Is there something that a dcp has done for you out of the goodness of their heart? I'm just wondering because I see so many negative experiences on the forum (mine included) and I'd like to know if any of you have one of those fantastic dcps that we all dream of.

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I have one family that I adore the 1 year old. I termed he SA kid due to his behavior. This family doesn't have much money. On good Friday, they showed up to pick up DCG and brought all 4 of my kids an Easter basket each. they had candy and toys in them and they did it just because.

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I have one family that I nannied for before opening my daycare. Once I opened, they kept bringing DCB to me but planned on leaving once DCM went on maternity leave because its a 30 min drive one way from their house to mine and they work right by their house (so a total of 2 hours a day in drop offs and pick ups).
Well after interviewing many people, they said I spoiled them because they couldnt find anywhere they liked to take this children to. So they are back with me!! They are overall a great family and I hope my husband and myself can be like them when we grow up ( they are about 10 years older than us).
oh! and dont get me started on christmas Lets just say it was good!

All my parents right now are really great! I don't have any issues with any of them. They are very thoughtful, thank me all the time and talk about how we are a team!

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I had a family pay me more each year even if I didn't ask for it. They just added more and told me what they were doing

Kelly

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My very first dcf (and still current) gave me a raise voluntarily! And this same family gave me a very unexpected, but very appreciative bonus for Christmas my first year (only had their kids for 3 months) and then last year I asked for the week of Christmas off, they paid me for the full week as my Christmas gift!

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I have had MANY wonderful families over the years!!!

I have a family now who truly loves the crafts we do and will repeatedly thank me for them. They send me texts of thanks for all the little things I do that are "just part of my job" and that is probably the best gift of all. I have had parents who bring me chocolates and cookies and gifts just because. I had a parent one time ask if they could have a pizza delivered at lunch time for me and the kids. They just wanted to make my day a little easier! I have parents who have been very generous with holiday gifts as well. And then I also have had the parents who just pay on time without question, who pick up on time each day or early whenever they can, and some who just say "thank you" every day when they leave.

Sometimes I have to step away from the boards because every little thing parents do will start to bug me when I spend too much time reading everyones complaints (and I complain too so its not that I'm saying not to, just gets in my head if I read too much of it, LOL).

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I'd have to say that all my families are golden families.

They all pay on time, follow my rules and policies and spread the word about my program for me.

I haven't had an open space in over 3 years and actually have a pretty lengthy wait list....ALL from word of mouth and previous/current family recommendations.

I am eternally grateful that I have such awesome families but for any newbies out there....don't get discouraged; it took me years to find that perfect balance!

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All my parents pay on time and follow my contract, BUT I only have 2 that I can say are, what I consider, totally on board with my program 100%. I feel the others have checked around and feel I have a quality program, but I am not sure if they are on board due to my stringent 52 weeks pay a year...however, as long as they pay and follow the rules I can deal with it!

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One of mine brought us chicken noodle soup, popsicles, etc when we were down and out with the WORST stomach virus EVER, plus a super sweet note and $20 for Christmas (AND gifts for my own two kids).

Another brings me essential oils a lot to help out with various gripes and illeness in my own kids (and those aren't cheap!)

Another has given me TONS of clothes for my own two plus as spares for daycare.


Nothing that is out of the way crazy generous but all very thoughtful and kind!

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My teacher family is great to work with! They are kind, pick up early, keep home days mom does not work, takes off extra grandma days, never breaks a policy, brought in a baby gift, bday gift, and organized w other parents to give teacher appreciation gifts. She rocks!

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After reading stories of DP's whose DCP's will leave their children with them while they're having all sorts of illness issues, I'm appreciating my DCP's more. They won't even bring their 3 year-old in if she's having allergy problems, because they don't want me to have to deal with it.

Very thoughtful.

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this past year a dcf of mine donated a very large amount of money to my Niece's foundation for brain cancer. At that time she was still alive and we thougt she would have a chance. they knew how close I was to her and this is what they did for part of my christmas gift. the other part they gave me a gift cert for $100.00 towards a plane ticket to go see her. I cried my eyes out...

when she passed, they brought me a nice huge plant and handed me another check for her foundation.

hands down the most thoughtful thing any family has done for me.

