My sons have been going to a WONDERFUL daycare for the past 4 years. Sadly, we are preparing to leave them in May as they do not have a school age program and we're headed to Kindergarten (wow time goes fast!!). I can not even begin to describe how wonderful our time at this small center has been. At some point each and every staff member has made a positive impact on my boys and I want to find a way to show my apperication for everything they have done. At first I thought I would like to get something - a game or toy or some needed supplies - I'm wondering if this would be a good idea or if anyone has any other ideas they would be willing to share?
Thank you to everyone who wrote back! I think I'll get a gift for the center (or maybe a gift card) and will for sure be writing Thank You notes to each of the teachers :)
Could you cater a lunch? That would be a great way to say thank you to every one who works there.
It doesn't have to be fancy: pizzas, panera (10/box), etc.
How thoughtful of you.
Gifts for the daycare...toys or books would likely be appreciated. It would be wonderful for you to write a note or letter to the daycare (or each staff memeber) telling them how you feel about the daycare (or the staff person). These notes or letters are treasured forever.
As a daycare provider for 22 yrs, I would say the best gifts are homemade, handmade gifts. Anything with a handwritten letter of appreciation or with pictures is so touching and something I keep forever. I love what Danielle said about the pots with the kids' hands on them. They could sit outside the center and they could plant something new every year (even their classroom teacher could personally replant something each spring and then think of your kids when she does it). This is very thoughtful of you.
S.
I think I would buy a gift a little more memorable. Their are those bracelets that have links on them. You can have a picture for one link, the name of the daycare on another, a little heart as well, another that says number one. I got mine at Walmart and I love it. The good thing about it is if its to big, links can be taken out or vice versa.I have been wearing mine forever.Good luck with your choice.
Take care.
That sounds like a wonderful idea! I have a home daycare and families usually give me a personal gift when they leave and sometimes one for my assistant(s), but that's because it's a home daycare. I think a gift for the whole facility is a great idea for a larger operation.
I had an in home care taker and she watched my son until he was 3. I gave her a gift card to get her hair done at a local salon and then I made a collage, taking 2 pictures from each month from birth two age 3. I found a nice poem on the internet about care givers and put that in the middle of the collage. Good luck!
We had someone leave our daycare to start her own. Another mom and myself got together and bought a terra cotta pot and some outdoor paints and had our boys put their handprints on the side with their names. We also wrote "you've helped us grow" and you can either put some planting stuff inside or just a plant. She absolutely loved it!
I think it would be a wonderful idea to get them something that the daycare needs or would use. Most day care's are running on tight budgets so the little items are overlooked. Getting needed supplies would be great or a gift card to the local craft store so they could purchase what they need, such as paper or paint or whatever. Congratulations on being a wise women in trying to show your appreciation for a job well done.
The daycare i work at we've had parents send in lunch and also some have donated items for the center. Both are very much appreciated!
I love the idea of having lunch sent in O. day. let them know ahead of time.
Or, I'm sure a small child care center can ALWAYS use gift cards for Target, Michaels, grocery store (snacks), for all kinds of supplies for the kids.
Just make sure to give a plain, handwritten note expressing how they have made a very real and important impact on your boys' lives.
It sounds like you're at a center, so perhaps there are too many people to "gift" individually, and if that's the case, then a gift to the center itself is probably a good idea. But...if there's a way to individually say to these people that have been great to your kids that they had an impact--whether it's a small gift, a cooperative gift to the teachers, or a thank you card with what they have personally done for your child in addition to a gift to the center...I think it would probably mean a lot to the teachers to know that their hard work is being very much appreciated! Also, if there is any room for doubt as to the reason for your leaving, I'd very encourage you to let them know that it has NOTHING to do with them--although I'm guessing you've already done that.
My first thought would be a gift that keeps on giving like planting tulips that will come up each spring. They are low maintenance and they will brighten everyone day all spring.
