Are we supposed to give gifts/thank you notes to daycare teachers?

[Anonymous]

We just started DD in a Bright Horizons in downtown ... I've just started noticing little thinkgs, like parents giving cards to the administrators, and thank you notes on the doorway of DD's classroom. Are we supposed to do this? In what instances would it be a good idea to do this?

[Anonymous]

Did they just appear? Or have they been there? The reason I ask is that it was Teacher Appreciation Week the first week of May, and at my son's day care at least, some of those thank yous are still hanging up.

In general though: I give a card and gift (usually a gift card) around Christmas to the teachers and floaters who help out in my son's room each year, telling them how much I appreciate their caring for my son and how happy he is there. Since we also have a teacher appreciation week in May, I participate in any fund raisers/card making/gift purchasing that goes on then, too. Those are usually collective gifts, like a larger gift card, or a luncheon provided. I also take that opportunity to thank teachers (with cards) from his younger classes, because they still interact with my son and he loves going to see several of them at the end of the day to say a few words and wave bye.

Since I do something twice a year, I've pretty much shown personal appreciation to all of my son's teachers at some point. If he were to transition to another class based on age (or whatever), and I had not recently given a little gift or thank you note, I would do so at the end of his time in a particular classroom.

One of DC's teachers just left for another position, and I just gave her a little gift and thank you note.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they just appear? Or have they been there? The reason I ask is that it was Teacher Appreciation Week the first week of May, and at my son's day care at least, some of those thank yous are still hanging up.

In general though: I give a card and gift (usually a gift card) around Christmas to the teachers and floaters who help out in my son's room each year, telling them how much I appreciate their caring for my son and how happy he is there. Since we also have a teacher appreciation week in May, I participate in any fund raisers/card making/gift purchasing that goes on then, too. Those are usually collective gifts, like a larger gift card, or a luncheon provided. I also take that opportunity to thank teachers (with cards) from his younger classes, because they still interact with my son and he loves going to see several of them at the end of the day to say a few words and wave bye.

Since I do something twice a year, I've pretty much shown personal appreciation to all of my son's teachers at some point. If he were to transition to another class based on age (or whatever), and I had not recently given a little gift or thank you note, I would do so at the end of his time in a particular classroom.

One of DC's teachers just left for another position, and I just gave her a little gift and thank you note.

Oh, I meant to add, that may be what's happening now at your day care, since it's the end of the school year.

[Anonymous]

We give cards and a gift at the holidays as do most parents. Our older DD will be "graduating" this year and we will give cards and gifts to her teachers. Teacher appreciation day is not really recognized at our daycare. When a child has left or moves out of a room it is common to give cards/gifts. Those transitions have always come near the holidays for us so we usually take care of the old room teachers and the new room teachers both at the holidays. I have a friend that has transitions during spring/summer and she gives gifts when leaving a classroom and then gives only to the current teachers during the holidays.

[Anonymous]

All the parents contribute to a holiday fund in December at our daycare and then the teachers get a nice bonus that is split up. We also have tried to write thank you notes whenever one of our children moves to the next classroom. Rather than give individual gifts, some people at our daycare give a "classroom gift" when their child moves out of a room -- something it seemed the classroom could use and the teachers would appreciate (a new rocking chair, a clock for the wall, bean bags, new microwave, etc).

[Anonymous]

for those who give gift cards - how much? i feel weird just giving a random gift card but I don't want to get food and I don't know enough about them personally to get a more individualized gift -argh!

[Anonymous]

We usually give $25-30 for all the classroom teachers and $50 to our child's "primary" teacher. Once they're in the older classes and there are only 2 or 3 teachers, we give $50. We give at holidays, when our child leaves a classroom, and when a teacher leaves the center. We also try to do little things throughout the year (bring in cookies for a random holiday like Valentine's day, etc.). We brought flowers on teacher appreciation day. It's definitely expensive, but these teachers do so much for our kids and make so little money that I think of it as part of our tuition. Still way less than having a nanny. I always give Target gift cards, which seem to be well-received.

[Anonymous]

Yes,Yes, Yes and yes again! We are caring for your most prized possession at low pay and long hours! We could sure use a little appreciation!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes,Yes, Yes and yes again! We are caring for your most prized possession at low pay and long hours! We could sure use a little appreciation!

I meant that with a smile! It does not have to be alot! Every little bit helps and shows you appreciate the care. I always loved chocolates too, as a gift. Flowers also show appreciation. Teachers know we are all on a budget. It's the thought that counts!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes,Yes, Yes and yes again! We are caring for your most prized possession at low pay and long hours! We could sure use a little appreciation!

I meant that with a smile! It does not have to be alot! Every little bit helps and shows you appreciate the care. I always loved chocolates too, as a gift. Flowers also show appreciation. Teachers know we are all on a budget. It's the thought that counts!

This is at the holidays and at the end of the class year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Did they just appear? Or have they been there? The reason I ask is that it was Teacher Appreciation Week the first week of May, and at my son's day care at least, some of those thank yous are still hanging up.

They are still up at our BH also. Call me cynical but I thought the whole Teacher Appreciation thing was bs. Since the notes were for public posting (at least at my BH) I didn't want to write one for fear my comments would be used for marketing purposes. I think this because we were encouraged to submit the comments online. They could then be used by corporate hq for whatever out-of-context purpose. I give generously at Xmas and transition times but the May thing was a request for gifts, etc was too much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Did they just appear? Or have they been there? The reason I ask is that it was Teacher Appreciation Week the first week of May, and at my son's day care at least, some of those thank yous are still hanging up.

They are still up at our BH also. Call me cynical but I thought the whole Teacher Appreciation thing was bs. Since the notes were for public posting (at least at my BH) I didn't want to write one for fear my comments would be used for marketing purposes. I think this because we were encouraged to submit the comments online. They could then be used by corporate hq for whatever out-of-context purpose. I give generously at Xmas and transition times but the May thing was a request for gifts, etc was too much.

I feel exactly the same way. We happily gave donations to our child's teacher but would never comment on the on-line message board.