Hi there, my 2.5-year-old boy started going to a daycare center this June. We are thinking about giving his teachers gift cards for Christmas. But there are around 6 teachers who take care of him, so I am wondering if I should give gifts to all of them?
He has a lead teacher in his class who usually comes in around 9:30am. Before the lead teacher comes in, two other teachers look at the kids while they have breakfast. Then the lead teacher and one other teacher (several teachers take turns!) take over till around 5pm. After that, there is another 'after-care' teacher. We usually pick our son up around 5:30pm.
Should we give gift cards to all the teachers who tend to my son? Also about the amount of gift cards, how much is appropriate? Thank you very much!!
The first year my son was in a center with this arrangement I did the personal gift cards. It didn't go well. The day I took them in one of the teachers wasn't there, a new girl was, and I felt terrible that I didn't have something for her.
The next year I made a basket of mixed, singly wrapped miniature chocolates and labeled it for everyone.
M.
I'd give gift cards to the lead teachers, and maybe a little gift bag with a card and chocolates to the other teachers. I worked in a daycare, and it's the lead teachers who really do most of the work. The others sort of fill in and supervise in the in-between times. Amount? Anywhere from $10-$50, depending on what you are able to do.
I think this is a personal decision on what you are able to do. I have a 2 year old at daycare too. There is a lead "provider" then another lady that helps out occasionally too. Financially, we aren't able to do a whole lot, so my son made them both gifts (ornaments) and we baked cookies for them. I bought holiday plates at Target, and told them to keep the plates. Something small, but hopefully worthy to them. =)
I've read in some places its customary to give bonuses of a week's pay at this time of year - but I know we couldnt' do that! YIKES!
H.-
I used to slip a card with a heartfelt thank you and a small gift card amount to my son's primary caregiver. Then I made a basket with grown up treats for breaks: crackers, cheese, sausages, goodies, teas, coffees and cocoas for the rest of the staff to share.
S.
I have been worried about this very same thing. My son has one main teacher but really two main teachers. He also has someone there first thing in the morning and then late afternoon there are 2 others that tend to watch his class. This is also his first year at a daycare center so I wasn't sure what to really do. My husband and I do not have a lot of extra disposable income!
I decided just yesterday that I am going to go Target or Pier One maybe and get them all an ornaments (you can find cute ones for under $5) and then I think for his main 2 teachers I am going to add something little extra (another holiday decoration). I don't like gift cards because they put an exact value on the gift and then I didn't want to to baked goods because I am not sure of his teachers schedules over the next week.
My daughters first year I took in a gift card for each person who cared for her...$25 each and there were quite a few. I decide after the fact that was just way too much money so the following years I ordered pizza (got the $5 mediums from pizza hut) and provided pizza to the whole day care for arond $50. That way I didnt have to worry about leaving anyone out.
