Unfortunately my husband and I have a family funeral to attend. We do not want to take our 2 and 4 year old. So we are having a teacher at their preschool watch them during this time. This will be at her house from 11:30-5:30. I asked her how much she'd like and she basically said, "I don't usually charge, I just enjoy spening quality time with them".
We most certainly will compensate her for her time.
Any suggestions for dollar amounts? Gifts? I have an idea what I'd like to do but I was wondering if I was off-base. I will disclose my idea later because I want to hear other opinions first. Compensating this wonderful teacher will not break our budget, I just don't want to see cheap or overly extravagant.
Thank you for the input. I was thinking of a $60 gift certificate to a nice local restaurant for her and her husband. I am glad to see I am thinking along the same lines as you guys. I will also do a handwritten note and maybe some wine, as suggested. Thank you for the wonderful advice.
Let's see... 6 hours of babysitting for 2 kids. I would do a $50 gift certificate to local restaurant with a nice hand-written thank-you note. I think more than that may be a little extravagant, but less is a little cheap. Considering the fact that they will be at her home, so she can still get things done there, it's more convenient than being at your home for the day.
$50 gift card is sufficient.
I think cash and bottle of wine so the money is free to be used for pleasure or to really help out with a need. $60. 00 is a good minimum. Cash could be for a dinner out or grocery's. I say no gift card.
You've already got a lot of answers, but I just wanted to offer what I do when one of the teachers from our son's daycare has watched our son for us, on days where school is out and the on-site daycare program is closed. Keeping in mind that the tiems we've used her it has been for a full work day, as if we were taking him to daycare, but taking him to her house instead because daycare is closed, I have insisted on paying her the daycare center's daily rate. It is high, but I think that it confirms that we veiw her as a professional.
If you were paying a sitter, in our area, you could expect to pay $15-$20 an hour. How about a $100 american express gift card and a bottle of wine if you mean to compensate her instead of paying cash. If you mean to just give her a "thank you" sort of gift, then a $25 gift card to a panera bread, or similar sort of lunch establishment, and a bouquet of flowers.
Good luck to you and yours.
F. B.
Hi, although you got some answers already, I just wanted to give you my 5 cents. We are in a similar situation. We do not have any family living close to us, so our Daycare Lady is offering once in a while to watch the kids, so we can have a date. She never wants any money, so I usually get her a 50$ Gift Certificate for a local restaurant that she and her family can enjoy together. Hope that helps and all the best, C.
I would not pay her less than $10/hour. There are 2 kids and she's a professional. $12 might even be more appropriate.
I had to edit my answer when I saw the other responses. A $50 gift card is nice but cash is king. I would strongly suggest the money.
