Christmas Gift or Check for in Home Daycare Provider?

As a home daycare provider myself, you are very lucky she does not charge you. I charge for holiday weeks as this is my business and big daycares charge regardless and I cannot afford to go a week without pay any more then most people could. That said, a nice gift card for her family out would be a nice gesture. All my parents know that I wouldn't charge unless I had to and I save them a large amount of money doing the after school care at a reduced rate so they have no problem paying me even if their child isn't here.
I would say if you know a place she likes to eat, give her a gift card for their, if she has a particular hobby give her a gift card for there, a nice gesture from you means you appreciate her hard work and I think very appropriate. It doesn't have to be a lot but letting her know you are happy with her services goes a long way! :)

GOOD FOR YOU FOR THINKING OF YOUR DAYCARE PROVIDER LIKE A PERSON AND NOT A SERVICE. JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE PAYING HER DOES NOT MEAN SHE IS ANY LESS APPRECIATED. RIGHT?!! HERE IS THE THING-- I THINK THAT IF YOU GET A PAID HOLIDAY,PERSONAL DAY ,VACATION, THAN YOUR DAY CARE PROVIDER SHOULD AS WELL.
I HAVE PROVIDED DAYCARE FOR 15 + YEARS AND I FEEL SO USED BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I HAVE "YOUR" CHILD WHO YOU WOULD DO ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING FOR , REALLY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT WHAT I GET BECAUSE..... YOU PAY ME FOR A SERVICE. IT IS RELLY ABOUT THE LITTLE THINGS FOR ME. LIKE A SIMPLE THANK YOU AT THE END OF EACH DAY OR AT THE VERY LEAST EACH WEEK. AND MAY BE YOU CAN'T AFFORD ALOT RIGHT NOW FOR THE HOLIDAYS BUT YOU COULD DO LITTLE THINGS THROUGH OUT THE YEAR. THE BEST THING THAT I EVER GOT FROM AN MOM WAS A PAID VACATION. WE REALLY RELY ON THE MINIMAL MONEY YOU PAY FOR DAYCARE AND THE AMOUNT YOU PAY US WOULD NEVER ADD UP TO HOW MUCH YOUR CHILD MEANS TO YOU RIGHT??
I NOT MEANING TO SOUND LIKE YOU DON'T APPRECIATE HER I AM JUST TELLING YOU FROM MY POINT OF VIEW. MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT LIKE YOU(GIVING). I HAVE EVEN DONE DAYCARE FOR PROFESSIONALS AND THEY MADE ME FEEL SO LOW. BUT AT THE TIME I NEEDED THE $$ BECAUSE I WANTED TO STAY HOME FORMY OWN CHILDREN(14,10,7,4)

look and listen and notice things she might need for the daycare. sometimes it is nice to just spend some quality adult time with her. well i hope that i have helped and not offended you. GOOD LUCK AND GOD BLESS

T.,
I know how hard it is deciding what to do for Christmas. I also have an almost 3 year old. I got a gift for the daycare. So I didnt feel like I needed to get something for every child individually and my most wonderful daycare lady. With out my daycare lady I would be lost and she is a home daycare provider also. My son loves her almost as much as he loves me. I got her a simple Nativity set so that she has one that her and the kids can play with. She was mentioning last year how she would like one and it make a great idea for this year as she is also a faith based daycare. Good luck to you and your decision. Whatever you decide I am sure she is not expecting anything from you, tis the season to be greatful to give not to recieve right?
Seasons Greeting to you and your family.
J.

I would give one or the other, not both. My mom is self -employed and I know she always appreciates her "bonuses" her customers give her. On the other hand, times are tough and I am sure your day care provider would appreciate any gift you gave.

hi,

Well.No good daycare provider is going to expect anything. However ,people like to be recognize for their efforts. I used to be a home childcare provider and will be again probably (taking a break for raising my own three children,one just 3 months ,5 years old and 3 years old). And although i didn't expect anything, I did take pride when the parents and children were satisfied with my excellent childcare and teaching(i was doing a tiny bit of preschool with the 21/2 to 6 years old) . The baby is the reason i am taking a break as i want to provide the quality childcare that i will want for my own children.We are living in a two bedroom apartment now and i don't feel i can provided the same quality childcare i used to provide with the baby ,more children and therefore less space .So, for me the best gift i ever received so far ,and it is still one of my favorite to this day is a personalized cup that say "Top childcare provider" as a title and "Proud to be a 100% caring, attentive, safety conscious,educating,entertaining ,fun ,loving childcare provider.I think the mom payed 15 dollars or so for it over the internet.So probably around 20 with shipping if i remember correctly (i knew this because that's how much she was short upon payment and did pay me later on her own time so i didn't care she was also appreciative of that too. I did received that gift when i was just starting out and with no special reason ,it wasn't my birthday or Christmas or anything,just the mom wanted to let me know how much she appreciated my childcare. And it was to me well worth the 20 dollars or so less ,may be because i was just starting out. And like i said she did pay later anyway. Other gift i received over the years ( 3 years total so far): Flowers,chocolates,candy, money jar for the daycare, gifts certificate to baby stores,grocery stores,amazon,hair dresser,coffee place, clothes for my own children,clothes for the daycare like dress up clothes and cover up for painting .gift cards to Barnes and Nobles and plenty of cards to tell me how much they were happy with the childcare. I don't know if this will help you any ,I hope it does :-) .
Sincerely.
N.