked up on my Sephora reward points too!
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As a teacher I would really love even a small token of appreciation from the parents (even a card!) but have never got one! The teachers will appreciate whatever you do, just acknowledge them
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I usually get a $20 gift card from my daycare girls Mom. I appreciate it.
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We've given gifts to DD's daycare teachers both years she was there. The first year she was transitioning between rooms so we had 5 teachers to buy for (2 from each room and 1 floating between the two); I got them all a $10 gift card to a bookstore. The second year she had 3 teachers and I knitted them each a scarf. This year DD and DS will be with an in-home provider and they are currently the only kids she watches. I'm guessing we'll probably give her a holiday "bonus" and perhaps a restaurant gift certificate too.
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The most I ever gave at Christmas was $25 Starbucks gift cards per teacher. For 2 kids worth of teachers, that ran me about $250. Another year, I gave bath products (not sure how popular that ended up being). Last year, I gave token gifts of colorful fuzzy socks that DD helped pick out. I think the most important is including a nice note expressing your appreciation. There are lots of gift-giving opportunities during the year (teacher appreciation week, end of the year, etc), so I am trying to keep it simple and not break the bank.
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I'm going with either a travel coffee mug or straw cup with some goodies and a $5 Starbucks card.
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Any suggestions for how to handle multiple teachers? Our daughters room has 1 lead teacher (there from 6:30-2:30). There is typically then 2-4 additional teachers in the room depending on the amount of students. I would love to do something really nice for the lead, and wouldn't mind doing a larger $50 gift card or so but not sure how to handle all the others. To be honest, they are all new and I don't even know most of their names.
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i'd love to turn this into a post! keep the ideas coming. here are a couple more:
cute/inexpensive way to package a starbucks gift card: https://pinterest.com/pin/104216178847827280/
diy monogrammed mug: http://www.designmom.com/2010/11/diy-monogram-mugs/
box of teacher goodies: http://eighteen25.blogspot.com/2010/04/box-of-teacher-goodies.html
sharpies: http://pinterest.com/pin/14144186300796962/
more cute ideas: http://pinterest.com/pin/14144186300709177/
I can have our graphic designer create some printables!
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@Thehistoryofus: I have this dilemma too and have never figured it out... I ended up just giving all the same gift so as not to create an awkward situation. But I would love to do something special for the lead teacher.
Plants are pretty inexpensive. Another mom gave tiny tiny potted fir trees for Christmas, and I gave a small succulent plant last year for Teacher's Appreciation. They really liked that one, and actually I believe some of the plants joined the class plant collections and I still see them in the room. I let DD make a homemade gift tag to add a personal touch.
@Mrs. Bee: I would love to see this as a post as well!
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I've gotten a lot of feedback from teachers that pretty much anything other than cash or gift cards gets thrown out. So I did $25 dunkin donuts gift cards to his 2 main teachers, the director, and the director's assistant. $10 amazon gift cards to all the part time aides (5 of them).
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Btw, if you are buying gift cards consider getting them at your grocery store when they run promos. I've bought gift cards that yielded me $10 in free groceries for every $50 gift card as well as $1 off each gallon of gas, etc.
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We go to an in-home daycare so it's only one lady to buy a gift for but I have a couple ideas.
Pamper - Give her a gift card to the nail place she likes to go to along with some essie polish and other pampering essentials (traveling manicure kit?)
Movie - A gift card to a the local Movie Theater, maybe with a cute popcorn bowl (seeing about personalizing it) with some gourmet popcorn inside.
We live in a somewhat small town, so it makes picking specific places a little easier. If all else fails, I'll get her a gift card to a local restaurant or Target.
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