What does your childcare/ preschool do for birthdays?

[Kimmyann]

The 4 years my son was in daycare/ preschool they didn't do anything unless I brought in cupcakes. Heck 1 year I brought in cupcakes and he didn't even get one! He got picked up before they had snack that day.

[ohgirlohboyohno]

At Paid pre-school PArker's birthday was on a Friday - I spoke with the teacher and she was going to be out that day for a Dr. appointment and was really bummed she would miss his birthday so we had it on the following Monday (his Birthday is in Sept, so she barely had a couple weeks with him yet she was still super excited to celebrate his big day)....

For Emma we were in Head start (public school pre-school)...on her actual "day" they had a crown for her and lots of fun exciting singing, sticker etc. But they don't allow cupcakes so we couldn't do that. But they DIDmake it a special day for sure!!

[keen1981]

Out of the 25 kids in my sons class- I'd be irked if cupcakes were served at every birthday. To be honest. :/

He goes 3x a week. And no food treats are allowed. You may bring pencils or whatever but no food. To be honest 1/2 the kids are over weight, so I'm fine with this. And we limit sugar junk for our kids... and since no one was asking if i WAnTED my kid to have a cupcake- at 3pm.... I'd be really bothered.

We also have a strong healthy food initiative in Cali. So I really don't ever need to worry about cupcakes for birthdays.

On the crown thing- some do- some don't.

Next time maybe ASK what they do? Instead of assuming you could rearrange the day to fit your needs? At the center my kids go to (when daddy is deployed) they have very strict snack times and shift changes.

If it were me- I'd have spoken with the director of the preschool- prior. Kwim?

Sorry it was a bummer. But she probably didn't notice

[d_arnold]

Our experience is probably a little different because DD goes to a licensed in-home daycare. They have 12 kids and celebrate everyone's bday. It's a fun time for them to feel special.

All the kids usually bring a small gift for the birthday boy or girl and they sing to them. It's always on a Friday and Fridays they get a special snack anyway so it's fun.

[alsatia23]

I don't expect schools to make a big deal out of my kids birthdays, it's not their job to, they are there to care for and teach the children. That being said, my son desperately wanted to invite half of his friends from preschool to his birthday party, but we couldn't do that (it's everyone or no-one and everyone was too many) so instead I asked if it would be okay for me to take cupcakes instead so he could celebrate at preschool with his friends. They allowed that and they sang him happy birthday. More than necessary IMHO, though I was grateful because it made him happy. I don't plan on making it a yearly ordeal though.

[luvsviola]

My daughters school makes the birthday kiddo a crown, kiddo leads calendar, kiddo is the line leader and snack helper, and is essentially first for everything. There are only 15 kids in the class, so it's not like it is someone's birthday every day. The only cost is the crown. Line leader and snack helper is free!

They do not allow cupcakes--too messy.

[Dmpmercury]

My kids preschool does cupcakes during snack time and a crown but they don't sing happy birthday or make the day all about the birthday child. The other preschool didn't do a crown or cupcakes. They only allow cupcakes not cake at ds's preschool and they don't have a party for the child. Our family celebrates but I don't need the preschool to. I actually would prefer it if they dropped doing cupcakes. With over 20 kids that is a lot of sweets that get brought in throughout the year.

[jeebee]

Originally Posted by keen1981 Out of the 25 kids in my sons class- I'd be irked if cupcakes were served at every birthday. To be honest. :/ He goes 3x a week. And no food treats are allowed. You may bring pencils or whatever but no food. To be honest 1/2 the kids are over weight, so I'm fine with this. And we limit sugar junk for our kids... and since no one was asking if i WAnTED my kid to have a cupcake- at 3pm.... I'd be really bothered. We also have a strong healthy food initiative in Cali. So I really don't ever need to worry about cupcakes for birthdays. On the crown thing- some do- some don't. Next time maybe ASK what they do? Instead of assuming you could rearrange the day to fit your needs? At the center my kids go to (when daddy is deployed) they have very strict snack times and shift changes. If it were me- I'd have spoken with the director of the preschool- prior. Kwim? Sorry it was a bummer. But she probably didn't notice

The school asks to please provide mini cupcakes or a small treat for the birthday. I don't actually see it as such a big deal since there are only about 16 kids in the group, so that is 16 cupcakes a year. Less than one every two weeks. In my opinion nothing wrong with that. Especially since I bake them myself.

Also I did ask them when was a convenient time, and she said afternoon snack and she suggested that as the time they would do it because it was right after nap, which happened to suit me as well. And then she wasn't even around. I was just surprised to find that they did nothing at all to make the child feel like it was their special day.

I am a bit bummed this year because she's moved up to an older group and I don't like either of the teachers. They are both just a little odd in personality and not very warm. She loved her teachers last year.

[cmarsh31]

24 kids in DD's program (Montessori) - they do a very special birthday walk (parents and siblings come), songs, vanilla ice cream cones (only vanilla, no cupcakes, etc - they have gf cones and non-milk alternatives as needed), plus a special sign, etc. It's a wonderful celebration that we enjoy every year.

I'd be totally upset that her special day wasn't celebrated

[jbug_4]

Originally Posted by jeebee The school asks to please provide mini cupcakes or a small treat for the birthday. I don't actually see it as such a big deal since there are only about 16 kids in the group, so that is 16 cupcakes a year. Less than one every two weeks. In my opinion nothing wrong with that. Especially since I bake them myself.

Some people are not ok with their kids getting cupcakes that often. Just because you are ok with it doesn't mean others are. I understand wanting to celebrate but not every body celebrates the same way which is only one of the reasons that a lot of places don't make a big deal out of b-days. DD's current school (actual elementary school) recommends bringing in non-food items for b-days but its not a rule. They don't sing happy b-day and don't do anything at all other than serve whatever treat the parent brought in. Some teachers might make them line leaders for the day, but that is purely up to the teacher. I'd prefer a no treat rule because 1. we are not ok with cupcakes every 2 weeks and 2. my dd as well as another child in her class has food allergies. So every time a parent brings in lovely frosting (and usually sprinkle covered) cupcakes my dd and the other kid in class has to watch all their friends eat the lovely cupcakes while they eat whatever snack they had for that day. Even if the parent took precautions in making the cupcakes my dd would still not be allowed to eat them. After the 2nd time in 2 weeks my dd came home bummed because her class had cupcakes I provided her teacher with oreos for those occasions. I am also not ok with her eating oreos often either. I'd really prefer that not do crowns either just make them line leader or class helper- this is more for when actual school starts though. There are lots of kids with summer b-days that don't get to participate because they aren't in school.

I am sorry that you did not get what you expected but they really aren't their to celebrate b-days. hopefully she had a great b-day! Oh btw when i was teaching the only way I remember all the b-days was to have it on the classroom board calendar AND a separate decorated display made up each month. I know all our children are special but a teacher or childcare provider sees thousands of kids in their career. And while I loved all the kids in my care to be completely honest only a few actually stick out in my mind, the rest start to run together.