What Is an Appropriate Christmas Gift for Your Child Care Provider?

If this is an in-home provider, I think it would be perfectly acceptable and not tacky at all to give a 'holiday bonus'. Many people who work in the private sector receive a holiday or end-of-year bonus, so as her employer you could treat the situation similarly.

Alternately, you could give a gift card to one of her favorite places or if you know a lot about her likes and or dislikes, you could get her some sort of gift. Although I'm not an in-home provider or a daycare worker, I am a teacher and if it helps I DEFINITELY love getting gift cards.

I just read a whole thread on this on a blog I read. Some of the responses came from babysitters who said they much prefer cash. I definitely cash is the way to go--the equivalent of one week's pay, if possible. I know it sounds like a lot, but consider the service this person provides and how important they are to you. The first year, I gave our babysitter $100 cash, last year $150. I think cash is so much better than things like candles, lotion, etc. A gift card to somewhere like Target is a good second option. I consider this a Christmas bonus. When I get a bonus, I want cash, not some lame gift.

Usually I give my daycare person something I know that she can use for herself. I have given her gift certs to the place I know she gets her nails done. Gift cards for coffee since that's one of her 'treats', a restaurant she likes to go to, etc. Usually I spend at least $25.. sometimes I can give a bit more, depends if she's got a helper that year or not.

Honestly if I even got a card I would be touched!

I usually give cash, but I have only once been able to give a full week's pay (when we had only one child and one DCP). For one thing, we are usually paying for her (paid) vacation at the same time and sometimes we also have to pay for another daycare to take our son, so coming up with 3-weeks of pay in one week, at Christmas, is not going to happen.

Also, she has a full-time helper who needs to get a gift. And my other son has 3 after-school daycare providers, and his teacher. And the younger son has 2 preschool teachers. I think the idea of a full week's pay works with one child/one provider/nanny. If I had to give sizeable cash bonuses to all of them, I wouldn't be able to afford to pay any of them in January!

Last year the DCP and her assistant got $50 each, and everyone else got smaller gift cards.

I just watched the Today show on this topic. They say that if you pay someone in cash that that can be an okay way to give a gift. They said to give a monetary value of one day or one session of pay. Here is the article.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21978174/

As a provider myself, things that are always much appreciated are gift cards to Target or Michaels--you can buy things for yourself there, or as I do, buy art supplies or toys for the daycare children there. I think a gift card to get your nails done is also a very nice gesture. Generally, the $20 range would be a great Thank you.

I have been a daycare provider for over 20 years and the gifts have ranged from a picture of the child in a nice frame to a $300.00 bonus. Most daycare providers do not make a large salery so gift cards or money is always nice. I like the personnel gifts like the case of Diet Coke or the gift cards to McDonalds for my Diet Coke. All the parents know I am hooked on Diet Coke. It is not about the cost of the gift it is the thought that counts. One year I got a cookie plate filled with homemade cookies. I use the cookie plate every year at Christmas time. I love all the ornaments I have recieved over the years. Each year it reminds me of the little ones I have cared for. Give what you are comfortable with.
Cheryl

Wow I was just chatting about this with daycare provider friends. I have gotten decorations for the home/ daycare and gift cards to resturants. All things I enjoyed. Cash or a bonus is good too. I gave my daycare providers $150 in mario tricocci gift cards. I sent my daughter to daycare from age 0-2 before opening my own.

Often the daycare parents give my 4 year old a gift. I think that is very considerate of them, but at times I feel left out. not appreciated. I am the one changing the diarehha diapers, feeding the kids on demand, and running ragged at times. A token of appreciation like a special ornanment I got one year- an ornament that said nurture on it- something a token of appreciation is nice.