"Debate" on right holiday gift amount

[Anonymous]

Ours is a small daycare center and we give one week's tuition split among all the caregivers. This is coordinated among all the parents and given as one lump sum to each caregiver. If we didn't do it this way, I would divide the one week amount equally among the teachers who my child has had this year (which spans two groups).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford it? Seriously, these are the women who take care of your children all day long.

I've been at child care centers where we've been asked to contribute a week's tuition (100% participation).
I have been the room parent and asked for $125 per family (9 families, 5 teachers = $200/teacher).

A week's tuition is significant. No way. These people do take care of children all day long and they are paid to do so. A gift yes, but $500 gift? No.

[Anonymous]

I did $50 gift cards for each of my kid's three daycare teachers last year and $25 each for three floaters. I'm not made of money (single mom) but figured my toddler is a handful and they have a tough job. It was worth the sacrifice to me. That said, if that much money is a stretch, I'm sure a lesser amount would still be deeply appreciated.

[Anonymous]

In our daycare, each parent gives a certain amount of cash per enrolled child (around $400, but you can donate whatever amount), which is then split among all of the teachers. Last year it worked out to around $500 for each teacher.

I really like this method and wish other schools would do it as well. I am more than happy to contribute to a year-end bonus and certainly understand how hard it is to have a low paying job during the holidays, and how helpful that cash can be to them. I think when this method is not used, the floaters often get left out or receive very little, and some of the floaters at my center are my and my child's favorites, plus I doubt they are paid as much as the regular teachers to begin with.

[Anonymous]

It seems like many people give cash in the amount of one week's tuition split among teachers. That's very helpful. What about the director? Does she/he get a gift and is cash also appropriate?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In our daycare, each parent gives a certain amount of cash per enrolled child (around $400, but you can donate whatever amount), which is then split among all of the teachers. Last year it worked out to around $500 for each teacher.

I really like this method and wish other schools would do it as well. I am more than happy to contribute to a year-end bonus and certainly understand how hard it is to have a low paying job during the holidays, and how helpful that cash can be to them. I think when this method is not used, the floaters often get left out or receive very little, and some of the floaters at my center are my and my child's favorites, plus I doubt they are paid as much as the regular teachers to begin with.

I agree with this. I would not be able to give $400, but I would very much appreciate knowing that all the teachers/floaters/etc were being accounted for. I always try to give the front desk and cook a small gift, but by the time you end up adding all the teachers together it works out to be 7-8 people, and that does not account for teachers we had earlier in the year, etc.

That being said, our school also hits us up for birthdays and teacher appreciation. This isn't the only gifting opportunity.

[Anonymous]

We give one week's pay to head teacher and about $75 each to the 2 assistants. Plus a small gift. Last year an ornament, this year a box of chocolates.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DH really wants to give $50 each to DC's two primary daycare teachers. I think $30 is plenty, plus $15 for the 2-3 "floaters" who substitute when the primary teacher is gone. What are other folks giving? Am I a total cheapskate?? $50 seems like a lot of money and is more than I'm spending on some of my family members!

Let's see.
Since Sept., that would be 4 months * 4 weeks * 5 days = 80 +/- week days.

So, the $50 amounts to about $0.63 per day.
Not really THAT much.

Do your family members take care of your child 5 days a week? Thought not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We give one week's pay to head teacher and about $75 each to the 2 assistants. Plus a small gift. Last year an ornament, this year a box of chocolates.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you afford it? Seriously, these are the women who take care of your children all day long.

I've been at child care centers where we've been asked to contribute a week's tuition (100% participation).
I have been the room parent and asked for $125 per family (9 families, 5 teachers = $200/teacher).

A week's tuition is significant. No way. These people do take care of children all day long and they are paid to do so. A gift yes, but $500 gift? No.

The $500 gift is not for one teacher. Contributions from all families were pooled across the entire center and divided equally for the teachers and floaters (very small, only about 10 total staff, IIRC). It is just a suggestion. If you can't afford it, then give what you can of course. But if you can afford but think it's just "too much" then that's what I'm calling out. These women take care of your kids all day long and while they are paid, it is minimum wage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We give one week's pay to head teacher and about $75 each to the 2 assistants. Plus a small gift. Last year an ornament, this year a box of chocolates.

+1

We always give assistants and leads the same, and we give directly. I don't see the logic in giving assistants less--they are in the class all day long just like the leads (floaters are different). We give $100 per teacher.

[Anonymous]

I contribute $10 to the Holiday Collection for each teacher and aide and janitor in my child's preschool.

This amounts to a significant sum for us. It's wonderful that others give more, but I'm not in favor of going overboard for such gifts, regardless of whether people can afford it or not.

I AM in favor of decent salaries, which is why I don't begrudge paying the earth for this Montessori preschool.

[Anonymous]

I'm a director and do not want/expect gifts. I'd much rather they be given to the employees, though in my case (very special circumstances) we have a no-gift policy.

For my own children's provider (home day care) we are by no means wealthy but give the owner 500 and the assistant 100 or so. They work very hard for long hours and provide me with peace of mind on a daily basis. They also charge very reasonable rates and helped us out when I gave birth to my second by keeping my daughter for longer hours. My husband is super cheap but insists on this little "bonus". We definitely feel the pinch, but just look at it as a fixed expense for the next few years.

[Anonymous]

We have one child in an in-home daycare. We give the main caregiver (the owner) and the two assistants $100 each. This comes to a total of a week's worth of payments. They also get two weeks of paid vacation at Christmas, so I feel like this is generous enough. I had to argue with my husband over it last year, too, but he eventually came around when I emphasized how IMPORTANT these wonderful ladies are to our family.

[Anonymous]

Even though I am a director, I get paid a salary too. I work very long hours, both at the center and at home. I do appreciate a small gift like a Starbucks card or chocolates. It makes me feel like people care about me.