how much do you gift your in-home daycare provider?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wow, could you guys paying $200-something a week tell me where the heck you found in-home daycares for that rate? The absolute cheapest I found in our area was $300 a week, most closer to $350!!!

Which made me think a half-weeks pay is about all we can do.

I toured 10 in homes in Falls Church and Arlington. The lower rate places mostly had a reason it was low. Cramped one room basement in a townhouse or the provider herself had the I don't care attitude and there was a huge TV in the background. One place in Falls Church quoted 200 which was the lowest but I almost ran out of there. I ended up at a 350 a week place. But price doesn't necessarily reflect quality. Like real estate, Arlington was generally pricier than Falls Church. But there was an Arlington apartment that was so dingy and dark and dirty and depressing I wondered how they even got licensed. They were 330 or was it 350.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am going to give her a bag of cookies, a card made by my oldest and $100 GC. I usually get an Amex or Visa GC. I just don't like giving cash. I will probably get her a little something like a scarf too.

Just do cash. $100? The fee uses up 5%. Gift cards don't get used all up and are not as appreciated as CASH.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wow, could you guys paying $200-something a week tell me where the heck you found in-home daycares for that rate? The absolute cheapest I found in our area was $300 a week, most closer to $350!!!

Which made me think a half-weeks pay is about all we can do.

I toured 10 in homes in Falls Church and Arlington. The lower rate places mostly had a reason it was low. Cramped one room basement in a townhouse or the provider herself had the I don't care attitude and there was a huge TV in the background. One place in Falls Church quoted 200 which was the lowest but I almost ran out of there. I ended up at a 350 a week place. But price doesn't necessarily reflect quality. Like real estate, Arlington was generally pricier than Falls Church. But there was an Arlington apartment that was so dingy and dark and dirty and depressing I wondered how they even got licensed. They were 330 or was it 350.

You were probably only looking in North Arlington. Ours in South Arlington is in a house with a big yard and a nice playroom space for under $300/week and its only 10 minutes from my North Arlington home.

[Anonymous]

Last year ( our first year with this provider) we gave a $100 Visa card and a small gift. We pay $150 a week.

[Anonymous]

These are all great. Gift card, cash or gift - it will be appreciated.

[Anonymous]

On the flip side, as a Daycare Provider myself, I would be happy with a gift card or cash. I wouldnt expect anyone to give me the full weeks pay. $100 would be nice. The parents I deal with do not have a lot of money (some are on the county / subsidy program) so most of my gifts have been in little gifts.

I would say THE worse gift I received was from a family who gave me a bottle of wine (I do not drink), chocolates and candy that were hard as a rock. and a picture christmas card of the family/kids.

Now dont get me wrong, anything is appreciated, however find out some more about your provider (she'd been with me a full year at that point) before giving something they have no use for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On the flip side, as a Daycare Provider myself, I would be happy with a gift card or cash. I wouldnt expect anyone to give me the full weeks pay. $100 would be nice. The parents I deal with do not have a lot of money (some are on the county / subsidy program) so most of my gifts have been in little gifts.

I would say THE worse gift I received was from a family who gave me a bottle of wine (I do not drink), chocolates and candy that were hard as a rock. and a picture christmas card of the family/kids.

Now dont get me wrong, anything is appreciated, however find out some more about your provider (she'd been with me a full year at that point) before giving something they have no use for.

You didn't appreciate a photo card of the kids you take care of? I'm glad you're not my child care provider.

[Anonymous]

$25 assistants, $50 main, $100 owner.