Daycare goodbye gift
My son is leaving his daycare where he has been for the last 4 years (since 3 months old) since he is moving on to summer camps and then Kindergarten. I have another kid, who is preschool age, who will remain in daycare for another 2 years. It is a small in-home daycare with 2 main caregivers and we loved it enough to stay there from newborn age till it is time to leave for school. BPN is full of advice for nanny goodbye gifts, but what do people do for daycares/preschools, esp. in a situation where the family been there so long and remains with the daycare because of a younger sibling and older child would likely continue going there (space permitting) during school vacations, so it is not a complete goodbye. I was thinking a card/picture from the child and cash gift for the two caregivers (about double what we usually give for the holidays), but feel a little awkward doing a cash good bye gift when we still have a kid there and the "graduating" kid will return there during school breaks. I guess I'm looking to see if others have done it, and if money is ok in this situation. I hate shopping but can get something if needed.
Parent Replies
Personally, I think cash is the ideal gift for this situation. Think of it as the 'universal gift card.' Money plus card/photo is the ideal way to express gratitude and recognize this milestone. You can always write on the card "please use this to buy yourself something you will love" or something along those lines.
The group of parents for our “graduating class” purchased a new play structure; perhaps there is some equipment, which might help to enhance their program, and which they desire. That, and a sparkling BPN and/or ND review would be a nice gift.
I have been in almost exactly that same situation (at an in-home daycare, older kid leaving but occasionally came back, younger kid stayed for a bit longer). I think a cash gift is totally fine - and I would guess appreciated. I think the fact that a younger sibling is staying is somewhat irrelevant, you should treat them how you would based just on the kid in question. I also think the fact that the older kid will be coming back occasionally is irrelevant too. That will likely decrease over time, so making a call as to when to give a “good bye” gift after those occasions would be more awkward/likely not happen.