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I have one dcf who doesn't shower me with gifts etc but anytime they can pick up early they do, as they know that allows me to be done w my day a little early. Better than gifts and they do it often

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One family occasionally brings me a Dunkin Donuts coffee, just because

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After I gave birth to my youngest DD, I came down with a horrible infection. I found out that I had to have surgery, just as I was coming off of maternity leave. Every one of my DCMs took turns taking days off of work and watching my entire daycare, so I could have an extra two weeks off. They were so awesome about it, and I loved hearing their stories about the experience, later--LOL!

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I have two dcm's who have brought me things out of the blue and/or for holidays. I don't expect it, but it is nice!

The one always gives me clothes for my ds and always thanks me at the end of the day.

One is always telling me how much her ds and the family like me and how they love my program.

Overall all of my families are great and I'm grateful that they found me, well except for 1 dcm, she's not horrible, but is nothing like the others. She does follow my policies most of the time though.

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I have REALLY great families. They bring me sodas or coffees just because. They leave me extra wipes, kleenex, clothes, and toys to share with everyone. They often gift me a week's pay during christmas. I've gotten flowers randomly. Lots of kind cards and words of encouragement and thanks. I've even had parents organize a collection between all the other dcps for end of the year gifts or Christmas gifts. Even collections for new playground equipment!

And they all pay and pick up on time!!

It hasn't always been this way, but I'm extremely blessed with the families I currently have.

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Over the years I've had mostly wonderful parents.

They have given me toys/equipment, etc. No hassles with the very little time I have to take off.

Mostly it seems negative here sometimes because we tend to vent here like any job.

Laurel

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Wow that is awesome!

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Most of my dcp's are pretty good. They pay on time and respect my working hours. I have one mom in particular who is awesome. She always picks up early, buys large gifts for the playroom (including our slide) regularly sends emails and gift cards to say thanks for looking after her little one. Sometimes she brings starbucks when she arrives at pick up. It's great to feel supported and appreciated!

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I have two really, really great families right now. They respect my business and they are open with concerns and questions. We have a wonderful business relationship and their children are just as super. That is all I ask for

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For the most part my families are fantastic. I have some issues but even th families that I vent about do things that make me want to keep them anyway.

My clients
- Understand and encourage me when my children or I become sick and make arrangements so that I can go or take my kids to the Dr.
- Pay for these days that I close when I'm sick or my kids are sick even though contractually they don't have to.
- Bring me supplies like snacks, milk, fruit, art supplies, etc. or donate clothing and/or toys regularly so that I can either use them or sell them for $ towards daycare.
- Ask if they need something instead of assuming that I'll be ok with it even though they know that I will be ok with it.
- Respect my family time and keep contact with me to a minimum on evenings and weekends or if they do contact me evening and weekends they are patient and willing to wait until I can get back to them.
- Communicate with me about their child and any issues they may have which makes things MUCH easier for me
- Some clients will come in and read a story to keep the children occupied which helps me out and I can wash the dishes, sweep the floor etc.
- Take the time to come in and talk about their careers and really get into it.

For the most part it isn't until you need help with something that people think to come on the forum and post about it.

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I have to admit that the main 3 I have now don't think twice about me or daycare once they walk out the door. It really doesn't offend me.

In the past......

When I had bc the first time, one of my daycare moms would take my girls to the mall or the movies over the weekend. She also cooked meals for my family while I was hospitalized. She also made a beautiful sweatshirt for me with all my dck's handprints so I could have them close to me while I was in the hospital.

When I had bc the second time, one of my moms took the day off and drove me to chemo and sat with me all day.

One of my teacher moms knew that having the summer off would hurt me fnancially, so she brought her kids 2 or 3 days a week at a higher rate so I almost made the same.

My PT mom never forgets a holiday. She brings me a gift card and candy for every single holiday from Valentines Day, St Patrick's Day, all through the year.

