Preschool teachers - what's the best way to contribute?

[LimeWire]

Hi all,

My son has the most amazing preschool teachers. I've just received a bonus at work, and I'd love to donate it to the school.

But I don't know what is the most appropriate way to give them the money (£1,000). I don't want recognition or anything. i just want the teachers to know it's because I'm so grateful for the little school. I know they are chronically underfunded, underpaid, and overworked, so it would be a small gesture.

Is there a proper way to gift money? They do little fundraisers throughout the year but it might seem a bit odd to give that much in a fundraiser when they're expecting a tenner.

I also have diagnosed anxiety, so it could be I'm massively overthinking it.

Are you gifting money to a school? A private nursery? To the staff?

Personally, I wouldn't give it all to the nursery (and I bloody love my son's nursery) but I'd spend most of it on your son. When my DS left his first room, I spent about £100 on new books for the room which they said were hugely appreciated.

We were given £100 towards drinks for our work Xmas night which was hugely appreciated and loved by all staff as took a bit of pressure off at an expensive time of year.

Maybe just ask, speak to the manager and see if there is any bigger equipment they need or would cash to buy smaller resources be appreciated.

Speak to the manager, they or their accountant/ trustee/ whoever it is set up will know the best way to make the donation.
My dd went to an amazing preschool and we made a donation, some in cash, some in equipment.

Thanks all! I'm not originally from the UK, so I don't know the appropriate culture. Thanks for weighing in x

Not sure, to be honest. It's a private nursery, but it's run as a non-profit.

I have made a large (not quite that large) donation to a charity preschool before - I asked the manager whether there was something specific I could buy or if she’d like a cheque to choose something herself. She asked for the money as then she can buy through a trade account or something. It paid for a couple of pieces of big equipment they needed, some resources for children with SEN and some new puzzles.

It didn’t especially benefit the staff though, and actually I asked that they didn’t know it was from me, they thought the new equipment was just bought by preschool from their ordinary funds. I loved the staff, and I bought them some thank you goodies as well, but my donation was intended to help ensure the preschool continued for future children in the village.

I’m not clear if you want to support/thank the staff, or support the ongoing work of the preschool/charity. They’re subtly different things. Once you’re clear what you want to achieve I’d speak to the manager, I’m sure they’d be delighted to have a conversation about how best you could contribute.