Nursery Staff going on ML- Ideas for a gift please?

[Gilberte]

I usually give my DC's keyworker a small gift at Christmas(usually chocolates) and have given previous workers bottles of wine but DC's current key worker is pregnant and Im not sure what to give her when she leaves.

Obviously I could buy some baby clothes but they might not be to her taste and she might get loads anyway. I'd quite like to get her something she really needs and was wondering about vouchers for Mothercare but wondered if that might be inappropriate(not sure whether it's too impersonal or simply whether staff are not supposed to accept monetary gifts).

Has anyone been in this position. If so what did you buy? If you are a nursery worker in this position what would you really like to be given?

Any ideas would be appreciated please.

[drivingmisscrazy]

2 women at DD's nursery have recently had babies - one of them the woman who has looked after DD since she started there, and of whom she is very fond. I thought long and hard about this, and came to the conclusion that I didn't want to embarrass them with gifts, or put them in a position where they might feel that they needed to reciprocate (or even consider this) - we have DD2 due later in the year. Not least because I know how badly they are paid relative to me. So we just settled for a card in the end. Others may feel differently, but this is what felt right to me.

[Jojo1983]

A card is always nice with maybe a photo of the child in their for them to remember them by if they are not returning after ML. If however you would still like to get a present then I would see nothing wrong with a mothercare voucher at least then they can buy something they need/want or nappies etc. I am currently pregenant and work in a nursery. Hope this helps.

[drivingmisscrazy]

Jojo1983 I think my position is probably informed by the fact that I know both of them are returning to work - if they were leaving I probably would give them a gift - vouchers a good idea.

[Jojo1983]

Or if you dont want to go down the voucher root why not do them a basket of things they are going to need ie cotton wool, bottom cream etc with a few bits for them chocolate, bubble bath??

[Gilberte]

I think the nursery nurse concerned is returning to work but she will no longer be working with DD1 and she has helped her a lot so I would like to do something for her.
Thanks for the suggestions Jojo, the basket thing is a good idea. You can never have too many muslins etc can you and chocolate is always a good idea.

If I can't get it together in time I will get a card and voucher though. I think the amount doesn't get printed in the card nowadays and I'd feel more comfortable with that.

I'll get DD to make a card I think.

[MovingAndScared]

My DS's primary school teacher was pregnant and I got her a boots voucher - she seemed to really appriciate it - they have really nice baby clothes etc and if she wanted to spend it on herself she could

[Bibbit]

Hand cream! Always need more than you think'

[Kidybabyboom]

I agree, boots vouchers are best! can pay towards last minute baby essentials like sterilisers, baby listeners, thermometers that are too expensive for one person to buy. Also, if monies tight, boots are reasonably competitive on nappies etc so they can b a massive help with essentials. They are valid in photo dept and for frames/albums too. Mum could also treat herself! Finally, with all the great advantage card offers, they could even get themselves freebies along the way. Win, win, all-round

[inmysparetime]

How about getting a nappy cake? They are useful bits and bobs packaged and rolled up to look like cake. Very clever, might only be in the north west though.