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Pre-School and Daycare
audrey79
member
Anyone NOT getting their daycare provider a Christmas gift?
audrey79
member
Why or Why not?
The way I see it, I pay $2100 a month for my 2 kids to go there. I'm pretty sure they see some of this in their paychecks. There are also 2 teachers to each class- asst. and lead teacher, plus the support / float staff, the director, asst. director, owner, I mean, really 10 gifts and $20+ each while I'm already paying them $2100 a month?!?!??! We just don't have that kind of money, especially now that I've got #3 on the way!
I'm thinking a Christmas card with personal message... am I being a scrooge/grinch.
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Anyone NOT getting their daycare provider a Christmas gift?
Yes, you're being a scrooge. Sorry, but you asked.
These people take care of your children 5 days a week (I'm assuming they go full-time). In my opinion, DS's daycare provider is one of the most important people in my life because she cares for my son.
I like to give one week's pay or the equivalent, but I completely understand that's not feasible for some people. But I think something is in order -- a small gift card, a box of treats, etc. Now that he's in a center, I give a gift basket to the whole staff and a small gift card to each of his head teachers.
If this means I have to deduct money from someone else's gift, so be it.
Yes, you are being a Scrooge. As the PP commented these teachers are the most important people in the lives of my children after myself and husband and on some days spend more waking time with my kids unfortunately. I would love to give them a weeks pay or the equivalent gift but that is not in the cards for us budget wise. I gave my daughters pre-school teacher a box of homemade cookies, $10 gift card to Wal-mart and a nice candle. She has only had my daughter for a couple of weeks at this point.
My DS child care provider will be give a nice candle, framed picture of DS (she's hinted at this) and cash. I would love to give her a gift card for a mani/pedi or something gifty but the staff of the center does not get paid for the two weeks that they center is closed for the holidays so I think at this point she will appreciate having some cash ($40) to put toward necessities.
I'll take in a big cake or brownies or something for the entire center staff to share one day this week too.
DD loves her teacher and it's obvious that her teacher loves her. That makes her in my top ten most important people to buy for. We're not made of money though, so I make some Christmas candy to give out along with a Christmas card with a handwritten thank you, and a picture of DD.
For the main teacher, I give a VISA giftcard around $30 and the other two teachers get a Starbucks card around $15 each.
Hmmm.. thanks ladies, intersting take on the situation and insight I never though of. To my credit though, DS#2's lead teacher has only been caring for him for 4 months, and the asst. teacher for 2 WEEKS. He's also transitioning to another class and they won't be his teachers anymore after Christmas... I like them, they do a great job, but there's no real attachment or committment.
DS#1's asst. teach is new also, she's only been caring for him for 1 month, but I ADORE her, the lead teacher not so much- we have our issues.... DS#1 is only 1/2 time as well since he also attends free preschool at the local elementary school...
Perhaps a card w/a nice box of chocolates would suffice given my current situation/relationships w/the teachers....
Thanks again for your input!
DD -- 5YO
DS -- 3YO
Yup. I agree with everyone else. From what I've heard, DC teachers don't make much above minimum wage. Ok, that might be an exaggeration, but I know public school teachers aren't paid sh!t and daycare teachers are usually paid less, so I wouldn't assume they're seeing much of that hefty tuition that you pay.
Beyond all the reasons mentioned, kids love to give their teachers gifts. Half the time, the teachers open the gifts in front of the kids which leads to an awkward "Where's mine?" when your child doesn't have one and doesn't realize it. We had 13 "teachers" to buy for this year. My kids are only at preschool part-time, but DD#1 has 2 teachers and DD#2 has 3. Then they have a music/gym teacher (same person), a director and an assistant director at the preschool. There's also museum school that DD#1 goes to with two teachers, two gymnastics coaches (one for each girl) and a Kindermusik teacher for DS. Because we're part-time and we have so many teachers, I gave them all coffee mugs with homemade fudge. Then we got small GC to Barnes and Noble or Starbucks for the main teachers who have the kids for longer periods of time during the week or who the kids love.
if you aren't giving a gift you should at least think about a christmas tip or bonus--these are important people in your kids' lives. or is there a way to go in on something with other parents?
we never gave our daycare lady a gift--we always gave her a bonus--like 2 weeks pay instead. we did in-home daycare though so things might be different at a center.
i would say really only the main teachers need a gift of $10 or more the assitants could get a coffee gift card ($5) but really for an entire year that is pretty cheap
As a former DCP, this is true... average pay is about $8 an hour, and if you have a 4 year degree like me, it jumped to a whopping $11 per hour, and that was at a "nice" daycare center... I would still be working there if I could have made a living doing it, but it's not possible... I'm not saying this to guilt anyone, but just know the teachers are there because they want to be, not because of the money they are making!
who else deserves a gift from you more than the people caring for your children every day??
daycare teachers make SQUAT - for one of the hardest jobs ever. I have done it- and it's HARD... the least you can do is give them a little something. I highly doubt you really can't afford something small for each of them.... cutting back somewhere else, etc.
even a $5 gift card to DD + a nice note of thanks.... doesn't have to be a lot- but show that you care and are appreciative of all the hard work they put in every day to keep your child happy, safe and learning.
**Preschool teacher here**
Gifts are always nice but never expected. If you are worried about $$, What about a small box of homemade cookies and a nice note?
I'm in the minority, I did not give DS daycare teachers a gift. He is not in daycare for the 2 weeks around christmas to see what the other kids give. I do however give a gift to each of his primary teachers when he transitions to the next room.
When I gave to the teachers in his 1 year old room, I got a very nice thank-you card from 1 and I'm still waiting (6 months later) from a thank-you from the other.
While I don't think they are expected, I also like to give at a different time of the year, and a thank-you when received is also appreciated.