Gifts for Daycare Providers

Updated on September 30, 2010
K.A. asks from Mars, PA
14 answers

Since the Holidays are right around the corner I wanted to get a head start on some of my shopping to make it a bit easier on myself since we'll have a newborn in the house. My 3 yr old son is in Daycare full time and they have about 17 teachers total. I'd like to come up with a creative and inexpensive way to let them know we care. Last year I bought bags of cookie dough and attached christmas ornament cookie cutters to each bag. Any thoughts on what we could do this year? I don't have a ton of money to spend because I'll be on maternity leave at the time. I will have some time on my hands, but not a whole lot either with a new born....what to do for them? Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome. If you suggest a gift card, what would be a reasonable price for each?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.O.

answers from Chicago on

A Christmas Fannie May Bar or other good chocolate wrap up nicely. You spend a dollar on each bar and get the goodie bags at the party store it is a little for each one and not a big investment.
J.

1 mom found this helpful

More Answers

L.M.

answers from Dover on

Why not do a gift basket with some goodies in it for all of them?

2 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

17 teachers! Wow. What about a Christmas Ornament for each of them?

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

Last year we purchased a BIG container of wrapped truffles for the whole staff and gave little bath items to the two teachers who worked with our son daily. We gave a slightly nicer gift to the head teacher. Everyone seemed to appreciate the thought.

This year the boys are home with Papa and I plan to give him as much time as possible off to do his own things when I am home for the holiday break! ;-p

The lunch idea is nice but I think the basket of goodies or tray of cookies is more inclusive. As others have said it is the thought that counts!!!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.P.

answers from New York on

I would suggest a gift certificate to a take-out or delivery restaurant with a menu attached. It's quick, easy and would be a welcome treat on a dreary winter day!

You could also do a huge batch of Chex Mix (homemade, if you have the time) and send it in with your child in a sealable serving container. My mom used to do this and it was a huge hit. People have company over the holidays and it's easy to open the container and put it out for guests!

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I usually make a cake for all of the staff to share & have my son sign a card.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.W.

answers from Harrisburg on

As a daycare provider, I can tell you that we enjoy... grazing all day... a fruit platter, or some bagels and cream cheese, or even some homemade cookies... it is the thought that counts with us... but we do love to munch!

Thank you for thinking of all the teachers too - the floaters and subs oftentimes don't really get anything and don't get recognized and feel left out... a gift like yours mean the world to them!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I've done dollar store coffee cups with $5 coffee (Dunkin Donuts ,WAWA etc) gift cards. But 17 teachers seems like a bit much. My daughter was in daycare and we did only her teachers. 17 seems like overkill. What about bringing in a tray of homemade cookies, or if baking is too much work, a tray of pretzels or something?

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.S.

answers from Chicago on

Do you have to do all 17 teachers? thats really excessive. Most of the time it is more customary to give a gift to just his teacher and maybe the aid in the classroom. but if your doing all of them I would maybe go with the idea of a plate of cookies or candy and a card. a gift card to his regular teacher.

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

17 teachers?????
a nice card each!
khairete
S.

L.S.

answers from Philadelphia on

I am doing Homemade spaghetti sauce, homemade pasta, and garlic butter in a little basket from the dollar store.

Cost per basket is $4.25 each (veggies from a local farm, baskets from dollar store, jars, bags, & butter)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

Of the 17 teachers, how many of them actually have major interaction with your son? My kids went to day care full time from about 9 weeks old and the most teachers I ever had to buy for was 6 per room and that was when they were infants. It went down to 4 when they were at the oldest level. So if for some reason you really do have to buy for 17, I think the lunch idea is good, assuming all the people are there at lunch time. If not, then maybe a big snack/dessert basket that can be grazed all day if various shifts.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.W.

answers from Philadelphia on

$5 each at either McDonalds or Starbucks. I would say starbucks if the teachers are young. That is plenty because there are 17 teachers. If you can start doing them now,while you are still working then it will be less of a burden financially. Good luck

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.I.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Instead of giving each caregiver a gift, I scheduled a date with the director when all would be there so I could bring in lunch. Since I was working, I ordered lunch from pan era and they all loved it! Since you will be on maternity leave you could make something like lasagna and salad. I did every year and they all looked forward to it. Good luck!

Updated

.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions