What to Give on Last Day

My daughter has a teacher that is leaving for another school at the start of the school year and we have come to know this teacher very well and she even took care of my daughter when I was in labor with my youngest. I am giving her a couple of things that she likes and that suit her personal tastes. She likes gardens, and flowers and she likes journals. So I am making her a journal cover (and getting a journal to go along with it) and making a matching quilt and getting a coffee mug with flowers on it to some what match the quilt and journal cover. My daughter picked out the fabric for the quilt which has flowers on it and is kind of a garden type feel to it.

What does your day care provider like? Start there and you can figure something out.

I watch children and it is always hard to see a child go. I enjoy an email once in awhile to hear how they are doing. I have so many children come through the house and they all love to give gifts and I love seeing their faces when they hand me a gift, but my house is small and I can't keep all the gifts they give me. I always enjoy a gift certificate. I don't think you need to put a lot of money into it. One of my favorites is a certificate for a coffee shop. Keep in mind that who ever takes care of your children has the most important job in the world. There is nothing more valuable than you child and if you have a good sitter, they believe they are being trusted with your most valued treasure.

One year (about 4-5 yrs ago), my son made a "Thumb one loves you" heart to put on the refrigerator (hand made magnet). I really treasure this and still have it on my fridge... and who doesn't need a magnet on the fridge? You could make this and have your son make a Thank You card for her telling how he will miss her. I'm sure this small gift would mean so much more than running to the store for something. If this interests you, cut a heart shape on a piece of paper (construction or such). Write on it "Thumb one loves you" and let your child put his thumb print under the saying - together to make a heart shape. Then if you don't want to laminate it, just use clear contact paper over it. Use those peel and strip magnets to the back and ta-da!... you have a magnet!

I've worked in a Preschool for 3 years and my favorite gift I got was a Willow Tree figurine that symbolized a mother being pregnant. I was pregnant when I first started and got that from a little girl for Christmas. I have it sitting on a shelf and think of her each time I see it. They put a lot of thought into that gift.

I would say that a Thank You card made by your son just for the caregiver would be a good start. Also maybe something from you - like a manicure/pedicure, $$ at a Spa, a gift card to a store she shops at a lot for herself ... good luck to your son and his first day at "school" (how exciting!!!)

Hi S.,

I am a childcare provider that had this same situation just this week! Know that when we have cared for a child for that long, that it just breaks our hearts to say goodbye.

I received from this family three things. 1. a Willowtree figurine called Encircled with Love. I absolutely love it. 2. a planter painted by the children with the words "thank you for helping us grow" and 3. a handwritten card from their mother with a bunch of grapes on the front. It said "thanks a bunch" and on each grape, there was a special word or phrase on it, something that applied to my time with her children. For example, I make goulosh (which the girls love) so that was written on one. On another, love, walks, tootie ta (a song we sing), squeeze (what we call hugs), etc. That card means more to me than she will ever know. I had a glimpse into what things she thought were important that I brought to her children's lives. It made me cry.

I hope this helps.

C.

We just went through the same thing a few weeks ago. I gave the provider a card with a note saying how much we appreciated the love and care she gave our family. I also included a $50 gift card to a local restaurant. My daughter brought her a bunch of pretty flowers on her last day. She really appreciated the gifts and we were sad to be leaving her care.

I can't exactly speak from experience, but my SIL is a daycare provider. I know that she has mentioned how hard it is to never see or hear from some of the families that she thought were "so close" to her. Maybe you could give her a small album (with some pages incomplete) and let her know that you'll send pictures for her to fill it up as your son grows. You could send her an "anniversary" card each year as this day approaches.

That is very nice of you to think of her. Too bad he couldn't stay there the last year before kindergarten. Many home daycares do preschool programs, so the need for a "preschool" isn't always there.

Anways, a picture of him and her, made by him. If you have any photos of him and her or him at her dc would be nice, framed - you could get a plain frame and have him decorate it. A hand written card from you, letting her know how you have felt about her and her care. A GC to her favorite store, restaurant, etc. A spa GC, if she is the kind to enjoy that. A GC to a school supply store - like Lakeshore Learning. No matter what the physical gift is, it will be the personal words, pictures, hugs, thank yous that she will remember forever.

S.
mom of 3 and daycare provider

I like Julie G idea. Way to go!!