Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Originally I was going to give the main lady $50 the night lady $40 and cookies to the rest of the women.

Well a LOT of things have been changed. I have hardly any money at all. I am scraping to put together enough to just PAY for daycare!


And at daycare there has been a shake up. The director was fired. She had some issues of being way to lax. I know I’ve had a lot of issues lately with AJ’s new room and the communication the teachers lack. But I thought it was just me. Apparently it wasn’t.

They’ve hired a new director and have a director from another one of their locations in as part time to help with the transition. I’ve had to sit down with all THREE the new director, part time director AND the owner herself. They royally messed up in AJ’s room and things have yet to improve.

Some of the issues are teacher related, I don’t know if my child ate late, how did that scratch ended up on her face, Who took care of her, did she finish her food, etc. These things were always written down for us in her old room and we knew EVERYTHING. So these teachers were sorta lax.

As a result of my discussion and the fact that even tho they had a meeting about this they CONTINUED to mess up with AJ that very next day… well.. lets just say a lot of teachers are missing now.

So. Now I’m all confused. I want to still give the old room lead lady something but I can’t afford $50. Would it be shameful to give her $40 and to give the other lady $25?


I feel so bad that I can't afford to do more.

gonna make them cookies and put them in little treat bags I hope to get from party city or michael's.

does this sound ok?

Do I give ANYTHING to the new faces in her room? They just started THIS WEEK and AJ won't be in on Xmas week (can't afford it) so we're talking they will see my kid 3weeks!

Message edited 12/4/2009 11:52:08 AM.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Why not just buy a gift instead of giving money, that way you can spend less on both, but neither of them really knows how much you spent? I ordered each of mine personalized stationery from Etsy last year, freckles and speckles was the vendor and then got them each a nice scarf for like nothing in one of the mall kiosks to wear with a t-shirt or something. It wasnt like a winter scarf type.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Honestly, I don't see why you have to give them anything. I think this "gift giving" stuff is WAY out of hand. I haven't really decided what to get the teachers at my DD school but she has 3 main ones(only one that I like and she is out from surgery right now ). I really am torn about what to do too. I work a school too and never expect gifts. Why do I have to give them if I don't want to?

I say a couple of $10 Starbuck cards are plenty.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

I can't help you with the issues going on at the daycare and believe me... I know how it is when money gets tight and you still want to do the right thing. As another poster said... a gift is nice. Doesn't have to be money. Get something cute a BBB with your 20% discount or go to Costco or BJ's and get something. They always have reasonable gift ideas.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

I think a really nice card and bake some cookies is good! Will show your appreciation and does not have to be super expensive!

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

I alway enjoy homemade gifts the best!! Or even a gift card is nice. Times are tough right now for everyone. $25 each to starbuck or applebees

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Last year DS was in a home daycare - I know the woman did a lot of entertaining so I got her some white bakeware that stacks - over-freezer-micro-dishwasher.

This year - I don't know much about his teacher. Plus he has 1 full time and 2 pt ones and the PT ones I never see b/c they come in late/leave early.

I was in Old Navy - they had scarves/hats/gloves for $2 each so I got them each a set. I think I'll pick up some food or something also for the rest of the staff/directors b/c DS goes into other rooms for drop-off/pick-up.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Honestly, I would opt for a simple gift and a nice card. Give the new teachers a card.

Save your money for other things, they will still appreciate the gift the same.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

IMO, I would buy them breakfast, bagels/cream cheese/butter/OJ and a box o joe and get a card for the two teachers that you like

Then the breakfast can go in the break room for everyone and that's that.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

My friend is making bath salts for the teachers at our preschool. She said it's really easy and inexpensive.
I have no patience for such things but this might be something to look into doing. She's putting them in mason jars with pretty ribbon.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Since you are in Texas I am sure a $25 gift card for each of the two teacher would be perfect.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

First of all, you do not have to buy them anything at all, even just a really nice card with a nice note written in it is so appreciated. But I also say if you really want to get them something, buy them a nice gift that won't break the bank. Even a nice box of Godiva's won't set you back as much as a cash gift, but a stationary set it nice to get, or even a nice scarf or flowers or just anything to show your appreciation.
Some of the greatest gifts I've ever gotten as a teacher were thoughtful, but not expensive. Money can be given by anyone, a thoughtful gift shows so much more to me.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Don't give them money. Last year I gave them customized ornaments from the mall and will do it again this year. They loved them!

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Last year I did a skin care gift set that I made with stuff I got from Target. I'm sort of in your situation with your newer teachers in that my DD's just started at this daycare center. I may just do a card and a "goody". If I have time to bake cookies, fabulous... if not I may get a box from a bakery or mugs filled with candy.

Re: Daycare Gift question - Money is tight - And Daycare vent (long)

Posted by mooshyboo

I think a really nice card and bake some cookies is good! Will show your appreciation and does not have to be super expensive!