Our daughter has been going to an in-home daycare for 2-1/2 years. Next week, she will be starting preschool full-time, so Friday is her last day at the daycare. When we started at the daycare, there were three other little kids there, but as they got older and started preschool or kindergarten, our daughter was the only one left, and has been the only one there for almost a year (the daycare provider is word-of-mouth only so she didn't take in anyone else).
The daycare lady has been really excellent. She gave our daughter a lot of love and attention, and yesterday she told me that it's going to be very hard for her to see our daughter leave, because she feels almost like she's her grandaughter. We paid her $150 a week. I'm definitely going to stay in touch with her, and will bring my daughter over to visit every so often.
We want to do something to show our appreciation, so I was thinking of a thank you card with a monetary bonus, but I'm not sure how much to give, or if that is a normal thing to do. Would you give a bonus, and if so, how much is a good amount?
I'm editing to add: Judging from the answers so far, what I was thinking of giving is plenty, and maybe too much. It's just hard to put a price on getting reliable, loving care for your children - I'd give her more if I could, as I'm sure all moms would. I've given her gift cards at Christmas before, and she doesn't really use them, so that's why I was thinking of cash. Thanks!
I think one weeks pay would be a nice (and generous) gift. Having that kind of care is priceless IMO.
One suggestion we did when one of our girls at our center was leaving to start her own in-home...
We bought a terra cotta flower pot and some outdoor paints. I had my son and his best friend put their handprints on the side and painted "You helped us grow" and put a gerbera daisy inside. Something nice that she can remember how much she meant to your daughter over the years.
I'm sure she would appreciate a bonus. I think you should go for it! Maybe one week's "tuition" (i.e. $150). i think that would be perfect (if you can afford it - If not, just give what you can comfortably afford and I'm sure whatever it is, she'll be appreciative). :)
You have had an incredible situation. I'd pay her at least $300. She's basically been your nanny. I always paid mine a two week bonus each year and that seems reasonable here.
Abt a week's tuition and a homemade card.
I would definitely give something...whatever you feel is a good amount and that you can afford. I am constantly bringing flowers, candy, books for the daycare, etc. just to show our appreciation for the wonderful care she gives to our son...really it's piceless!
What we are doing is a bouquet of flowers with a card and $50. I am also going to continue bringing my kids over when we have a date night or need occasional care, so they can maintain that bond. My kids love Ms Rosa and Ms Rosa loves them. There is no way we are saying goodbye to her. She's family. We will still send her Mothers Day and birthday cards and get her a Christmas present. But, like I say, she's family.
If cash I'd give $50 or 20%-25% of a week's pay depending on my budget. However, I'd rather give a gift card for a spa treatment, dinner or dinner and a movieso the provider treats herself. Providers could easily spend the cash on daycare supplies but I'd rather the provider get a break from child care w/ my bonus.
In 25 years I can count gifts or bonuses I ever received on one hand. Most parents have gotten me cards and I've worked mostly with single moms that were barely making it. My few bonuses came from moms that have husbands that are with them. One mom gave me a 50 dollar bonus and I had a mom ask me once if there was one thing I'd never buy for myself. I told her that I'd love an old fashioned hair dryer that you sit under LOL! That was in the early 90's. One mom gave me a 250 bonus at Christmas and the next year when finances were tighter she gave me 150.
If you don't think that money is real tight for her, I'd think she would appreciate anything really. Just being appreciated is so very nice and I've appreciated the cards, pictures, and verbal thank you's just as much.
I'd give her no less than $50 and up to one full week of tuition. It depends how you are feeling.
Also, keep in mind that you will need someone when your daughter is not feeling good or on days that pre school is not open, vacations and hopefully the occasional date night. So since you love her - be sure to treat her well.
I would take your daughter to a Build a Bear and have her help make on just for her with a gift card for a nice place to go eat, shop whatever she enjoys on her time off. It is not standard but when there is a bond gifts are common. I was with the same woman from 3mo until I was 11y/o and as an adult I still visit when I go back to Ca, when I was preggers she gave me a beautiful jewlery gift in addition to many others in the past and we go back and fourth with things like that. So, like I said Build a Bear and a gift card would be nice.
