Presents for reception teacher? Yes or no?

Amigoingmad29weeks · 19/12/2023 09:07

You don't have to of course. But all the teachers will have only had the children in the class since Sept...

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 19/12/2023 09:10

Yeh, they've cheerfully dealt with 30 little ferals for the most important 12 weeks of their schooling. And they've done it while singing, smiling, covered in pee and sick, in crazy ratio situations and with the govt setting the most ridiculous education targets that have very little basis in any sort of child development.

Think I can spring for a box of celebrations in that case.

EmptyYoghurtPot · 19/12/2023 09:15

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 19/12/2023 09:10

Yeh, they've cheerfully dealt with 30 little ferals for the most important 12 weeks of their schooling. And they've done it while singing, smiling, covered in pee and sick, in crazy ratio situations and with the govt setting the most ridiculous education targets that have very little basis in any sort of child development.

Think I can spring for a box of celebrations in that case.

You must be an early years teacher! If not, you have wonderful insight.
(An yes, we will do it all again next term because secretly we love it)

Ohdearwhatnow4 · 19/12/2023 09:15

I normally done end of year gifts and made cards for Xmas, but often took Tim of biscuits, chocolates in for the staff room at xmas

Winniespooh · 19/12/2023 09:23

Yes, we do a class gift at Christmas and at the end of school year.

mrssunshinexxx · 19/12/2023 09:28

Parent whatsap asked for. Collection for ours £10 each

Mazuslongtoenail · 19/12/2023 09:30

I did because my child had a fantastic start to school. The reception teacher set the tone and made it enjoyable from day one. That was invaluable to me and I wanted to express how grateful I was for the care and effort that she put into my child’s learning.

MilkChocolateCookie · 19/12/2023 09:30

Yes, personally I would but it's your choice.

Crazycrazylady · 19/12/2023 11:04

We do Xmas and end of year here. Seems fairly standard but normally token gifts. Nothing expensive

ns87 · 19/12/2023 11:13

Idtotallybangdreamoftheendlessnotgonnalie · 19/12/2023 09:10

Yeh, they've cheerfully dealt with 30 little ferals for the most important 12 weeks of their schooling. And they've done it while singing, smiling, covered in pee and sick, in crazy ratio situations and with the govt setting the most ridiculous education targets that have very little basis in any sort of child development.

Think I can spring for a box of celebrations in that case.

100% this

EmptyYoghurtPot · 20/12/2023 07:03

I’m a Reception TA - I have all the children across the week in the shared area. Yesterday I received the most beautiful card with pictures of all the children, made into the outline of a Christmas tree. It’s the most thoughtful thing I’ve received in 30 years working in school. There was a tub of chocs, which I’m grateful for, but the card is something I’ll never forget.

Seren2023 · 20/12/2023 07:15

We do Christmas and end of year small token gift. I am a teacher and know it isn’t expected but I want to do it as DC’s teachers are good, I know how relentless teaching can be and I would like them to feel appreciated. It depends on funds though especially as we are in a cost of living crisis, a homemade card is enough and an email to the teacher and head of key stage thanking them if they have been good is equally lovely, if not better! 🤣 It is awful to get 30 mugs or things you know you will never use. One year, I was given a lovely plant and painted pot.

If you would like ideas for gifts, we have given quite a few National Book Tokens over the years as most of their teachers seemed to buy class books out of their own money, also Costa coffee gift card, a John Lewis gift card when parents clubbed together. This year, my Y5 DD wants to do a pamper kit which consisted of a Garnier sheet mask, hand cream and a lip balm (same brand her teacher uses apparently!)

SparkyBlue · 20/12/2023 07:25

Yes of course. I always give at Christmas and summer

WolfFoxHare · 20/12/2023 07:28

We do something smaller and regiftable at Xmas - nice chocolates or possibly wine - then something bigger at the end of the year (vouchers).

Longma · 20/12/2023 07:29

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Undineimmor · 20/12/2023 07:30

Yes but something other than flowers/choclate/ best teacher mug. Nice smelly candle or something

Itssnacktime · 20/12/2023 07:32

Absolutely. We have a very good parent WhatsApp and one of the Mums organised a collection. It soon added up and we've given a substantial gift card to the teacher and both TA's. Very well deserved! I also give them a box of chocolates with a handwritten card. My daughter has come on leaps and bounds in 12 weeks, imho they deserve a pressie!

LG93 · 20/12/2023 07:38

My DDs reception teacher went on maternity leave 2 weeks ago so they've had a sub for the last 2 weeks of term and the class have given her a leaving present as well as a leaving gift for OG teacher (and the TAs)

StinkerTroll · 20/12/2023 07:39

We always used to plan hyacinth bulbs in Oct half term then if let the spawn go wild with Christmas stickers on the pot, anyways seemed to go down well, I got several reports back from my daughters saying that the plants often lived on their teachers desks and there was often hyacinth growing competitions between the teacher and TA, cheap and personal

AnnieKayTee · 20/12/2023 10:09

The classes have done a collection each where we are. But 4 children in school, £10 per class, I just couldn't afford it.
We've made a decoration each for the class trees and the kids will write a card and I'll send some chocolate in.

DottyLottieLou · 20/12/2023 12:58

Yes and more importantly the overlooked put upon support staff who have to deal with the worst of the behaviour.

Shinyandnew1 · 20/12/2023 13:01

Mistletoeandwineee · 19/12/2023 09:06

Would you give a reception teacher a present for Christmas after your child only being in the class and knowing them since September?

Surely this is the same for just about any primary teacher teaching any group at Christmas -they will only have had your child for one term?!

GreenFields07 · 20/12/2023 14:54

I have but only a box of chocolates as its all I can afford. There's 4 teachers in our reception class, plus iv had to buy 4 nursery staff for younger DCs. I couldnt afford more than that for 8 staff members. Id say a token gift is better than nothing at all, im sure they'd appreciate anything they get.

Bookkeepermum · 20/12/2023 19:37

My daughter is in reception and I got her teachers and teaching assistants a box of roses and a card each. They seemed very grateful and my daughter was chuffed to give them a present. Told cost was £10 and it was worth it to see my daughter face.

Original poster

Mistletoeandwineee · 21/12/2023 00:12

Thanks everyone. I got some gifts for the teacher and TA. I was just wondering if it was a done thing basically!

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