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Original poster

Gifts for teaching and nursery staff

68 replies

Eldermileniummam · 23/06/2025 11:49

What do you give at the end of the year?

If you work in a school or nursery, what are the gifts you honestly appreciate the most?

OP posts:
CarpeVitam · 23/06/2025 22:45

OneBlossomBee · 23/06/2025 13:09

Why do they need gifts? Teachers didn't get gifts when I went to school and it honestly seems odd to give them a present. Is it not their job to teach/look after your child? They chose to do that profession and get paid like everybody else. You pay for your child to go to nursery. Is this the expected norm now? I understand appreciation and maybe a leaving/retirement gift that people pitch in for, but to gift every year for a job they do is odd. Surely there are also rules about accepting gifts like in other jobs. This modern trend is strange and seems to come across from America, the ultimate consumer land.

🙄

lochmaree · 23/06/2025 22:10

When my eldest left his preschool last year we got his key worker a gift voucher. We give our CM vouchers and usually wine or bath stuff for Christmas each year (she is incredible tho and regularly helps us out / goes above and beyond). My eldest is at school now and has 4 teaching staff in his class so not sure what I'll do. At Christmas I gave some handmade fabric baskets (I sew). I might do tote bags or something for end of term but it's already near here so I better get a move on. 😬

Ihaveacatwhoisfat · 23/06/2025 21:31

Surely there are also rules about accepting gifts like in other jobs.

We’re talking chocolate, wine maybe, biscuits, vouchers, pens, not large sums of cash. There are no restrictions there. As a nurse we’re allowed to accept any of those.

Original poster
Eldermileniummam · 23/06/2025 21:25

Blarn · 23/06/2025 14:00

When our last dc left their nursery we got them a pod coffee machine, i think it was a Tassimo that did things other than coffee. Went down really well.

Sounds amazing

OP posts:
Saucery · 23/06/2025 14:14

Surely there are also rules about accepting gifts like in other jobs

Gifts over £25 in my LA iirc. That’s an individual gift, whole or part class collections where each family gives less than that is ok. Anything else has to be declared. Safeguarding issue.

Blarn · 23/06/2025 14:01

Dc at school now and they make a card and I get vouchers. One class we pool together for one voucher.

Blarn · 23/06/2025 14:00

When our last dc left their nursery we got them a pod coffee machine, i think it was a Tassimo that did things other than coffee. Went down really well.

KL29 · 23/06/2025 13:59

OneBlossomBee · 23/06/2025 13:09

Why do they need gifts? Teachers didn't get gifts when I went to school and it honestly seems odd to give them a present. Is it not their job to teach/look after your child? They chose to do that profession and get paid like everybody else. You pay for your child to go to nursery. Is this the expected norm now? I understand appreciation and maybe a leaving/retirement gift that people pitch in for, but to gift every year for a job they do is odd. Surely there are also rules about accepting gifts like in other jobs. This modern trend is strange and seems to come across from America, the ultimate consumer land.

I’m 34 and I always got my teachers end of year and Christmas gifts. It’s not a new thing!

Original poster
Eldermileniummam · 23/06/2025 13:57

notyourmummy · 23/06/2025 12:54

We do a class gift but my daughter likes to make something individual too, this year she's making bookmarks. As a TA myself, pens are always the best gifts I get!!!! With bookmarks/notebooks a close second.

We do a class gift but my daughter likes to make something individual too, this year she's making bookmarks. As a TA myself, pens are always the best gifts I get!!!! With bookmarks/notebooks a close second.

Stationary is a good shout

They get so much wine, mugs, keyrings, chocolate. - sometimes I’m lucky enough to be regifted some of these from them haha!

I don't really give people useless tat like this anyway!

To my CM a very generous amount vouchers or cash, luxury chocolates and wine. Handmade cards

I think a CM is different as it's one person and you can give them a nice gift but at nursery there are at least six members of staff in the room plus a manager and office staff then at school there are 3 teachers and 3 TAs as they all work part time and I don't have the budget for 12 generous individual gifts.

Why do they need gifts?

I know what you mean but it does seem to be the norm!

When everyone (who wants to!) clubs together for some cash for a voucher. A friendly parent has come to ask me which shop and then I am able to get myself something special and think of the lovely generous parents.

I agree

OP posts:
ethelredonagoodday · 23/06/2025 13:55

I’m past the age now where we buy gifts as both children are in secondary, but nearly all the way through school, a group of us would club together and get vouchers for the staff. They were always very well received.

teachermum23 · 23/06/2025 13:51

When everyone (who wants to!) clubs together for some cash for a voucher. A friendly parent has come to ask me which shop and then I am able to get myself something special and think of the lovely generous parents.

OneBlossomBee · 23/06/2025 13:09

Why do they need gifts? Teachers didn't get gifts when I went to school and it honestly seems odd to give them a present. Is it not their job to teach/look after your child? They chose to do that profession and get paid like everybody else. You pay for your child to go to nursery. Is this the expected norm now? I understand appreciation and maybe a leaving/retirement gift that people pitch in for, but to gift every year for a job they do is odd. Surely there are also rules about accepting gifts like in other jobs. This modern trend is strange and seems to come across from America, the ultimate consumer land.

AnnaBalfour · 23/06/2025 13:02

To my CM a very generous amount vouchers or cash, luxury chocolates and wine. Handmade cards

Blueballoon02 · 23/06/2025 12:59

I’m going to be honest (not a teacher or nursery staff but many family members and friends are)

They get so much wine, mugs, keyrings, chocolate. - sometimes I’m lucky enough to be regifted some of these from them haha!

But they love gift cards or lovely cards with kind messages about how much they are appreciated.

notyourmummy · 23/06/2025 12:54

We do a class gift but my daughter likes to make something individual too, this year she's making bookmarks. As a TA myself, pens are always the best gifts I get!!!! With bookmarks/notebooks a close second.

Original poster
Eldermileniummam · 23/06/2025 12:14

Thanks @Saucery Voucher could work for the DC in primary as we have a WhatsApp group for the parents and we all know each other but for nursery we don't have that so I usually do a card and some chocolates but I'm sure they get loads of chocolates and sweets.

OP posts:
Ihaveacatwhoisfat · 23/06/2025 12:13

My cousin is a TA and says she does not need or want any more mugs or key rings.

Saucery · 23/06/2025 11:56

Honestly, a card with a message from parents who think I’ve done a good job, acknowledge all the extras like (unpaid) residentials, thanks for being part of the team taking care of their child - whether that’s in Reception or Yr6. Or even an email to the Head mentioning my name. If parents don’t want to, that’s absolutely fine! If a child is capable, a little handwritten card from them is lovely.
‘Best’ presents have been vouchers, as a class gift, but it really isn’t necessary.