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one time a mom brought me a beautiful orchid plant on mothers day

this week a mom brought me a present for teacher appreciation week

for several years, several families gave generous monetary gifts for christmas

i normally get a christmas present from every family

i have had some great referrals from daycare families for new familes

i had one parent, who i had to term, come back to the house weeks later and thank me for doing the right thing, even though they didnt understand the decision at that time that one was a shocker! but appreciated!

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I have one. I get Chipotle almost every Friday, her day off and she does not drop off her child.

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Wow. So thoughtful and generous. Thanks for sharing.

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Holy cow! That's fantastic!

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Thank you all for sharing! I also have mostly great families. I closed once earlier this year, with only 2 hours notice, due to a serious stomach virus and was so afraid they would be angry. Instead, I got texts asking "what do you need? Gatorade? Soup? Can I drive you to the Dr?" It was so heart warming.

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I've been very lucky to have some really wonderful dc parents. Some have donated craft materials, toys, books and baby equipment as their kids have grown out of them. Some have downloaded kid's songs and given me copies of cds they've made. One dc family donated a like-new swing/slide/playhouse set that usually sells for well over $500. All I had to do was get my husband to transport it from their house to ours.

Several families have given me checks for Christmas that equal a week's pay in addition to a gift. One dcd hand made a beautiful wood cabinet and an end table for my living room in addition to several wooden shaker boxes. A few even bought my own kids Christmas gifts. One brought me smoothies for a week when I was recovering from a stomach bug. Another brought home made pies at Thanksgiving because she knew I had had extended family coming for the holiday. Several have recommended me to their friends or have acted as references for me.

When my father was diagnosed with a terminal illness, not only were all families very supportive and understanding of the time I needed to take off, but they brought plants and flowers and sent cards after he passed away. Several also showed up at his wake to support me and my family.

I'm sure I'm forgetting some things but these are the examples that stand out for me right now.

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This brought tears to my eyes. Just beautiful!

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I am super blessed and have amazing families.

I have a dcm that when my dd was diagnosed w a rare chromosome disorder, she got off early from work one day to pick up her dcg and to ask me how I'm doing. I hadnt told anyone about it & was still internally processing it and she said that she could see it that I needed to talk so she came to pick up and ask how I was doing & how can she help. She gave me a beautiful Mother's Day card that brought years to my eyes.

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I have a family who asked to pay more (um.. sure?!). She has also offered to bring me things when I'm sick, and volunteered her husband to help with our move this coming weekend.
Last month I had a little girl here for a temporary position (2.5 weeks, her family worked on a pipeline coming through the area). She repeatedly told me how I was making it hard for her to settle on the providers in her home state. On her last day, she brought a basket full of craft supplies. I just about cried.
So far I've had almost entirely really good experiences, even with the parents.

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I have a great group of clients right now, I know that they all respect me and my home. I don't have to worry about late payments or late pick ups etc. We have been smooth sailing for quite a while now.

I have one DCM that drops off first and picks up last, she has two DCGs here. I'm only open 8:15-5:15, she works 9-5, and her husband travels for work. It doesn't bother me at all that they use the whole day, and I understand why. However, one day she showed up with a beautiful flower arrangement from Whole Foods and had DCG 2.5 say "Happy Thank You Day" to me when I opened the door. It was completely out of the blue and so sweet. She told me she knows her kids are here the longest and she wanted to let me know she appreciated me and all the love and care I provide for her DDs.

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I really only have one family that gives me any trouble, the others are great and thoughtful. One dcm is great, and has given me two referrals so far. The next dcm was termed from their last dc because dcb was a screamer. Dcb does great here- fantastic actually. Dcm had an edible arrangement delivered to my house on my birthday, and whenever I post pictures on our daycare page, she always writes things like, "We are so lucky to have you"

But, I tell you, the one trouble family causes enough grief that it usually overshadows all the awesome ones. So, thanks for bringing up this thread

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We have two, one doesnt have alot of money, she brags all over about how quikly we potty trained, she always thanks us, comes on her day off to pay us despite telling her she doesnt have to, never asks for freebies and is on time often early. Then we have a mom who is nice to both but favors my daughter. She pays two weeks in advance, is never late, will pay even if her son doesnt come for a week and has asked for an overnight twice and paid double our rate for it. Shes also a tball coach and invited my grandson to play even though hes younger and she picks him and my daughter up and takes them. Then over the weekend she said she thought we needex a break and invited my grandson to spend the night with her son. Took them out to eat and to the park.

