Day Care Fundraisers

mandarod · October 2009

All of you moms who send your LO to a daycare center - do you have to participate in multiple fundraisers?

Three weeks ago we were asked to bring items for DD's room's themed basket that was to be auctioned off at the fall festival. Last week we were sent home with a cookie dough fundraiser. This week, we received notice that we would get a pizza fundraiser packet next week. Seriously? I thought we at least had until she got into school until we had to start selling crap.

I can understand that they want new equipment, and I know the teachers don't make that great of a salary, but three fundraisers in three weeks (in addition to the yearly registration fee ($160) that we just had to pay in August) for a 6 MONTH OLD? Please tell me this is not the norm...

wedonabudget · October 2009

That would bug me for sure. I hate when people bring fundraisers to work when their kids are in daycare because the purpose of fundraisers to me was always that the kid could do the sales and learn you know? Our daycare is by no means great, but we don't do fundraisers unless it helps the kids like book fairs, etc. Our registration fee is $100 and we still get sheets sent home that this is their class wish list if we have any gently used stuff at home. I was on a parents committee and we had brainstorming sessions on how to get money for the extras and the fundraisers like cookie dough, candles, etc. were nixed quickly. We had ideas like Chick Fil A days, book fairs, coupon book sales, etc. These are only geared toward the parents and we never had to take it to others to sell on our own. It's just annoying that we pay SO MUCH $$ and they still don't have enough to go around. I personally am broke so they don't get very far with me

I get it that they need it, but I don't have it. I do contribute to all parties with food/drink/etc. Plus you are learning how to deal with a baby and juggling your new life, you shouldn't have to worry about keeping up your sales too - you'll get slammed with that the older your kid gets

gigimarie · October 2009

Ugh yes Sophia's DC has fundraisers constantly and we do no participate. We do donate and contribute for the festivals, teacher appreciation week and other activities they have but that is it. Until my kid can ask herself for someone to buy something then we do not plan to contribute to those.

pjoann78 · October 2009

Katelin isn't in DC but I'd be PO'd if I had to do fundraisers! What is the point of the registration fees and the weekly/monthly fees that you pay??? Shouldn't that cover their expenses? Jeeze... I guess I'd be a bad DC mommy!

amanda7207 · October 2009

We don't participate. Period! I pay $400 a year in supply fees along with a yrly registration fee so that should be plenty.

Winter*Mommy · October 2009

DD is not in daycare, but in a PDO program and there is only one big fundraiser every other year... its big though - huge fundraising luncheon, silent auction, tables for purchase, insane raffle prizes, etc. ?Last year they bought a new musical playground with the money. ?I can handle doing something big every other year for a quality piece of equipment or a new learning center.

However, her dance studio is charging an astronomical amount of money for their recital (to be expected), but they are also charging $25 / person for a Halloween party this weekend and all proceeds go to the recital - but the proceeds don't knock a portion of our required cost off... it just makes it better. ?I'm paying $200 for just the recital - I am not about to take my entire family to a Halloween festival for another $100 just to make the recital better when its already amazing!

I get really sick of schools nickel and diming right and left - one big fundraiser a year is plenty - if you let people save up over time, you can get some nice donations... but if you ask for money every other week for something different, people will get worn out and just stop giving in general. ?

Alysa · October 2009

We've only had a couple since DS started in April. There was a book fair and Chuck E Cheese event. There is a Fall festival that is coming up but I haven't signed up for anything yet ... still deciding. I'd be annoyed with 3 fundraisers in 3 weeks.

flygeah · October 2009

There are 2 fundraisers at DS's Daycare...one in the spring and one in the fall. We don't have packets to bring home or anything like that, but they have things you can buy (like pizza's) and part of the proceeds go to the school for the fundraisers. The money for the fundraiser do not go to the school it is donated to a Children's hospital. We participate a little; I brought a few things for the carnival, and we will try to make it to the Carnival (same day a previous engagement,) but I don't feel pressured to participate. As he gets a little older I will participate more.

sweetpea18 · October 2009

DD just started at a new montessori. I have no idea if they do fund raisers like that. I'm guessing the school-aged kids do. They do ask for donations of items, though. Right now, there is a sign up list for gardening stuff so they can plant fall flowers. They ask parents in every room to donate because all rooms participate in the activities.

MrsMeg · October 2009

The only things my kids' school does is service-oriented fundraisers for non-profits (like a trike-a-thon for St. Jude's and a March-a-thon for March of Dimes) I like that we're teaching the kids to do something to help others out.

An old daycare we were at did fundraisers just to earn money for themselves and we just didn't participate. If the kid can't even be the one selling it, and we're PAYING for child care...no thanks.

JoyGotDots · October 2009

At the preschool I work at we have two fundraisers. A small one in October and a large one in April/May. Three in three weeks is a bit much. I'd ask and see what the money is going towards. At my school the registration fee pays for purchasing the curriculum we use. The tuition goes towards salaries, regular school supplies, and business costs. The fundraisers go towards special purchases. Each room gets a set amount for a "wish list" and we use that to purchase new toys special supplies. We usually do one large purchase each year. Our owner is careful not to buy typical supplies (cubbies, paper, paint) with the fundraising money because that is what our normal income is for. Fundraisers are just for the extras.

turkishdelight · October 2009

My son is almost a year and a half and has been in daycare since he was 8 weeks old. We don't sell cookie dough, buy from the book fair, sell the pizza fundraiser or anything like that. I pay tutition and registration fees and feel like that is enough of a contribution. We did bring candy for the fall festival last year....and I get his teachers gift cards for teacher appreciation week. I also try to get his teachers little gifts--candy, candles, $5 to Starbucks, etc throughout the year.....but basically because I believe that the sweeter I am to them they will be more likely to do things for DS when I ask them.

Honestly I hate fundraisers. When I was a teacher we had a meeting with the parents on our team and said, "You can sell X or you can just give $20." Three kids sold stuff. The other 60 some odd paid the $20. We called it the "No Stress Fundraiser." The parents loved it.....but this was older kids and we were raising money for a big field trip.

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