To give nursery teacher cash instead of a gift?

[JS5332]

Nursery teacher who has been DS’s key worker for almost 2 years has been incredible. He needs more adult support than is typical and they have a very strong bond. We are so grateful for how much effort she has put in and the genuine love and care she has shown my DS. So my question is, would it be weird to give her cash instead of a gift when he leaves at the end of summer term to go to school in September?? I know EY teachers are woefully underpaid for what they do (IMO) so I’m thinking it would be like a cash bonus you get in other types of jobs? Or would it just be seen as really weird and inappropriate? I was thinking £250.

particularly interested in the views of any EY teachers and any ideas for gifts/alternatives if money is inappropriate. She really has done so much for DS ❤️

They very probably won’t be allowed to accept it.

I doubt they'll be allowed to accept it. Just give a gift token or something

She may not be allowed to keep that. Our policy is anything worth over £50 is to be handed over.

School or private nursery? Best to check the rules with management before causing upset/awkwardness.

£250 is way over the top. DS is a primary school teacher and is often given vouchers - Boots, Halfords, amazon - but only for the cost of a gift, say £25. I think if you have been that pleased with the nursery you should give them a donation to buy some new equipment.

@Iminthemoneylife hadnt even thought of that to be honest but you’re probably right. It’s a private independent nursery rather than a school or chain so they’d probably be more flexible than most.

perhaps a gift token is the way to go. Lots of us mums discussed what we’d got as gifts last year and there were a lot of candles!!

At my kids’ school, teachers were regularly getting class vouchers of £200 plus. They just had to declare it.

Lots of places have a limit on how much you can accept as a gift.

That amount is very generous, but I would feel uncomfortable giving or receiving such an amount.

You could perhaps give it in his /her name as a donation ? Then they could buy nice resources to use - let's face it, the amount of cuts means it's difficult to get the good stuff sometimes!

I would write a letter to the teacher and the principal letting them know exactly what they have done to enrich the lives of your child and family. For me, seeing the impact I've made on a pupil and their family is so valuable, and something I will treasure forever. It's also great if the principal gets to hear how great theyve been!

I would go for a £30 -.£50 gift voucher for her personally, maybe one of the Asda gift cards printed with clothes so the implication is "get yerself something nice" but she can also just use it for a weekly shop and free her own cash up elsewhere.

I say gift card as cash will likely not be allowed.

I would also consider a cash donation for equipment / training to the nursery, along with a big staff room stash of biscuits!

It’s a very kind gesture OP, but I would worry about a cash gift of that value causing upset with the nursery worker’s colleagues. Whilst your DS has a bond with this specific teacher, there’s no doubt the others work just as hard and likely won’t receive the same kind of gift. I can see it creating some resentment amongst their colleagues.

If gifting money to nursery teachers/assistants became the norm it would open up a whole can of worms. Whether intentionally or not, children with wealthier parents seen as more likely to give expensive gifts or large cash amounts could be prioritised or favoured.

I’d show your appreciation by giving a personalised, small gift and give a letter/card with your thanks.

Something about cash seems a bit uncomfortable to be honest but I think a gift voucher would be ok.

My kids are at school and their teachers usually get a giftcard worth £250 for Christmas and end of term from the class. I'd get a gift card.

You could load a gift card - for example M&S but not include the receipt in the envelope and then she won't know how generous your gift is until she goes in store to use it and checks the balance.

Lots of lovely food treats at M&S.

That's lovely of you.I think gift vouchers rather than cash. If you pop them in a card, with no values detailed, she won't need to tell other staff, only if she wants.

thanks for all the replies. Perhaps an Amazon gift voucher or similar for the nursery so they can use it for supplies or similar and then a more personal gift or voucher for the actual teacher is more appropriate.

dont want to do something over the topic or that causes issues as negates the point of the gift. Am just so grateful for how amazing she has been!

I would do a gift card but one where the amount is not obviously displayed on the card
Then load it with 250 if you can so she's not knowingly not telling the boss and when she opens it they will just think oh its a £20 gift card or whatever. Or give cash but tell her to open it in private at home.

Great minds think alike!

I work at a nursery and if you gave that to me I would never forget it and would be very grateful.

Lots of good perspectives here so glad I asked!

I think doing something underhand like that is wrong. It’s trying to dodge the system snd she will be embarrassed when she sees the amount. Which, obviously, she will. Then what does she do? It’s over the top and still might need to be declared. Most employees are genuinely happy with a more modest gift. Give to the nursery itself if you want to give more.

I would, and have, given a £50 gift card to my DC nursery key workers on leaving. £250 while very kind and generous, is OTT. They may also not be allowed to keep a gift of that size due to their internal gifts and hospitality rules).

It’s often different for a collective gift.

This is really unfair and puts the worker in a really awkward position - they have to declare gifts and their monetary value. She can't do that if she doesn't know the amount on the card.

That seems a very high amount. I’d get a gift voucher though not cash

I think its lovely you want to acknowledge all the support this individual has given and it will likely mean a lot to them taht their efforts have been recognised. Can you email the school and ask if they have a policy on gifts/amounts? I would also say a gift card over cash and just choose one that can be used in multiple places that might be useful and/or a treat.