Christmas Gifts And Bonuses

**Zoe** · 12-20-2011, 03:51 PM

I don't think it would be inappropriate ONLY if you have parents that always give you gifts. Otherwise, it might seem presumptuous, kwim?

**kidkair** · 12-20-2011, 04:35 PM

You could send out a newsletter for January and say something like: I appreciate all the wonderful gifts you gave me. I especially enjoyed the gift cards to restaurants, it's great to get out after a busy day. Thanks also for the daycare craft supplies, that really shows be how much you appreciate the crafts I send home with your kids.

One or two of the parents might get the message and give you those things next year. Just remember to thank them the same way next year too. I found posting a thank you to all who returned renewal paperwork early helped everyone get theirs in. All the parents read it and assumed they were the only ones running late.

Truth was that no one had got the paperwork back before I posted the thank you note and I had all the paperwork back in two days.

**JenNJ** · 12-20-2011, 05:15 PM

Originally posted by kidkair

I found posting a thank you to all who returned renewal paperwork early helped everyone get theirs in. All the parents read it and assumed they were the only ones running late.

Truth was that no one had got the paperwork back before I posted the thank you note and I had all the paperwork back in two days.

I did something similar for Friday. I made an off-hand comment about how only a couple of kids would be here. Everyone asked when the last kid was leaving. I told them all after nap. So I am done at 3pm on Friday. Yay!

**Lucy** · 12-20-2011, 10:41 PM

Originally posted by kidkair

You could send out a newsletter for January and say something like: I appreciate all the wonderful gifts you gave me. I especially enjoyed the gift cards to restaurants, it's great to get out after a busy day. Thanks also for the daycare craft supplies, that really shows be how much you appreciate the crafts I send home with your kids.

One or two of the parents might get the message and give you those things next year. Just remember to thank them the same way next year too. I found posting a thank you to all who returned renewal paperwork early helped everyone get theirs in. All the parents read it and assumed they were the only ones running late.

Truth was that no one had got the paperwork back before I posted the thank you note and I had all the paperwork back in two days.

LOVE this!! This is soooo ME!! Maybe I'm chicken sometimes, but I find clever ways to get around uncomfortable things. LOL.

**Crystal** · 12-21-2011, 07:46 AM

I think it is the thought that counts. I think it is rude to ask for anything and I think it is rude to not be appreciative of what you are given.

I could imagine what the responses would be like here if this was a child we were talking about.

**LittleD** · 12-21-2011, 07:47 AM

Originally posted by kidkair

You could send out a newsletter for January and say something like: I appreciate all the wonderful gifts you gave me. I especially enjoyed the gift cards to restaurants, it's great to get out after a busy day. :

That part is great, but if you would rather have supplies then presents, add "Instead of giving gifts to me, the children and I would really appreciate these craft supplies for our daycare. (list item examples) We all enjoy our craft time and these items are things we go through really fast" or something to that effect.

**meganlavonnesmommy** · 12-21-2011, 07:56 AM

At least you get something. Most of my families give nothing. Even though I take great care to plan and make great crafts for the kids to take home, the kids make a gift for the parents, and I give each family a cookie tray with homemade goodies. A select few each year give me something, and some of the gifts have been really nice. But the majority dont give anything.

Like you said, I'd be just as happy with a nice card thanking me for all that I do.

**dEHmom** · 12-21-2011, 08:22 AM

I don't think it would be inappropriate at all of you to do it, just in a way that doesn't sound like you expect something.
My dd's school sent home a notice saying that these are a list of books that your classroom needs, at the booksale that if you'd like, you could buy them and they'll even wrap them for a christmas present for the teacher, and books will remain in the classroom.

Also, I know that usually when people don't really know you well enough to know what you'd like, they opt for lotions, soaps, etc. So maybe it's not a regift?

one of my dcf's gave me a $50 gift card for the whole family to go to dinner and a beautiful card saying how much they appreciate everything I do, and how well I take care of dcb. He runs to me in the morning and hugs and kisses me.

Another dcf who I didn't expect anything from (even thought I know the grandma bought the stuff - she works with my dh- it was still very nice) gave me a box of my fav chocolates cause dh said that's what I want, haha, and they gave each of my own children a present too!

