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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>Daycare Xmas Gift?!
kelliott 12:25 PM 12-22-2013
i love love love my DCP and her husband!!... they have been nothing but supportive as a daycare and friends.. my son has been with her for 7 months and is always so happy going there and when i pick him up... on holidays that they plan on closing for they always extend the offer of watching just my son(i get FEW holidays off :/) me and my son's dad have been going thru custody/court battles for a few months and she has been great.. i had a job interview an hour out of town and without hesitation she let me drop him off an hour early and pick him up 2 hours late!!... it's Xmas and i want to get her and her husband a joint gift to show i appreciate them! needing ideas.. i got them a 2lb box of See's Candy and i'm thing a starbucks giftcard along with some general daycare supplies for projects..? what are some things you would like to get or have received that you were super happy about from a parent??
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nannyde 12:36 PM 12-22-2013
Cash

Just plain cash.
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Lyss 12:58 PM 12-22-2013
The candy is a great idea, sounds yummy! I agree with nan that cash is great, plus if your wanting to do something nice for her and her husband I'd avoid the daycare supplies as it really just seem like a gift for your child if that make sense (IMO anyway). If you prefer a gift card maybe enough for date night for her and her husband somewhere nice? or dinner and a movie?
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JoseyJo 01:22 PM 12-22-2013
My dc parents usually do a week's tuition
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kelliott 01:23 PM 12-22-2013
ya.. i was just thinking daycare supplies cuz in her newsletters she always requests it.. but the dinner/date idea i like!! they need... and, DESERVE that! LOL
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kelliott 01:26 PM 12-22-2013
maybe i'll do a visa gift card.. they can use it anywhere.. and i wish there was a way to give them more but i just can't this year.. i only bought my son 3 gifts this year :/(thank God for grandparents!!) but atleast $50 might show them i appreciate them.. hopefully
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Angelsj 05:17 PM 12-22-2013
I run a daycare and an animal rescue center. My favorite gift from the DCP included coffee cups (for me and hubby) and a coffee flavor, a game aimed at my two teens left at home, some Christmas candy in a cute jar, and treats for the kitties.
None of it was expensive, but it was so thoughtful, and included everyone.
A gift card to a local restaurant is nice too, or a movie theater. Both great ideas. Cash is nice, but I love when they think ahead and get something meaningful.
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Laurel 05:20 PM 12-22-2013
Originally Posted by kelliott:
i love love love my DCP and her husband!!... they have been nothing but supportive as a daycare and friends.. my son has been with her for 7 months and is always so happy going there and when i pick him up... on holidays that they plan on closing for they always extend the offer of watching just my son(i get FEW holidays off :/) me and my son's dad have been going thru custody/court battles for a few months and she has been great.. i had a job interview an hour out of town and without hesitation she let me drop him off an hour early and pick him up 2 hours late!!... it's Xmas and i want to get her and her husband a joint gift to show i appreciate them! needing ideas.. i got them a 2lb box of See's Candy and i'm thing a starbucks giftcard along with some general daycare supplies for projects..? what are some things you would like to get or have received that you were super happy about from a parent??
Cash is my favorite but, to me, a nice handwritten letter tucked in a card telling her specifically what you like about her and her daycare would be soooo nice.

I have two daycare families and I went on a week's vacation on my first cruise earlier this month. Both of them made a comment about how I really deserved something so nice. Before that though, I figured they appreciated me but unless one hears it or reads it do they really know? A sincere compliment is the best!!!

Laurel
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MotherNature 05:40 PM 12-22-2013
$50 sounds great to me...I got some cookies I can't eat b/c I'm gluten intolerant/ Nice they thought of me, but yeah....not so much.
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Lucy 07:03 PM 12-22-2013
I would not like to receive cash. It would make me uncomfortable. I'd much rather get a nice gift than to get cash. But I'm weird that way. Getting a week's pay of about $150 just seems like entirely tooooo much to me. Just my opinion. A $50 Visa card would be the same. I'd feel like it was too much. Plus, it's just impersonal. I'd rather they pay attention to something I like, and go out and get that (such as the Keurig cups mentioned below - she had to have remembered a conversation we had one time). That would honestly mean more to me. They had to think about it ahead of time, watch and listen for something I would like, and take the time to go and get it.

Nice gifts I've gotten have been:

Large coffee mug with Keurig cups, and a nice plate (to keep) with homemade goodies on it. (She went all out and made some really great quality recipes. There were like 5 different kinds of things on the plate. Yum.)

Gift cards - one to a nice restaurant, and one to a movie theater nearby.

Bottle of champagne with 2 beautiful flutes.