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That's exactly why I did. Because I have FANTASTIC families and then that one bad apple. And I have noticed in my own posts that I wrote about that dcm the most. When I realized that, it made me angry that her drama was overshadowing all the other great people I have here.

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One of my families cared for a foster child. It broke my heart when outta the blue the court gave the child back to the mother last week. (smh) The foster dad sent me a card written from the prospective of the child thanking me for taking care of her. It ending with, "You made me the best meals of my life, it's time for me to treat you to dinner. I love & miss you!" It had two gift cards for nice restaurants.

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I received an edible fruit arrangement from a daycare parent for Mother's Day a half hour ago!! Wow, in 20 years something like this has happened twice for Mother's Day. So sweet and healthy!

Laurel

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Cool!

I've never had one but I keep seeing the commercials for them and think they look fantastic!

Is it good?

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Awesome!
One of my dc parents gave me one for Christmas. ..boy are they yummy!

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I received a gorgeous hanging basket yesterday for teacher appreciation and today a beautiful bouquet of tulips from a dcf for Mother's Day.
How thoughtful!

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Over the years I have been blessed with both generous and bad parents. The best was probably the one that gave me a gift for every little holiday, Easter, Mother's Day, Grandparent's Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc..., $500 for Christmas, $200 for birthday, even "just cause" gifts like a set of 800 ct sheets for my bed when I moved into a new home. Took me on a vacation for 10 days once to Florida with them. When The children grew out of care after six years they gave me a $5000 severance check. We still talk and exchange birthday and Christmas cards, the youngest is 16 this year.

Wish I could get a few more families like that. Mostly I get State pay parents that I'm lucky if I get a "Thank You".

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Right now my families are fantastic!
Just today, got a bouquet of flowers from one family for Mother's Day/Teacher's Appreciation.
The beginning of this year was tough, but after weeding through the bad apples, I am happy again and can honestly say that I love what I do!
My families right now are good, kind hearted people, give to me, the children, and the child care regularly, follow the rules, and are so respectful and pleasant.

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Wow, what a generous family!!!

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So I'm trying to switch my mood from envy to gratitude
None of my current families have done a single thing for me on Mother's Day or Provider Appreciation Day/Week. I've had these families from 2-5 years now, and do not expect that to change. They do pay me on time, however, and are generally respectful of rules and times, etc. (Not this past week though - lots of late pick-ups, which may be influencing my mood.)

BUT.

Last year, one of my former families dropped by on Mother's Day morning. I was still in my robe but they trooped in with a huge beautiful hanging basket of flowers. It was gorgeous all summer long and I thought of them every day. They were always, always good to me.

AND.

For about fifteen years, one of my former families came every year on my birthday with a cake She said whenever she got on xx highway, her car just automatically came to my house. And she remembered my birthday because it was the same as her sister's.

SO.

I am trying to be grateful for the fact that my current families are almost always supportive, respectful, and that they are just nice people and good parents to their little ones. Even when they never thank me for anything

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My very first family gave me a card today, with $50 in it.

All my parents tell me thank you at drop off and pick up

One has offered to give me toys she is cleaning out at her house.

They are all very understanding of me closing a bit early for ball games the month of June.


I do complain about some of them but, all in all right now my families are great.

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I have had some real stinkers, but I have had some good ones too!

I had a family that paid a full weeks extra pay as a Christmas bonus.

We were remodeling the play area outside and a family gave us a gift card to cover the sand for our huge sand area.

I had surgery and a family brought us a homemade dinner.

When I was pregnant, a mom brought me my craving, chocolate covered pretzels. She even bought them from a specialty store totally out of her way!

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all my families are great but one is wonderful. They ask if they can pay extra for craft supplies they always say thank you. They brought us Christmas gifts and on my sons birthday they brought him a gift. They arrived Friday with a mothers day card with a gift card in it.

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