The other family, I don't know if they will give me anything, and I don't expect anything either. They have only been here a month, but I hope I get a card at least. If not I won't be hurt.

**melissa ann** · 12-21-2011, 08:34 AM

Originally posted by meganlavonnesmommy

At least you get something. Most of my families give nothing. Even though I take great care to plan and make great crafts for the kids to take home, the kids make a gift for the parents, and I give each family a cookie tray with homemade goodies. A select few each year give me something, and some of the gifts have been really nice. But the majority dont give anything.

Like you said, I'd be just as happy with a nice card thanking me for all that I do.

Same here.

**melskids** · 12-21-2011, 08:36 AM

I've gotten everything from a homemade card, to a framed picture of the childs handprints, to a cash gift worth twice my weekly rate, and everything in between.

I never expect anything, then when I do receive something, it is a great surprise!

I'm always greatful for whatever parents give me, and just happy they even thought of me. A hand written note of thanks always wins, hands down!

**Unregistered** · 12-21-2011, 08:49 AM

I'm logged out for being ashamed of how I feel. I have only been in buisness for a few years. One year at Christmas I was on Maternaty, another all my families had been laid off for the winter months, one year all I had was my sisters children, and this is the first year that I have actuall kids at Christmas time. Even when I was 12 or 13 doing baby sitting I have recieved some kind of a Christmas bonus from the families that watched on weekends or evenings. It was only 10 to 20 dollars, but that was almost 20 years ago. I was surprised the first year. My mom told me that on "Oprah" she said you were suppose to tip your daycare provider a weeks worth of pay. My mom always gave that to the daycare provider for my little sisters. I had my daugher when I was 18. My parents helped me pay for daycare while I went to school and they gave her daycare provider a weeks worth of pay as a bonus. When I started paying for the daycare myself I always gave a weeks worth of pay. I did have one lady for a few years that charged by the hour and only when the child came. With her I always gave her two weeks of pay, plus I made sure I paid her for Christmas, Christmas Eve, and any other extra day I might have gotten off.
My families tell me at least once a week how they are so lucky to have me as a provider. Most of my kids were only suppose to come for 2 months while the regular daycare provider was on Maternaty and 1/2 way through the stay they all asked if I would be able to take them on permanetly. When I started getting gifts this year my heart kind of dropped. I recieved framed pictures of there family, some stinky soap basket, and a couple of 20 gift cards. I thanked every one for the gifts and I was told "Oh you deserve it." I kind of felt like it was a slap in the face. I could see if they were low income, but they aren't. Like I said I'm ashamed on how I feel. I should be greatful for anything. I will be changing my contracts so that I get paid for when children don't show and maybe a few paid holidays from now on and won't count on anything from my families. I was also thinking of raising my rates $5 a week. Stick that $5 in a envelope every week and next Christmas open it up and be like "Merry Christmas to Me."
I don't think there is anything wrong with asking the families not to buy you anything and having them donate craft supplies to the daycare.

**cheerfuldom** · 12-21-2011, 10:05 AM

Some people who do a lot of general type gifts like bath stuff or blankets are sometimes the people that re-gift or just buy the same thing for everyone they know. Not that thats a terrible thing but I can see how someone might be a little miffed to not receive something a little more heartfelt.

I got a $100 in cash from one of my families....now thats what I am talkin' about!!

**wdmmom** · 12-21-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally posted by cheerfuldom

Some people who do a lot of general type gifts like bath stuff or blankets are sometimes the people that re-gift or just buy the same thing for everyone they know. Not that thats a terrible thing but I can see how someone might be a little miffed to not receive something a little more heartfelt.

I got a $100 in cash from one of my families....now thats what I am talkin' about!!

I got a $50 gift card to the movie theater! SWEET! That's what I'm sayin! A night out for FREE! Love it!!! happyface

**Ariana** · 12-21-2011, 10:32 AM

My mom told me that on "Oprah" she said you were suppose to tip your daycare provider a weeks worth of pay.

WOW! Really? I don't get anywhere near that! One family gave me a big fat nothing. Not even a card. My families are pretty well off too. It doesn't upset me really it's just funny how some people treat the people who are caring for their children. It boggles the mind

Christmas Gifts And Bonuses

Christmas Gifts And Bonuses

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