Gifts for teaching and nursery staff

Sorry but I think giving something that can only be used if the recipients spend money is not much of a gift.

My SIL is a TA. My birthday is in August, I'm certain my presents are re-gifted lol

I remember when I worked in school/nursery the "gifts" were taken straight to the nearest charity shop

When we've had family members in hospital or care home we have always given gifts to the staff.
I don't work in schools any more but I was a secondary teacher so therefore not as many gifts as primary but I've got a box with cards from the kids over the years and I've kept them. I can't eat chocolates or biscuits but i always appreciated the thought.

A card and a Costa gift card last year. We don't normally do gifts for teachers, but made an exception last year because my daughter genuinely liked her and she came on leaps and bounds in her class. Plus she was genuinely open to anything we spoke to her about.

She will shortly be stopping going to the nursery/after school care she's been going to since she was 6 months old so I do want to get them something nice when she leaves as they have been a second family for her whole life.

Definitely mentions to head or nursery manager. And a card which makes me feel 'seen', certain specifics the parent has noticed 'She's grown so much more confident and I know you've had a lot to do with that' or things child may have told them like 'I love Miss Marigold's stories at story time' or 'I was really touched when Ella said you'd brought in ice lollies for them'.

I say this as a teaching professional. Alcohol is most welcome.

Contrary to popular opinion on this thread, I always liked a mug gift! I was given two lovely mugs by children I taught - one from my first year as an NQT, and one from my last year teaching before I decided to switch career. They are beautiful mugs, my favourite ones in the cupboard, I use them all the time, and they remind me of the lovely kids who gave them to me.

I also really appreciated a notebook as a teacher. My favourite notebook I was given was a very simple one with a plain brown cover that the little girl had decorated with my name and some lovely drawings. Other favourites - flowers picked from the garden, homemade jam, a decoration that a child had sewn herself.

I reckon most primary school teachers would also love decent books for their classroom. Nobody ever gave me books, but I would have LOVED that. School budgets are so tight. You could ask them for a classroom wishlist?

I usually pick up on things they say throughout the year and get something related.

This year I know one teacher does lego with her dd and is a keen birdwatcher so I've got her a lego kingfisher (she has went above and beyond this year so its a bit more than I would usually spend). Another teacher lost a scarf and was upset about it as she couldn't find it again online, I've managed to track one down.

Previous years have been a particular book the teacher mentioned a lot and didn't have , sweets from a different country that the teacher was missing, lego flowers, a book nook building kit and much more (20 years of kids going to school).

I always try and get something personal (apart from the very rare occassion the teacher has been awful and they get a generic box of chocoates, only because the kids like giving gifts).

Best received nursery from our stint there was always a bag of little treats - enough for one gift per nursery staff. Stuff like a nice tin of hot chocolate, a little bottle of Prosecco, mini handcreams, a couple of £5 gift cards for costa/Starbucks, box of truffles… So everyone gets something a bit different/can choose something they actually like but it doesn’t need the effort of figuring out what everyone does like!

Coffee gift cards to the nearby café.

Tbh I'm not very impressed this year by the teachers but of course our daughter also want to bring gifts in like her friends.
The class buy a shared gift as well.
In my opinion it's a bit to much.
Last year of primary...

I am a teacher and know very well there is a huge difference between people who get the job done and people who put their heart and soul into helping shape your child. I am very aware of the difference and would genuinely want to give a present to the ones who made a difference. The ones who just got on with the job, not so much. That’s just the truth.

What a nasty reply!

Did you include a large supply of pods?
If not then I suspect it sat in a corner unused.

but many jobs do that like nhs staff and they cannot accept gifts.

Yes we can.

For nursery practitioners on a minimum wage vouchers for somewhere useful are massively appreciated or otherwise a nice card but please, no more key-rings.

I hate threads like this because I’ve never got a ‘best teacher’ mug and would really like one 😁I honestly am so grateful for any gift though. Even if it’s something I might not personally love (like alcohol) I still absolutely appreciate it and just quietly regift it. I’d never be cross or ungrateful for a gift no matter what it was. The absolute best is a kind email with the head CCd in though.

Gift voucher for somewhere like m and s. Definitely not mugs, candles or best teacher merchandise!

When dd was in nursery she painted some decorations ( flat bauble type), made a card and added some Thorntons smiles. She gave one each to the TA that was her key person, and the reo that did the onsite afternoon extra session that we paid for. I also gave a box of biscuits to the head for the staff room. When they left one of the parents organised a collection and they got vouchers for all the staff to have afternoon tea.

In primary I think she made something one or two years ( would have been her choice) , and we put chocolates with it. Other years I did Costa vouchers, which seemed to go down well, for both her teacher and the classroom TA/s.

We included biscuits for the staff room each time too. That way there was a chance staff that were less likely to receive gifts could also have a share ( lunch staff, caretaker, secretary etc).

There were a few years she chose things such as keyrings themed with something she knew the teacher liked.

It is their chosen profession. I understand gratitude and getting a gift like a retirement or leaving one, but giving a gift every year seems OTT. I never said about a card that is thoughtful, but it seems excessive to give gifts and one person said they even gave teachers Christmas gifts. A student gifting teachers is very odd to me. Parents gifting a teacher is 1 thing, but students doing it is not. I just do not see the need to buy gifts and have read about it and some parents at posh schools love to compete and want to show off giving the "best" gift. It is a chosen vocation and yes, it is hard and unpaid overtime, but many jobs do that like nhs staff and they cannot accept gifts. I'd never have wanted to gift any HS teacher a gift.

I used to work in a school and loved John Lewis vouchers,

So my nursery has 12 staff

One year I got them all a mini bottle of prosecco or some bath salts, a face mask and a chocolate bar each

Another time I did chrimbo mug filled with celebrations

Once it was a small gift from Lush each

I know they normally do a big meal out together so might just put some money in an envelope and say to buy a couple of bottles

I do like the idea of getting something for the nursery though maybe some gardening bits and lots of seeds with a cute note... thank you for helping me grow...

Karaoke booth vouchers 😆

We normally have a class collection and give vouchers with a few small generic gifts - flowers/chocs/wine and a small keepsake from the class e.g. a book all the kids write a message/do a drawing in. Vouchers are split with a proportion going to teacher, TA (if there is one) and office/support staff.
Gifts were always a thing for teachers at Christmas and end of term, although when I was at school, most gave individual gifts.

Papier is gorgeous for stationery (just discovered it since my previous fave Paperchase closed!)

And to the PP who said why should you get them gifts, you can't compare them to most jobs, they're looking after and shaping the most precious thing in the world to you! In any event I have a 'normal' job and people get me cards/gifts sometimes which I love, especially when it's a nice card expressing gratitude, it really lifts your spirits!

@OneBlossomBee Every teacher will tell you that although gifts are nice, what they value are cards and messages. Does it really seem unreasonable to you to give a card to someone who has worked with and helped your child throughout the year (or 2 years for my year 11s)?