Does other daycare providers....?

Question

I asked this question in the business section and no one is answering so I figured I would ask in this section as well. 
    I have a small licensed home daycare, and I've always gotten the children in my care a birthday present, but I'm thinking about stopping it.It gets expensive purchasing gifts for every child, and I really don't feel like it's appreciated. I'm lucky to get a thank you from the parents. The last child I purchased a gift for, I asked the father if the child liked the gift and he said that the dog chewed it up, so it really didn't get used.This was 2 days after I gave the child the gift. That really upset me, because as most of you know, toys are not cheap and I have my own kids to think about, so purchasing a gift for their children takes away from my family. I don't buy junk either, it's always a nice, age appropriate toy. I was just wondering what other daycare providers do. Would it look bad if I just stopped giving birthday presents?

Bobbi · Accepted Answer

In day care centers, you get two types of parents:

Group #1  the parents LOVE you and appreciate what you do

Group #2  the parents LOVE the cheap care you offer, and are glad to dump off the lil one so they can get to work. These parents do not want to be bothered with you slowing them down to tell them all the fun things their child did, or how special, blah blah blah. Not many parents like this can be changed. 

You are running a business. Don't worry if you cut the presents off. If you choose to give, you can give something for $5 or less, like  a coloring book and crayons or some stickers.

? · Answer

Wait until the year is over, and then stop. It would be unfair and the children would notice if one child got a gift that year and another didn't. 


But on a side note, isn't the point of giving to show you care? Not to get a thanks. Whatever happens to the gift after you give it is irrelevant, imo. You would not be upset if the same dog had also chewed a stuffed animal from hsi grandma. Sometimes things just happen. 

Never give a gift with any expectations.

? · Answer

WOW....that is not only nice but thoughtful...

It seems like you started something....so you need to finish out the year...gift giving...so everyone gets something.....

because as you say it wasn't appreciated...then that would make me stop it all together..

at our center...we ask parents purchase a book and donate it to the center...we ak that maybe it be a favorite story...when parents do this we write a little dedication....donated by..sally jones on her 4th BD...and we write what they tell us....like....this is my favorite book because i like when the dog and bird become friends...and we date it...we talk about writing in the book this way creates a memory but normally we do not write in our books...

now the cute thing about this is we have a lot of great books....and when we read...children will ask was that donated...on a birthday...and we look...and read the dedication

we actually play down BD celebrations...otherwise parents think you should have a full blown party
no cupcakes and garbage...save that for home and family and friends at your place...

parents have actually questioned our practice...like really rude..."On my child's day you want me to donate a book to your center?"....interesting that parents are so self centered...and we explain...giving is a good as receiving and we want children to know that you do not have to just receive on your day...

i think you just need to make a decision....not to do that...any longer but i want to thank you for being so giving with tight resources.....

good luck...

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Does other daycare providers....?

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