@johnsubira My daughter (3) goes to a large preschool that is known for paying their teachers really well. We kicked in $75 to the teacher gift pool organized by one of the parents.
My son (8m) goes to a small in-home daycare that undercharges by, honestly, a factor of 2. Those women are our family and we would give them each a kidney if they needed it. We're also very fortunate financially, so we give them A LOT every year. Still cheaper than lower quality childcare anywhere else.
@johnsubira I was a preschool teacher and the gifts that I liked the most were a 5-10$ Starbucks or dunkin gift card, some little candies and a handmade card from the kids. I never expected anything of course and certainly nothing over 10$.
@johnsubira Hi I'm a daycare teacher and though like everyone, at like gifts, we never expect them. One of my favorite things I got from a kid at me first center was a handmade ornament that still hangs on my tree after 6 years.
I quit teaching and just went back this year and I don't expect anything at all.
@johnsubira For teacher’s day I got both teachers $25 gift card and a card thanking them for being so great!
This Christmas I am getting them flowers with $25 gift card, since he is moving up a class at daycare (flowers from me, gift card from our toddler).
Our daycare is $2300 full time and I just can’t afford anything higher than $25/pp. but the teachers are truly amazing and i want to thank them in any way
@johnsubira Just my two cents as a former daycare center employee. I didn't reserve any judgments to parents that didn't bring in gifts for staff. I wouldn't put too much stress on yourself. Also, I don't remember the families who got me money/gift cards but I remember the families that gave me a nice blanket, some lotion, a Christmas card with a meaningful note.
@xclgreen It’s a Holiday gift, not really a “tip.” They work so hard and get paid next to nothing to spend time with my toddler all day so I give them cash at the holidays.
We also give our garbage man and cleaning ladies cash this time of year!
@hughginn I’m doing a donation in the directors name this year with a thoughtful card. She is wonderful and doing so much great work - however she gets paid much more and I don’t feel comfortable gifting her a visa gift card like I am doing with the teachers.
@hughginn I feel like it gets so tricky trying to account for everyone. The director. The cleaning ladies. The cook who works hard at preparing the meals every day. Then we have 2 receptionists. I feel like I need to get one of those cash cannons or give no one anything
@hughginn I won't. Instead, I contribute to some of their initiatives that I have time for (thankfully I have time). For example, they've asked for volunteers to reach out to key state legislators to help advocate for childcare needs in our state with the funding cliff approaching. I figure that's a better gift than a gift card!
@johnsubira I did a $50 visa gift card and put them inside a customized tote bag for each of the 6 teachers last year. I’ll probably do a bit more this year, since he only has 3 teachers (and I’ll probably do a bit less for the floaters)
@johnsubira Our daycare put a sign on the door that says bring your gifts Monday I got $10 Starbucks cards. Come on now Christmas is expensive. And so is the daycare!
I got $10 Starbucks cards. Come on now Christmas is expensive. And so is the daycare!