I want to do something nice for my day care, will they be offended?

My son's new day care center will close for two days in Feb so the staff can attend a training conference together. In our state, they must all have 16 hrs of training annually and CPR/First Aid (not counted as part of the 16 hours of development training). I have worked in day care before and worked as a resource person for day care/parents-I know how tough the job is and I truely appreciate them for doing this-hey my child will benefit directly if they keep up with training. The owner of the center and I talked one night at p/up and she was saying that some staff fuss a bit for the cost of the training and getting a room and see it as a burden. Since the owner has a limited budget (if you find a way to make big $$$ in day care-let me know) she can't cover all the costs. It was just a talk, but now it has me thinking. Would it be wrong, or impolite, to give the center a Visa gift card to help with gas and lodging on the training trip? I want to show my support, not ruffle feathers!

Thanks for the input-I should have said it would be done in a discreet manner. The owner and I met at an Early Childhood summit so I think she was ok with venting a bit to me. As for day care and it's affects-as a social worker with an educational background in child development, I can assure you that quality day care does a lot to build great kids who are well adjusted, positive members of society. If you are lucky enough to stay home-then great. The rest of us who must work to support our families know that the struggle to find a good day care is not easy and that most of us are greatful to have the chance to partner with teachers who care about and understand our children. In this day and age, most mommies have to work and I can say that the research I have read shows that children actually benefit from attending a good day care. I guess that is why several stay home mom's send their kids to the one I use:)

Coming from a former preschool teacher who now has a day care in her home, that is an extremely generous and thoughtful idea. I can't imagine that anyone would be offended, especially if you were giving discreetly. I wish more parents were as considerate as you!

Cassandra, you need to shut your trap! There is no excuse for the hatred and nastiness you continuously spread to working parents. I feel sorry for your children, it must be incredibly stifling and painful to live with someone who is so judgmental and condescending.

It would probably be appreciated more than you would ever know. Just don't make a public display of it. Do it discreetly. I'm sure they would love it, especially if it's enclosed in a card saying just what you said here. I appreciate that you do this and I know how tough your job is. This is my way of thanking you for all you do.

no, i think they would appreciate it, just let them know that you appreciate all their help and what they do for you and your son, and you want to help them out.

I think thats a pretty nice way of showing your appreciation to them for taking care of your child and especially if you know how hard it is. I that's nice. I think you should do it, and she would not be offended.

No, I think they would appreciate your generosity!

You have a very kind heart and and I am sure they would appreciate the help. Just make sure no other parents are around. They may not want everyone to know the situation. The owner may just feel very comfortable with you. Exellent idea!!!

i think it is a good idea....i ran a preschool for kids in a day care......taking care of the kids 6 weeks to 4yrs so that the owner could get some rest and work done (she worked 7 days a week to make money/ day care m-f and cooked for a nursing home sat and sun).......i think that it is always nice when parents and helpers want to do something with the right heart.......i did fund raisers with the parents for special things to and had them all sign a card (kids too) when we presented a gift card that we had earned money to buy that is also an idea.

What a lovely, thoughtful gesture! I don't think they'll be offended at all.

Edit to post: Cassandra, get over yourself, puhleeze. That this woman is sympathetic to her child's caregivers, speaks volumes about her parenting abilities and her relationship with her own child and, frankly, I don't think anyone is at risk. Day care is a necessity for many of us and few of us appreciate your pathetic remarks about the damage you feel we're inflicting. I'm assuming that you're sitting on your butt in front of your computer while your children are playing unsupervised in the living room, vying for your attention. How, pray tell, is that better than a reputable daycare? Good grief.

Edit to post #2: Cassandra, the question was a "yes or no" question, not an invitation by the asker for you to weigh in on the subject of daycare.

I'm sure you feel you've got the market cornered on producing quality children by virtue of the fact that you were able to stay home and raise them. Let's all agree to check back in a decade or so to see which of our children have made the most positive contributions to society.

In the meantime, do please spare us all your sanctimonious drivel. Daycare is a necessity for many, and not because the parents are "materialistic." Most of them work simply to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. And many of them WISH they could stay at home with their children. When you spew your particular brand of poison directed at the working parents, you really only serve to divide and weaken all parents. Shame on you.

Send the card. If they don't use it for the trip, they can use it for other supplies. Just send it to the owner's attention with a note - something along the lines of "Just to show appreciation" so she can use it as they see fit.

I agree with the idea of going for it, but doing it discreetley.. you are too sweet.

LEGALLYBLONDE- You took the words right out of my mouth, I couldnt have said it better to Cassandra myself... and Im a SAHM!!

I can't see how a gift would ruffle feathers.

If you want, you could always do it anonymously.

Visa Gift Cards are the best and you can get one for free from
http://urlx.org/directtrack.com/f70d9 . All you have to do is fill out the survey and you will receive one. I got my visa gift card from that site and it is working really well for
me.

Since young children are terribly harmed by separation from mommy of more than ten hours a week, you should put your money towards raising your own child.

nice try - legally blonde - but at 14 and 9 years old, my kids are too bright to spend their time watching t.v. And since their mom's actually raised them, they don't need to be plugged in and gotten out of the way.

Thanks for your concern, tho!

Oh, yeah, and all us parents raising our own children are getting pretty tired of the pathetic society day care users are creating, peopled by a bunch of materialistic, aggressive, poorly bonded, less intelligent, more depressed, anxious, and sociopathic peers!