I'd like to show my appreciation to the teacher's who take care of my 1 year old at daycare. I think cash or a gift card would probably be most appreciated. Can anyone give me an idea of how much I should give them?
I've read online that you should give a nanny 1 weeks salary. I don't think that applies to a daycare facility. Also, I'm not sure what kind of a salary they make.
Also, should I tip the "floater" teachers as well? or give them a smaller gift?
L.,
I recommend that the amount you donate is only what you can comfortably afford. Don't fall into the trap of trying to equal amounts previously given by other folk who may be better-off financially than you are at present.
The DayCare concerned is sure to have a general gift facility for donations received from other well-wishers.
Happy Christmas.
I usually check out the teacher's nails? are they nice... long.. do they look done... Then if they look like they are a nail person.. I get them a 10. gift card for the nail place or $10 to Starbucks.. or something like that.. just a small thank you. Then at the end of the year I get them something a little bigger. This year I bought my daughters teacher a lenox ornament for the tree.. and it was on sale at Macy's for 7. and it seems like a really nice gift. Good luck
Dear L.,
I own a daycare center and gift cards are always a great idea. A few of our moms provide a catered lunch or breakfast for us rather then individual gifts. The teachers love that because it is an opportunity for us to get together relax and be served for a change. The breakfast platter was really nice it was an assortment of bagels, muffins and fruit, which we really enjoyed. My teachers work so hard throughout the year and they are what makes my center such a success. Parents who show them appreciation no matter what it is is what keeps them going. Thanks for asking and have a great holiday!!
We have 6 teachers at daycare to give gifts too (3 from the infant room and 2 from the toddler room, plus an additional floater), so I'm crocheting snowflakes for them, and will supplement something else small (like a $10 gift card or something). Hopefully they will understand that times are tough this year for everyone!
Last year I did not get a gift for the floater (a 4th in the infant room), but I plan to give her something small this year. By the way, the teachers in our infant room here in upstate NY make $10 an hour or less.
When my daughter was in daycare there were a lot of wonderful people who took care of her like she was family. They have a low paying job and deal with a lot of grub from accidents in the pants, spilled food & art supplies, tantums, etc. It was a big chunk of change for me, but I saved specifically for this by putting in a dollar a day, literally, in a jar. I also sell avon, so I would give $$ to each teacher, helper, a nice card noting a specific incident that showed how caring they were to my daughter. Also, thru out the year, if I had a party, lefteover pastries or food I would bring in for the staff and kids. And for the admin staff at the Y, one year I wanted to give the staff something, but I didn't have much $$, I made a little platter with fruits, cheeses, crackers, candy and I made a brownies from a mix. I have friends who are teachers and I asked their advice and they all said they get way too much candy, soaps, lotions, scarves. They told me gift cards were always nice, even if it was for Dunkin Doughnuts instead of Starbucks.
The owneners were an older married couple. I sold Avon, so I was able to get them a nice gift w/o spending too $$$, usually a watch, picture frames. Other families donated their used, but good condition car seats, play sets, etc. They always appreciated that, it was like a little Christmas for the kids too.
Happy Holidays!
J.
Here's a good link on tipping different service providers:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/11/13/lifestyle/holiday_tipping...
Maybe a smaller gift for the floater teachers would be appropriate.
I don't have an answer, but am very intrested in some guidelines as well. In my son's daycare, there are 2 teachers from his class. in addition, there are 2 from the class to which he is transitioning. There is also the owner and the director... so I have no clue who should get what. I was debating something between $25 to $50 per person. Last year, I bought starbucks gift cards, and a mug and added some home cooked holiday cookies for the teachers, and gave a tea set from starbucks to the director, assistant, and the owner. The tera sets were rewally cute and were only $10. I may do a gift like that for the director and the owner again this year. Which will leave 4 teachers, and I am still debating between $25 or $50. They work so hard all year round, and my son loves them, but $200 is a good chunk of change...
