Our center does a group gift that gets split across all staff. I usually add a small card/gift for the dedicated teachers in my kid's room. I've done cash and I've done gift cards--depends on my mood, how organized I am, etc. It's usually $10-20 depending on how many teachers there are and how much I contributed to the group gift.

I am the OP of the other thread that was locked. I'm not interested in the debate about whether it's better to give $30 or $50, but want to hear what others are giving? Is everyone giving cash? Do you give a gift to the director? Floaters?

If I could afford it I'd give it. I wish I could do so much more for my son's daycare providers. They are so loving to him and take care of him so well all day long.

PP-your mother? Do you think things are a bit different now?

I don't think my mother ever gave money to day care providers.

We did the max we could afford--$100 cash to each of the 4 providers.

We can't afford $50 per teacher, but if I could, I would totally give them that. One of the teachers spends tons of her money on activities for the kids, she rarely asks the parents to contribute. I wish I could give her a bigger present, she is such a fantastic teacher.

I would go $50 each for two teachers.

Anonymous wrote:OP, the difference between $50 and $30 isn't worth arguing over. It's the holiday season and money just flows like water. Find something else to argue about.

Money does not flow like water for all of us.

OP, the difference between $50 and $30 isn't worth arguing over. It's the holiday season and money just flows like water. Find something else to argue about.

Compromise and do $40 each.

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!

IDK- I gave $60 last year, and will again this year. It's more than I spend on any family member (we are not a huge gift giving family.) That being said- it makes a huge difference to the teachers. They are not well paid. A teacher last year wrote me a note outlining precisely how this money had made a difference for her-- it really changed my attitude when I realized that the thing she was now able to do is something that I wouldn't think twice about.
So, yes, I spend more on the teachers than I do my own children. But I spend money on my own children all year- I enroll them in classes, I buy them things just because, I take them on fun outings, I take them on nice vacations. This is the one time of the year that I give a monetary gift to the teachers. If you can't afford it, fine- but I wouldn't not give b/c you spend less on family.

It doesn't matter. Any amount or no amount is fine. It's not worth fussing with your DH about. Split the difference.

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).

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!