Should You Tip Your Child's Care Provider or Teacher?
Tuesday December 16, 2008
I don't know about you, but the holidays and upcoming classroom parties have totally snuck up on me this year. I'm bringing stocking stuffers, frantically baking brownies, and printing off adorable class photos to share. And, oh yeah, I'm supposed to have a great gift for my childrens' teachers as well...all within the next three days! Gift cards and cash are great last-minute gifts for early educators and classroom teachers, but are they appropriate? I've asked around, and the answer is a resounding YES! Gift cards to a bookstore, teacher supply store, favorite restaurant or coffee place, or good ol' cash is acceptable, and very appreciated. Of course, don't feel compelled. Educators everywhere stress that a handmade card from the heart has no price tag and will be cherished!
Comments
I just read a great blog post about this from Sheila at Care.com: http://blog.care.com/sheila/2008/12/tipping-guide.html
I agree that a “gift” is nice, but I don’t quite get why we would be calling it a “tip”. I have purchased small gifts for each of my students this year and will be thrilled by any gift (including cards or hand-drawn pictures) that they might want to give me. However, I would hope that it would be a gift into which the child had some input rather than a “tip” that the parent feels they owe me.