Holiday Tipping

OMG, this year we potentially have so many people to tip. DS goes to an integrated preK until 2:30, and he is bussed to an afternoon daycare until I leave work.

So, I am curious, for those of you who have your children in a morning and afternoon program, who do you tip? Do people typically tip the bus driver and matron (I am guessing they do, but have no clue). Do you give anything to the Directors and office staff? I would like to give something to everyone, but I am thinking we just can't afford this many gifts.

Re: Holiday Tipping

when DS was in EI from 15m-2y he had

5 ABA therapists
1 speech
1 ot

so it wasnt so bad... during that time he had 3 during Christmas so we got them $50 GCs

then he went to school that sept (when he was 2 and in addition to the 7 people, we had 1 teachers & 3 aides.

for the school portion teacher got $25 GC and a $10-$15 gift to go along with it.

for the aides they got a $15-$20 gift

his therapists again got $50 GCs

when he turned 3 he started to take the bus and he was then in CPSE program...

he had 3 home therapists
2 teachers
4 aides
bus driver
Matron

because i am also very involved in the PTA, we bought for the Principal, VP & secretary staff (5 people)

home people still got $50 GC
2 teachers got $25 GC plus gift
aides got $15 gifts (bath soaps)
bus driver got $25 GC
Matron got $15 gift

i spent about $50 on the principal, VP & office staff with chocolates, cookies, etc.

then the principal got an additional personalized gift from my DS.

we are doing the same this year, we have the same amount of ppl, and we feel its the right amount.

we did add on 3 teachers for DD and 3 gym babysitters, but are only spending $10 each on them.

they dont expect it, but its always a nice gesture.

AJs home therapists have been with him since he was 15 months old... he is 4 now.

ETA: not many people got for the princ or office staff... it was mainly the active PTA members (4 of us).. lol

Message edited 11/25/2011 7:39:14 PM.

Re: Holiday Tipping

I don't tip anyone, I buy small gifts, $5-$10 max. Probably will spend $20 for the one-on-one aide since she does a lot for my child. I do a platter of goodies for the office staff, and something small for the bus driver. We don't have a matron on the mini bus.

Re: Holiday Tipping

Okay, a platter is a good idea for the office staff and Director. I have lots of credit card points, so I will probably redeem some for gift cards. The integrated PreK is less os a puzzle for me, it's his after school daycare that gets confusing.

Re: Holiday Tipping

I am a SAHM so we give as much as we can afford. I have several friends and family that are teachers and they said gift cards are the best option. They said they have more lotion and soap than they could ever use in a lifetime! We did Barnes and Nobel one year, Kohls another- this year we are doing Target gc's.

4 home therapists 2-3x per week- $25

School-
Teacher-$25
1:1 Aid- $20
3 other aids in room-$5
OT (1x per week) -$10 (just started)

Hadn't thought of the office staff. Probably a costco chocolate basket. My DH is a teacher and I always buy costco gift sets for the secretaries.

Hope this helps

Re: Holiday Tipping

I have so many to buy for this year, I don't even know where to start! LOL.

DS has 1 teacher, 2 assistants, an ABA teacher, OT, PT, and Speech (2 different therapists).

2 different bus drivers and 2 different matrons

That's his AM School! His PM school, he has 1 teacher, 1 assistant and a SEIT.


Then, my DD has:

PT, OT, Spec. Ed, Speech, Feeding, Group, Swim, and we're starting a Mommy & Me (not sure I'll do anything since we are "new").

I think DD and Starbucks are going to REALLY like me this year!

I may do boxes of chocolates as well.

For the teachers, probably GCs as well (but, for a little more $).

Tis the season. LOL.

Re: Holiday Tipping

DS has a home ABA therapist and then goes to Thursday's Child for additional ABA and speech. At the center he has 1 teacher and 2-7 ABA assistants.

I'm a SAHM so we can't afford to do gifts for every single person. we decided to send the center a
treat tower


for the home therapist we are giving her a different treat tower and a GC.

Re: Holiday Tipping

For afterschool daycare, I give each of his classroom teachers a small gift card, like $10-15 (there are 2 of them). I get the director and the other head staff person a bottle of wine. The director has been very good to me and DS, so I do like to show my appreciation.

I also get $10 Dunkin Donut gift cards for the bus drivers and matrons. I do the same for his individual therapists at school and will contribute to a class gift for the teacher and assistants in the preschool class. It does all add up, but I am very grateful for all these people do for DS.

Message edited 12/2/2011 2:27:23 PM.

Re: Holiday Tipping

Since we don't pay for services, I DO tip everyone. I figured it would cost me more to send my kid to preschool/pre-K than paying tips.

1 teacher = $25
4 assistants = $15 each
2 OT = $15 each
2 Speech= $15
1 PT= $15 each
1 bus driver = $15
1 matron = $10

1 swimming instructor = $25

I spent more last year but this is what I am going to do this year.

I really wanted to give his horseback riding instructor one too but we stopped already for the Winter and will resume next March. I will give it to her then.

Re: Holiday Tipping

Thanks again for the replies! I got the gift cards for teachers and therapists today. Now I'll pick up candy for the office staff at both schools (I talk to them a lot), and a small gift for the social worker at one school who was instrumental in getting my son services. I'm thinking cash for the bus driver.