Holiday Tipping of Child Care Workers

Christmas time is a time to remember all those people who help us keep our everyday lives out of chaos by tipping. Those who care for our children while we work or play are some of the most important people in our family's life.

Here is a guide to tipping based on a survey done in Consumer Reports where they surveyed 1,800 American who tip and then asked the social guru Emily Post about the matter.This guide will not tell you what is customary in your local region. Local tipping guides are probably your best way to avoid looking like a scrooge or an overly generous elf this holiday season.

Childcare-

This category is actually broken down between day care worker, babysitter, and nanny. It does not tell you which daycare worker to tip. Most commercial day cares are based on the classroom model. Mrs. Smith "teaches "the two year old class" and so on. Their guide suggests a median forty dollar tip for the daycare teacher.

I would ask the daycare director if tipping is acceptable at all. The daycare teacher probably has a degree in early childhood education and might be insulted that you felt the need to "tip "her. Her assistant in the classroom on the other hand might be making minimum wage and would appreciate the gesture. I would give a 'gift ' of something small from the child to the teacher and possibly give a gift card to a local coffee shop to the rest of the staff that worked with my child.

Babysitter- This is a pretty vague definition. Is this babysitter "Suzy "who watches the kids on Saturday night when you go out to dinner? Is this the girl who watches your children all day while they are on summer break?

Is this old Mrs. Jones who runs the neighborhood daycare out of her home? Each should be treated different. Mrs. Jones might be someone you want to make nice homemade bread for or better yet find out what toy she has been hankering to add to the mix of toys she lets the kids play with. Adding something to entertain the kids at the home daycare might really be appreciated. Otherwise, I would treat her much the same as staff at a commercial daycare.

If Suzy the Saturday night sitter and a teen ager I would probably give her a local gift certificate to a mall. Forty dollars is the 'median" suggested tip for babysitter from the survey parents. Emily Post suggests a night's pay. Check with the child's parents before you tip; remember the teenage babysitter is not an adult and it is the courteous thing to do.

Nanny- A nanny is the childcare worker who comes to your house everyday to watch your child. They may be a student living with you. Most likely you have gotten them a Christmas present as they are practically part of the family. If they are a student they can appreciate any extra cash. A gift certificate to cover a significant amount of books at the local college book store might really be appreciated. Otherwise Emily Post suggests a "weeks" pay. If the nanny travels on family trips with you a gift corticated to the 'spa 'at the resort you plan to stay at might be appreciated as well. Unless 'this is a professional career nanny just remember how it was to be young and working your way through school with no money for self indulgent extras ; and you will find something your nanny will appreciate getting.

http://www.examiner.com/x-260-Seattle-Parenting-Examiner~y2008m12d21-Holiday-tipping-guide-for-babysitters-nannies-and-daycare-workers

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/money/shopping/shopping-tips/holiday-tipping/overview/holiday-tipping-ov.htm

http://www.emilypost.com/everyday/holiday_tipping.htm