Do you really think $10/teacher is ok for a holiday gift?

[Anonymous]

Forgive me, but I just need to rant for a moment. My DD is in full-time daycare. All the parents in the class were invited to donate money to a fund that would then be divided up between the 3 class teachers and the center's floaters. Today, I was amazed to find out that the majority of parents gave less than $50 total. While I understand that these are tough economic times, the center is closed for the holidays so we all have a little extra cash this month. If we tip our newspaper carrier $10 or so, wouldn't these teachers, who care for our children 40+hours a week, be worth more?

[Anonymous]

I know we pay a lot for daycare each month, and I know times are tough for a lot of families, but I also know the teachers who care for our daughter don't make nearly as much as they should. I wouldn't feel right only tipping $10 per teacher.

[Anonymous]

I give between $25 (part-time) - $50 (for good teachers), but this year it will be $35 for the main teacher and $25 for the other teachers.

[Anonymous]

$35 per teacher here (a $15 gift and $20 bookstore giftcard). $5 per morning/afternoon drop off greeter.

[Anonymous]

$10 is pretty cheap. We tipped our painter more and he only worked for us for 2 weeks. I couldn't imagine only tipping our day care provider $10. $25-$50 is a decent tip if everyone followed, but some will give less, some more and some none at all.

[Anonymous]

I think it is way too low in a situation where your provider is watching your child 8 hours a day, 5 days a week. Once they get to be school age, I think a $10 gift is much more appropriate. However, I think that with what your daycare or full time preschool teachers mean to your family, they should be the ones you give the biggest tip / gift to all year.

[Anonymous]

Yes, I agree that $10 is a low amount and more than fair for parents to be asked to pay...

Just because the center is closed though, you are most likely still paying tuition for those days. At least it worked that way at our last 2 centers.

[Anonymous]

I give less than $10/teacher for part-time preschool, but since I volunteer my time there and show appreciation in other ways, I do not feel guilty at all!

It is not all about money.

[Anonymous]

I agree that $10 is very low. While times are tough and it may HONESTLY be all that a select few can afford, I'm sure the large majority could look at what they are actually spending money on and realize that there are a few luxuries they could cut back on. I posted on another thread that my DH and I skipped gifts for each other this year so we could put a little more towards cash gifts for our providers who we could not possibly appreciate more. My DH was a little surprised by the amount I planned to give each person (nothing ridiculously over the top) even though he also thinks they are fabulous. When I explained what role they have in our DD's life/world right now and pointed out that we could give up a few dinners out, it made total sense to him. I feel really good about the gifts we gave and about the nice notes we provided with our gifts.

[Anonymous]

Why in the flibbety-fly-floo should I have to deprive MY good old SELF of a single luxury to tip somebody else? Isn´t that why we signed a contract with an agreed-upon price for the care provided? The tipping culture has gotten completely out of control.

[Anonymous]

The tipping culture has gotten completely out of control 2

[Anonymous]

It's a gift, not a tip. And I can't think of anyone more important in your child's life (other than family of course), than their day care teachers at this age. In what universe can it be wrong to express appreciation to them for all they do for your child (and you)?

[Anonymous]

We gave 150 each to the two main teachers who taught DD all year long and 50 to the part- time helper. These ladies potty trained DD, taught her letters and numbers, reinforced manners, and gave her so much love while we were at work. DH and I discussed amounts and decided that spending 350 total was tiny relative to daycare annual tuition and would be very much appreciated by the teachers. I got a hug from one and the other almost cried when she thanked me. I was glad to give them a token in appreciation of their service this past year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the flibbety-fly-floo should I have to deprive MY good old SELF of a single luxury to tip somebody else? Isn´t that why we signed a contract with an agreed-upon price for the care provided? The tipping culture has gotten completely out of control.

If you're not being sarcastic then you are really yuckky.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why in the flibbety-fly-floo should I have to deprive MY good old SELF of a single luxury to tip somebody else? Isn´t that why we signed a contract with an agreed-upon price for the care provided? The tipping culture has gotten completely out of control.

But do you really want to be THE parent in your kid's class who didn't give the teachers a holiday gift? I can't imagine a $25 gift card is going to deprive you of anything, but it'll buy much more in goodwill.