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Paid childcare

Discuss everything related to paid childcare here, including childminders, nannies, nurseries and au pairs.

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Original poster

Christmas etiquette for Childminders

11 replies

negrilbaby · 04/12/2012 20:17

I have been using 2 childminders since September part-time for my DD.
We're very happy. They both provide great home-from-home environments and DD is really happy with them. I fully intend to buy the Childminders a Christmas gift but have been wondering whether I need to buy their children gifts as well - there are 5 kids between the two.
What would others do?

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IwishyouaMerryChristmas · 04/12/2012 20:19

In the past I've bought vouchers between the whole family for a restaurant that I know they like, or for the cinema.

SavoyCabbage · 04/12/2012 20:21

I would try and get something they can enjoy as a family.

lisa1968 · 04/12/2012 20:25

It's entirely up to you.
Most of my mindees buy just for me-after all,it is me who's doing the caring,paperwork etc!-but one or two buy for my kids (just a little something) and one parent always buys for DH " cos he has to put up with the kids as well!"
It could work out pricey if there's 5 children to buy for,and us CM's do love a little personal gift just to show appreciation....

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 04/12/2012 20:38

I am a CM and one of my families buy something for my DS and most of the others get something for me.

If I were in your position, I would just get the CMs something small. It gets too silly and too expensive to buy for their entire families. It is a very kind thought on your part! A box of chocolates could be enjoyed by everyone.

forevergreek · 04/12/2012 22:53

I would get something for her, and then a token gift for children ( box of chocolates for everyone to share or something)

leeloo1 · 05/12/2012 14:14

I've had some families buy for me, some for DS, some for both, some for neither. In order of preference I'd say:

1 both of us - showed appreciation of work I do and how hard it is for DS to share his house/toys/family with the mindees. Also recognition that DS is the mindee's friend and playmate.

just DS (he's had toys/books)
just me (I've had flowers, smellies, dish with little one's handprints)
neither (not even a card from some people! :()

But, in your situation it may depend on the age of the CM's children - if they were school age then perhaps the mindees would have less impact on them and there'd be less need to get a gift for them.

If money's an issue then I'd definitely go with a card with personal message for CM - saying how much you appreciate what she does for you (I love cards like this and save them) and a toy/book for the CM's children.

Doraemon · 06/12/2012 19:38

This is my first Christmas cming, and until I read this I wasn't expecting anything more than a card to be honest. Box of chocolates would be nice but I certainly wouldn't expect anything for my children. Am now wondering whether I'm odd....

2tired2bewitty · 06/12/2012 19:42

So am i odd that I'm buying for the other mindees (and the cm)?

coldcupoftea · 06/12/2012 19:43

I'm planning on getting something like a bottle of wine for DD's childminder and a box of christmassy biscuits for them all to share.

coldcupoftea · 06/12/2012 19:45

2tired, it wouldn't occur to me to buy fpr other mindees, any more than I would buy for DD1's school friends. A card would be nice though.

anewyear · 07/12/2012 13:51

As a childminder I certainly wouldnt expect my mindees parents to buy for my kids or any others that may be here.

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