Gift Ideas for Daycare

I know that I am late, but WOW, movie passes are great and how generous of you! I know that I would be THRILLED to receive them. Remember that teachers get a LOT of useless (albeit well-meant) trinkets for the holidays. Movie passes are really something that they can use! Happy Holidays, I wish someone would give ME 4 free passes instead of something useless! (not to sound ungrateful for anything someone gives me)

Hi L.:

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Happy Holidays,
N.
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My suggestions as a Teacher in Child CAre would be to send in a platter of bagels for the teachers with cream cheeses and butter and juice. If you still want to get the immediate teacher and asistant a gift get them a Gift Card from someplace like Dunkin' Donuts, or Starbucks anything like that, $10 limit.

L., I think that the movie tickets is a fantastic idea and it is the thought that counts. I really do think that they would appreciate this as a gift. They will not know you get them for free and if you put them in a nice card thanking them for their part in your child's well being. They will most appreciate it.

I have been making homemade cookies for everyone and then for my son's main teacher I give a gift card - usually to dunkin donuts or someplace else she can get coffee. This year I'm thinking of doing the bagels though b/c I'm nots ure I have the time or energy to bake and because my son's school is bigger now so I'm not sure I can really cover everyone who interacts with him. Definitley a gift card though for his main teacher.

Hi L.,

I work in an office and occasionally a vendor will bring in a bag of bagels and cream cheese. They are greatly appreciated and disappear quickly. No need to cater, just stop by the bagel store on your way in (don't forget a container or two of cream cheese), and bring along a basket or large bowl to put them in.

If you have time to bake, a plate of cookies or a banana bread that can be put in the break room to share.

Movie passes also sound like a great idea. Give only 2 to the assistant and other teachers and 4 to the main teacher.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure it will be appreciated. Don't overdo and only spend what you're budget will allow.

I think that the movie passes are a great idea! And if you get them free all the better. It is the thought, not how much you spend. If you can get enough for everyone then I would give to everyone.

Your other idea with the bagel breakfast is really good too. Maybe save that for next year.

Movie passes are a great idea...I always give a bottle of wine to the teachers...and I always get a HUGE thank you when I pick up my kids from school...it seems to be greatly appreciated!

L.,
I have been in the same boat for the past two years. I usually get something for my son's head teacher, and little things for the other teachers who come and go throughout the day. He has always had a favorite teacher (not the head teach), so that one gets something special. ;)
Good luck and happy shopping!

S.

As a former daycare employee I would suggest ornaments. Some of my favorites to this day came from kids in my class. You can make them with your child or pick out something special. They are inexpensive and always useful.

Hey L.,

I have worked in daycare and also have a daughter in Kindergarten so I know how it feels to not know what to get or who to give to. The movie ticket idea in a nice Christmas card sounds great! I always loved that idea. Also, a $10 giftcard to Dunkin Donuts is a good idea. Anyone that works with kids all day knows the value of a good cup of coffee! LOL Those are great ideas for the assitants.
For my daughters teacher, I like to spend a little more since she is her main teacher. I thought over the spa giftcard, Target, money, etc. I found this really great website, its called GiftCards.com and you can make your own personalized Visa/Mastercard gift card. I took a picture of my daughter from one of her school functions and made a personalized giftcard for the teacher to spend where ever she liked. It was a big hit and even after its all used up she can keep it as a momento.

And remember, they dont expect anything, sometimes a nice Christmas card with a sincere thank you for all you do and how much your child loves them, is a great gift.

Happy Holidays!!!

I own a daycare center and I can tell you movie tickets sound great. Also, many parents have done a catered breakfast for us and we love it. I run across this all the time in before care and after care there are many different assistants so it is impossible to expect parents to bear that expense. Even a homemade card means so much. Happy Holidays

Movie passes are a great idea- it's a luxury these days b/c it's a fortune! They don't need to know that they were free. Just make sure that the theater is somewhat near their home.

Otherwise, a catered breakfast or lunch is ALWAYS appreciated. I had a parent do this for me one year (I run a "lunch bunch" for a group of boys) and it was a huge hit! She sent all of the service providers an invite to have breakfast in my office (she asked first) and it was wonderful. Bagels, juice, cream cheese, fruit and a beautiful hand-written thank you for each of us from her child.

If you are looking for "protocol" regarding childcare gifst, most people suggest one week's salary for the primary caregiver and smaller denominations for the aides. That can get very pricey, so do what you can. This year, we are doing a gift card to a day spa for the primary teacher and Dunkin Donuts gift cards for the aides. It's the thought, not the price tag!

L., I think movie passes are a great idea, any type of pass/gift card is great. I"m sure the teachers would think the breakfast would be a lovely idea too - I work in an elementary school and one day a year, the parents give us a luncheon and we enjoy it and appreciate it so much.
If the teachers who are not hers are with her for a very short time, I don't feel it's necessary to give a gift, and if you do, a home baked goodie would likely be sufficient

I think if you can get the free movie passes, that's a great idea! That is a very nice gift and if it doesn't cost you anything, even better! I would get them for just her teacher and the assistant. Breakfast would be nice if it's not too expensive, that way the other teachers could be involved too. However, I don't think it is necessary to get something for the other teachers unless she has a specific favorite. You have great ideas, trust your instincts and don't feel bad about money being tight. Everyone understands!

I think you are definitely on the right track! The movie passes sound like a great idea, and it doesn't matter that you get them free...they would cost the teacher to buy them, so I think it's great! If you wanted to, you could get a basket at the dollar store (or use one you already have) and put in a couple of packs of microwave popcorn and a box or 2 of candy to make a "movie gift basket." I have the same issue. My daughter started daycare in September, so we have only been there a short while. We are going to get a gift for her 2 class teachers, and 1 aide. We have spoken with some other moms and we are getting together to buy a nice food platter for the staff as a whole. This way, we don't have to cover all the costs, but we can still get something nice for all the people who take care of our little girl while we can't. Hope this helps!

I gave movie passes a few years ago...I attached 2 tix to a movie-sized candy and gave to the assistants...big hit! You might also check with other parents about a group gift. Our daycare lady was sooo happy to receive something she wanted rather than another mug, candle, or box of candy. I only have one child left in before and after-school care so she will make something for each staff member. Her teachers at school have requested donations to a local charity, which is a nice idea as well.
Happy Holidays!

I say go with the passes!! I'd love to get those...it's a treat and the thought behind the gift is important, not the pricetag. I have 5 boys and we make cookies and treats for their teachers and we also make a Christmas ornament for each teacher...not a lot of $$$, but it's from the kids.

L.,

I can tell you that the best gifts I have ever gotten were made by the children. Oh, I have been teaching for 12 years in public, private and now my own school. The gifts that meant the most to me cost pennies and allowed a family to work together at home to produce a gift from the heart. I have gotten wooden blocks, cut by mom or dad(heart shaped or trees) and sanded/polished by the little one, cards (of course the drawings are precious), home made lip balm (heat beeswax and add olive oil and a scented essential oil like eucalyptus) or beeswax candles (heat beeswax and dip a wick over and over to make), lavendar pillows (small squares of fabric sewn or glued together, stuffed with cotton or wool and lavendar leaves), baking!!!! cookies, candied orange peels.... I have so many ideas! If you want more ideas or directions, feel free to reply.

Just remember, each teacher that helps your child to grow will appreciate ANYTHING that she makes. It does not have a price tag when it comes from a child's heart.

-P.