A variety of scrapbook supplies.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't come up with them right now. It's just my opinion, and I tend to have different opinions than others on this forum

I just don't see CASH as giving the message you want it to. And as I said, I'd feel awkward receiving it. I would then always have a feeling of indebtedness. I need therapy.
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JoseyJo 07:05 PM 12-22-2013
Originally Posted by Lucy:
I would not like to receive cash. It would make me uncomfortable. I'd much rather get a nice gift than to get cash. But I'm weird that way. Getting a week's pay of about $150 just seems like entirely tooooo much to me. Just my opinion. A $50 Visa card would be the same. I'd feel like it was too much. Plus, it's just impersonal. I'd rather they pay attention to something I like, and go out and get that (such as the Keurig cups mentioned below - she had to have remembered a conversation we had one time). That would honestly mean more to me. They had to think about it ahead of time, watch and listen for something I would like, and take the time to go and get it.

Nice gifts I've gotten have been:

Large coffee mug with Keurig cups, and a nice plate (to keep) with homemade goodies on it. (She went all out and made some really great quality recipes. There were like 5 different kinds of things on the plate. Yum.)

Gift cards - one to a nice restaurant, and one to a movie theater nearby.

Bottle of champagne with 2 beautiful flutes.

A variety of scrapbook supplies.

I'm sure there's more, but I can't come up with them right now. It's just my opinion, and I tend to have different opinions than others on this forum

I just don't see CASH as giving the message you want it to. And as I said, I'd feel awkward receiving it. I would then always have a feeling of indebtedness. I need therapy.
LOL! One of my dc parents gave us $500 last year!! Gotta love those parents
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Lucy 07:10 PM 12-22-2013
Originally Posted by JoseyJo:
LOL! One of my dc parents gave us $500 last year!! Gotta love those parents
I would wonder why. I would probably SAY, "Why???!!!???"

To me, it would make it seem like I have to treat them differently. Like subconsciously I'd be like "oh, they're the ones who give me tons of cash as a bonus, so I better be good to them."

I don't know.... way too awkward. Like it's brown-nosing or expecting things from you because of it. As I mentioned above, I'd have an overwhelming feeling of indebtedness to them. I wouldn't know how to handle it. If it was their last day, sure. To show me appreciation for the years of great care for their kid, and they gave me a big amount of money, that would be fine. But not for Christmas while they're still a client. It's just too awkward.

I really do need therapy.
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Lyss 08:33 PM 12-22-2013
I think the $50 gift card is great! That's awesome of you to do that, I'm sure her and her husband will appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Lucy:
I would wonder why. I would probably SAY, "Why???!!!???"

To me, it would make it seem like I have to treat them differently. Like subconsciously I'd be like "oh, they're the ones who give me tons of cash as a bonus, so I better be good to them."

I don't know.... way too awkward. Like it's brown-nosing or expecting things from you because of it. As I mentioned above, I'd have an overwhelming feeling of indebtedness to them. I wouldn't know how to handle it. If it was their last day, sure. To show me appreciation for the years of great care for their kid, and they gave me a big amount of money, that would be fine. But not for Christmas while they're still a client. It's just too awkward.

I really do need therapy.
I'd take it as it's because you are so great to them already not because you need to be better.

I got $200 this year from one family. I don't feel that they are brown nosing or that I need to go out of my way to treat them better than anyone else. DCM said she'd rather spend her money "showing appreciation for all the hard work I do everyday rather than blow it on something material they don't really need." I'd never turn them down, it's their money to disperse how they see fit and I DO work hard.

There's such a stigma in this whole career when it comes to money so I won't be surprised if more providers felt this way. We're not suppose to do it for the money, we're not supposed to charge very much, we're not supposed to accept bonuses or we're uncaring. I work harder at this job than I did my corporate job and get paid WAY less plus there we got $500-800 Christmas bonuses that no one felt guilty taking.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 10:11 PM 12-22-2013
Originally Posted by JoseyJo:
My dc parents usually do a week's tuition
How thoughtful!
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nannyde 02:30 AM 12-23-2013
Originally Posted by Lucy:
I would wonder why. I would probably SAY, "Why???!!!???"

To me, it would make it seem like I have to treat them differently. Like subconsciously I'd be like "oh, they're the ones who give me tons of cash as a bonus, so I better be good to them."

I don't know.... way too awkward. Like it's brown-nosing or expecting things from you because of it. As I mentioned above, I'd have an overwhelming feeling of indebtedness to them. I wouldn't know how to handle it. If it was their last day, sure. To show me appreciation for the years of great care for their kid, and they gave me a big amount of money, that would be fine. But not for Christmas while they're still a client. It's just too awkward.

I really do need therapy.
I get full week bonuses all the time and two weeks if the family has been with me for a few years. I've never felt an obligation to bend rules because of it. I've never felt indebtedness.

The bonus is for what you HAVE done not what you are GOING to do.

I work hard.
I don't miss work.
I'm on time ready to go every day.
I take excellent care of their baby. I strive for precision care... perfect care.
I'm respectful to the parents. I know my place.
I'm extremely grateful for their business.

and for an extra bonus... I love their kid. A lot.

So that's "why".
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pandamom 03:29 AM 12-23-2013
oooo! See's candies (drooling). I'd do a general gift card like Walmart, Target or Visa so she can choose to spend the money on daycare stuff or herself or a mixture. That's is very kind of you.

