I agree with the others. You have to change your mindset.
It isn't about the appreciation of the parents, it is about the relationship you build with the kids.
Sometimes in spite of the parents.
In 25 years, a kid you may or may not remember might call your name in the grocery store, well up in tears and tell you how much they missed you and still thought about you.
Your family comes first.
Daycare kids second.
Their parents last.
The primary daycare relationship is you and the kid. Keep that front and center and let the rest go by the wayside. Mom's
can't appreciate you the way you want. They can't. They are fighting the biological urge to resent you "taking their place" or "one upping them", whether or not they realize it. Dad's cant make a big show of how much they appreciate you either without risking hurting the mothers feelings. They may or may not appreciate it later...