Gift for a childminder

[AnxietyLevelMax]

what would you get as a thank you gift for a childminder?
she has been taking care of our dc for 3.5 years, and in a few months she will be taking care of our another dc. She lives down the road so we see each other while passing by, and she is doing an amazing job with our dc. We are friendly but not friends outside of childcare she provides.
i really want her to feel we are grateful for her help. Any ideas?

You should've be friends outside of a working relationship.

I would get a card and a voucher for the supermarket she shops at as useful and practical gift rather than anything flowery.

You shouldn't ^^

She said they are friendly, but not friends, what is the issue?

I think its a lovely gesture, how about a voucher for coffee and cake?

I know a cm very well. Lovely presents they have received include

• a paid day off
• a lovely Italian food hamper
• wine
• a massage
• a personalised bottle of gin.

Thoughtful gifts are always welcome but the paid day off is always the favourite

It's a lovely thing to do.

I have never spend more than £10 on a CM gift.
I have never met parents able to afford things like this. It's amazing if it's common gifts for a CM.
We get £3 chocolate boxes at my work.

They live in an affluent area and can afford it.

Depends on your budget, I'd say something just for her to pamper herself so a spa or massage voucher

Good for them...

OP; Flowers, wine or chocolate is just fine.

Hi OP, I think it would feel less awkward if it was tagged onto Easter/ Christmas/ her birthday or something.
If Easter, I'd go for chocolate/hamper or perhaps something like a cafe voucher. Otherwise for birthday/Christmas a John Lewis or M&S voucher if you have them nearby.

I always thought the women looking after our kids were poorly paid, young, and this likely to have a long wishlist of things they might be saving for, so we’d get them vouchers (Love2Shop are generic so can spend them anywhere) for them to choose something for themselves.

We've always given our childminder a bottle of fizz at Christmas. She will stop looking after my DS after 2.5 years this August, and will probably give her a spa voucher then. Ours is in her 50s and doesn't fit the "young and poorly paid" label above.

You could also maybe think about something from the DC, like a framed photo of them or a picture the DC has drawn printed on a mug/tea towel etc? I know people say teachers don't want this kind of stuff, but a childminder who spends years with the same young child develops a different kind of relationship with them. My childminder does have things like this from previous mindees around her house.

Meant to say, she gets presents for our DS at Christmas and on his birthday, so it only seems fair to get her something too. She gets him toys or books that he's enjoyed in her setting.

I'm a cm and as much as I like the kids I wouldn't have pictures of them round the house. Hardly have any of my own kids up!
Wine / restaurant voucher on the other hand

Thank you all, some good suggestions here.

budget is quite tight atm but its few months away so i will save on the side and was thinking to spend £50-£70. I will look into vouchers, spas etc, i guess u cant go wrong with a massage!

she charges us when she is off/on holiday so cant really do a paid day off (plus she cares for more children so even if my dc isnt there, she wouldnt be off)

Not everyone likes or feels comfortable with massages. I would definitely go for a voucher. She can choose what she needs and can spend it whenever.

true. I am just thinking what kind of voucher? We are not close so i am not sure what she might like.