Browse by title articles:

21 Ways to Show Your Child Care Provider Your Appreciation

by Christy Camburn    

1) Say it! Just a little compliment on what a great job they are doing can go along way.

2) Leave a nice thank you note or card in your child's bag as a surprise for your provider to find.

3) Always pay your child care payments on time. It shows your respect for her as a professional. Remember providers have paydays just like you. Imagine not receiving your paycheck on pay day!

4) Send referrals! Tell your friends, coworkers and family about what a great provider you have.

5) Let your provider know that you have a back-up if they need to take a day for personal appointments or if they are ill. Many providers will think of your childcare needs first and hesitate to call in sick even when they really need to.

6) If your provider has children, offer to watch them one evening or weekend so they can enjoy a quiet evening at home or out on the town.

7) Perhaps your job or business may have a treasure for your provider, that may just be useless trash to you, like scrap paper or material.

8) Holidays are often the busiest time of year for child care providers. You could bring a treat or snack for everyone to enjoy.

9) Always try to be on time or keep your schedule as planned so as to not interfere with your provider's family time.

10) Give your provider a gift certificate to be pampered. Who wouldn't enjoy a massage?

11) Give your provider a paid day off or bonus. Most provider's do not have sick or vacation pay, and would be very grateful.

12) Donate a weeks worth of paper/plastic products such as paper plates, cups, bowls, napkins and utensils with a note that says "Warm wishes to you and no dishes to do, just to let you know we appreciate you!"

13) Pool together with other parents to donate a new playground item.

14) Have your child pick out a special bouquet of flowers or a nice plant to give their provider with a note that says "Thank you for helping me grow"

15) Do not send your child to care while eating something that is difficult to share. Have them finish their snack before hand or bring enough for all their friends.

16) Write your child care provider a glowing letter of recommendation!

17) When you have portraits taken of your child, be sure to include one to give your provider.

18) Write a letter to your neighborhood newspaper about how your provider provides a quality, nurturing environment for your child to learn, grow and have fun during the most important years of his/her life.

19) Always keep the lines of communication open, never assume anything and always ask questions.

20) If your provider is planning a special field trip, offer to go along and help.

21) I can't think of a better way to show your provider how much they mean to you, than to make their family dinner the night before and surprise them with it the next day when you drop of your children for care. I imagine she would be speechless!


-----------------
Christy Camburn is a busy mom of three and the editor of ChildCareFinders.org- A website dedicated to parents and child care professionals. For information, ideas, resources, and support Visit Child Care Finders at http://www.ChildCareFinders.org http://www.childcarefinders.org/