What presents for nursery staff when leaving the nursery?

[meadowquark]

Hello. I asked recently what present to give to childminder when leaving and so gave her flowers and a card.

Now my other child is leaving nursery in 2 weeks time (he will go to pre-school) and I am thinking what to give to the staff.

Staff turnover is quite high and there are some trainees in and out, therefore I don't know all the staff and I don't know how many there will be on the last day which is when I would like to give the present(s).

Does a big box of chocolates sound very boring? Should I buy a separate present for his key worker (they swap around a lot so she has not been a key worker for long time and she has not done particularly much.. there is a another girl who has been much better with my child).

I would appreciate your insight!

When my daughter left her preschool she had only been there for about 4 months but the staff were excellent and really went above and beyond their job description. I bought them all a small bottle of wine and box of chocs each and her key worker had the same but I also purchased a card and nice perfume set from Next which was very reasonably priced. I spent between £20-£30 in total because I was on a tight budget but if I could have afforded to I would have spent more!
Tbh it's totally up to you - you could get a gift such as flowers, body shop set, vouchers etc for her previous longer term key worker and you could buy a tin of chocs or get your little one to help you make up a picnic basket with cakes, brownies and treats for the rest of staff. At the end of the day it's the thought that counts and I'm sure they'll appreciate whatever you get them.

I think if someone deserves it then you should get them a separate gift and card.
Doesn't have to be big or expensive but to be singled out for being good at your job is a fantastic feeling
I keep all the cards that the patents send in, so use the card to really show your appreciation ofparticular mmembers of staff, and say why they deserve extra praise
Knowing that my staff arexqll thought of and valued makes me a happy nursery manager.

I am afraid my problem is that I don't know how many of the staff there is, as they changing so much. I would feel embarrassed if I go asking for the list and names. It is mostly young or trainees and still learning, except from 2 who are brilliant, but do not do that much work with DS. Picnic basket is a good idea and a thank you card. Where do I get a basket???

At ours, we are not allowed to give presents to the individual staff the argument being that we may be more impressed with someone who is confident with the parents at drop off pick up but someone else may be better with our actual child, it would exclude the cook etc etc. When DC1 leaves in a couple of weeks after being there for 4yrd I am planning on a big box of chocolates and then some Duplo for them to put into whichever room they think would make most use of it. DC1 has loved playing with the Duplo there so it seemed appropriate. You can never have too much Duplo!

In our staff room (primary sch) we've had a few parents who get a "bag for life" (not a plastic one, one that's slightly sturdier) and fill it with fresh juice, strawberries, grapes, etc small cake, biscuits. It's a lovely treat! And suits the dieters/non dieters!!

Ive kept all the cards ive received, and something written to the manager about how good particular staff have been is always lovely.

To be honest if you dont know the names of the sraff and the key person changes a lot I would probably just go for a box of chocolates for the staff room. I would mention to the manager how good the 2 staff members have been.

Homemade cards are great keepsakes. I took a picture of my dd holding up a sign saying thankyou, then printed it off stuck it on a card, wrote a personalised message added lots of glitter scribbles off dd it went down pretty well. Also gave flowers and chocs to a couple who went out of there way in taking care of dd.

Lots of great ideas here, thank you . I will defo go for a neutral basket [bag for life he he] rather than try to be personal. And a thank you card, of course!

Toys is a good idea, but the nursery seems already quite cluttered, therefore I don't want to add up to the chaos there.

Don't get me wrong I appreciate DS's years in the nursery, the staff is well meaning but they probably do not have that much of experience or resources and it reflects.