Hi, Mommas!
We'd like to give a gift to our day care provider who watches our daughter in her home along with a few other children. My husband and I are mixed on the "budget" for this gift. Would you weigh in? We pay $200 a week for full-time care. We love her and are very happy with how she cares for our sweet daughter.
She doesn't like coffee or tea and doesn't often have time to "go out" as she has another job that she works on the weekends and an occasional night after the children leave. Right now I'm thinking either cash or maybe a gift certificate for a massage or to a spa...we're just sort of divided on how much. Thoughts?
Thanks!
I gave a week's pay as a bonus at Christmas and babysat for her kids throughout the year. I loved her and she was wonderful to my son. I was so sad when she moved. My son is in a center this year, so I'm probably just going to be bringing in cookies for the staff.
As a past provider I will let you know that a weeks pay bonus was never expected and would feel very uncomfortable. Also you need to consider your own budget, which we know BTW! I was always happy with a gift card to a book store, dinner, my favorite was a bottle of wine with a message from the kids. I still hang homemade Christmas ornaments that my past kids gave me on the tree.
Also, you could get together with the other parents and if you know of a big ticket item that she would like for her program buy that! I would have loved if for Christmas I got a new set of wooden block and shelves to put them on, or a new play kitchen with table chairs place settings and healthy food! How about a food share if there is a local place for organic fruit?
Good Luck!
Gift cards to the spa or for a hair cut always left me wondering 'how bad do I look at the end of the night, unless you know she frequents them, don't do it..
I'm a daycare provider--although I don't expect anything, I usually still get something from my families. I usually receive gift cards for Christmas. One family knows me really well, and so they usually get me one to one of my favorite restaurants. Otherwise, I also enjoy receiving gift cards to book stores, school supply stores, etc. That way it goes right back into purchasing something I can use for my center.
I personally would not feel comfortable receiving a week's salary as a gift. That, to me, is just too much. Just something small & simple to show her that she is appreciated.
BTW, a homemade gift from your daughter would be wonderful too. I love receiving things like that :)
Hope that helps!
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