Seeking a Great Gift for Daycare Employees

I will post a glass tile light that I make and I specialize them for what you are wanting. Can you tell me what you are wanting to spend so that I can send some copies of ideas I could come up with. I ran a daycare for 10 years so I think I may be able to help out inthis field. Let me know.

You can also go to my website and look at my baskets that I have for sale it is http://klassytouchstressles.tripod.com. I found that personal items where the best because a good provider thinks about the children all year round. Let me know if I can help you

One personal gift that I have always had fun giving was one share of stock. Seems very unpersonal I know, but if you know a little about the person you can really personalize it to them and it comes neatly matted, framed & with a plaque.
Example: I have a friend who buys her daughter ALL Ralph Lauren clothing. For her daughters baptism I got her a share of stock as the gift. Wrote on the plaque, "Maria, On this special day in your life remember what is most important, God, Family and Ralph!" It was a hit!
And they have shares of stock for just about any company you could think of! WWW.ONESHARE.COM

Have you thought about something that could be used in the classroom, like a game or puzzles? There are some great teacher "aids" available that they may like and not have to worry about purchasing with their own money. That is usually what we try to get instead of the typical mug or apple "thing."

Have you checked out www.personalcreations.com?

The Willow Tree Angels are always a nice gift, b/c they will always remember who gave it to them. You can choose just the right one--there's a cute one that is a "thank you" angel.

A friend of mine teaches preschool and has said many times that her favorite gifts are small gift cards. After years of teaching, she has TONS of items with apples or children on them. And often, unfortunately, they have to get purged to make room for more gifts. She much prefers $5-10 gift cards to McDonald's, a local movie theater, a coffee shop, etc. She uses these to take a little time out for herself...or to help spoil the kids when Dad is out of town (they all go to the movies for example). It seems impersonal, but it's greatly appreciated...and like the stock suggestion, can be personalized by WHICH gift card you choose.

Might be kind of boring but I ask if there's anything that they've been needing or wanting in their classroom. Funds are usually pretty limited in daycares and anything you could purchase for them that doesn't need to be taken from their budget they appreciate. Then I also buy or bake some kind of food treat for the teachers to share.

I’ve worked in daycares and taught in schools. I would suggest getting something useful (books, toys, or games for the room) or something truly for the teacher but make it disposable (a gift card or bath salts, note cards etc).

Make sure to include a nice note from yourself and your child. Even if your child can just scribble, let them do so on the card. Talk about what you are doing (getting a gift for their teacher) and why (because you appreciate how they take care of the child). This helps a child begin to understand the importance of showing appreciation. A picture of your child would be appropriate in the card too.

If you’re interested in my rational, please read the following:

Every year there are a number of children that they work with and if they all get them things that aren’t useful, the items will more than likely end up in a garage sale or at Good Will. This has nothing to do with how that provider feels about you or your child, there is just only so much space for things.

Although some may enjoy trinkets or cute little bobbles, most would appreciate something that is more useful. Most Teachers, in the school system, spend their personal money on things for their classroom such as books, tapes, pencils, etc (This happens less often in a daycare setting).

If you know the provider personally, outside of daycare or school, getting a keepsake may make sense. Because of the personal nature of your relationship you should know a lot about their personal space and style and may get them something they would truly love and use or display. If you don’t have the relationship, stick to the fist suggestion.

My brother, Mark, manages a teacher supply store "Apples and More, A Teacher's Store". There is one located in Bellevue across from Bellevue Univ. and another one is located at 168 & Harrison (he manages this location) across the street from Fareway Grocery Store.

I have been giving gift certificates to the store to my son's elementary school teacher's as well as my daughter's daycare providers for Christmas and end of year type gifts since the store opened 3 years ago. All the teachers are VERY excited to receive them and when they get to the store, they BUY, BUY, BUY. There are SOOOOOO many things to choose from to decorate their rooms, educational toys, games, books, songs on CDs, stickers, award certificates for the kids, etc. And if there is something in particular they would like, it most likely can be ordered.

I encourage you to check it out. They also carry gift items for teachers as well.

Something you could include your child's picture with would be a good way that they could remember which child it was. I know a lot of teachers really like things they can look at and remember exactly which student it came from long after that child has gone.

you can go to www.thechildrensbookrack.com and get the teachers age basedbooks to share w her class. books are a gift she can open again..and again...and again! good luck

M. -

I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and I would be more than happy to put some items together for a gift for you! I have some gift ideas on my website, or I can make something specific for you that can fit any budget you'd like!
www.marykay.com/lauraoconnor

Everyone likes to be a little pampered - Travel size Satin Hands sets works wonders! We have nice scented lotions, too!

L. O

My daycare lady is not only wonderful, but easy as she already collects angels. So, each Christmas we get an angel for her and then we also usually get a gift for the daycare. I usually watch the Hobby Lobby ads, when paint goes 1/2 off I buy as many colors of tempera paint as I can and a huge block of construction paper. During the sale the paint only ends up being $1 a bottle and construction paper is cheap. She always looks forward to having her supplies stocked, and I like that I can help her while staying in my budget.

I always get gift cards because it is what people REALLY are happiest with!