One of my kids parents gave me and the other caregivers in my room a $25 Visa gift card and I used it to get some nice steaks for our Christmas dinner

I always appreciate a nice little note too
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Scout 04:05 AM 12-23-2013
Friday, I got a text from a dcm that she was sorry sbe isnt good at buying for adults and only gave me money. I was like, what are you talking about and she said to look at my check. She gave me 1/2 weeks tuition and I felt so appreciated I cried! I thought it was wonderful surprise but, not expected or needed because she is always telling us how much she loves us and THAT is the best gift to get from a dcp! They will be haply whatever you get them.
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itlw8 08:28 AM 12-23-2013
Paper I had a mom bring in a case of printer paper the kids LOVE to paint and color. but yes dinner out is great . I had a mom give me a weeks pay and then was a bit preturbed I spent most of it on the childcare. I said yes but it made my life easier and we did
also go out to eat.
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Leanna 08:53 AM 12-23-2013
I agree that a heartfelt note or card is an awesome way to show your appreciation. These are the things that keep me going, inspire me, and remind me why I do what I do.
Anything on top of that is gravy is my opinion!
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Happily_wed 08:56 AM 12-23-2013
I think the 50.00 Visa card would be nice along with a note telling her why you are giving it to them(that you hope they will go out for a date night). Make sure to mention how much you appreciate them and how much easier it makes your life when she is willing to open early, work late,etc.

One of my favorite gifts from a daycare family is a Willow Tree figurine. It is the Thank You one. I also love a mason jar tart burner that my current family got me one year.
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Shell 09:20 AM 12-23-2013
[quote=Lyss;4201

There's such a stigma in this whole career when it comes to money so I won't be surprised if more providers felt this way. We're not suppose to do it for the money, we're not supposed to charge very much, we're not supposed to accept bonuses or we're uncaring. I work harder at this job than I did my corporate job and get paid WAY less plus there we got $500-800 Christmas bonuses that no one felt guilty taking.[/QUOTE]

Exactly!
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My3cents 11:20 AM 12-23-2013
[quote=Lucy;420095]I would wonder why. I would probably SAY, "Why???!!!???"

To me, it would make it seem like I have to treat them differently. Like subconsciously I'd be like "oh, they're the ones who give me tons of cash as a bonus, so I better be good to them."

I don't know.... way too awkward. Like it's brown-nosing or expecting things from you because of it. As I mentioned above, I'd have an overwhelming feeling of indebtedness to them. I wouldn't know how to handle it. If it was their last day, sure. To show me appreciations

If someone can do that they do it because they want to do it. Say thank you and move on. Heck yes I would be good to them, I am good to all my families.

You don't need therapy, your just looking at things from a different point of view a kind one and heart felt. Saying Thank you would be the same
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My3cents 11:22 AM 12-23-2013
Originally Posted by nannyde:
I get full week bonuses all the time and two weeks if the family has been with me for a few years. I've never felt an obligation to bend rules because of it. I've never felt indebtedness.

The bonus is for what you HAVE done not what you are GOING to do.

I work hard.
I don't miss work.
I'm on time ready to go every day.
I take excellent care of their baby. I strive for precision care... perfect care.
I'm respectful to the parents. I know my place.
I'm extremely grateful for their business.

and for an extra bonus... I love their kid. A lot.

So that's "why".
and if I don't get the bonus I am still all the above
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lovemykidstoo 11:24 AM 12-23-2013
Special candy and a $50 gift card or cash is plenty and I'm sure will be appreciated. Also, if your daycare provider requests supplies from time to time, then craft supplies would be great too.

I have 5 families right now. Two gave me cash, one got me a Meijer gift card for $100, one brought me an infinity scarf, a $25 gift card to target and an ornament and one is picking up today and dcb said she is bringing a present (he's bad at surprises LOL). All of which I love. I will have to say that I like the cash the best because then I can determine what to do with it. For instance this year the cash presents are going to a separate account because we want to go on a spring trip next year.
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tntsmom 11:26 AM 12-23-2013
A thank you and a spa day!
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SSWonders 11:35 AM 12-23-2013
The most meaningful gift that I've gotten this year is a jar of gumballs. Yes, gumballs. One of my dcp really paid attention when I was talking about gumballs one day and how much I LOVE them. I am a gumball junkie! Those are the things that mean the most to me.
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Lucy 01:41 PM 12-23-2013
Originally Posted by nannyde:
I get full week bonuses all the time and two weeks if the family has been with me for a few years. I've never felt an obligation to bend rules because of it. I've never felt indebtedness.

The bonus is for what you HAVE done not what you are GOING to do.

I work hard.
I don't miss work.
I'm on time ready to go every day.
I take excellent care of their baby. I strive for precision care... perfect care.
I'm respectful to the parents. I know my place.
I'm extremely grateful for their business.

and for an extra bonus... I love their kid. A lot.

So that's "why".
I wasn't trying to change anyone's mind though. It's the way I feel about receiving gifts in general. And to ME, a well thought out and personalized gift conveys their gratitude the best.
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