Leaving present for childminder

[MaverickSnoopy]

Our children will be leaving their childminder at the end of the school term (they've been with her a year). I'm going on maternity leave and actually training to be a childminder myself so they won't be going back to her.

Our childminder is AMAZING. She did us a term time only contract with no retainer, she's been flexible, she's told us not to pay for extra (although I paid her anyway), she has an amazing bond with the children and is a wonderful childminder and person. I am gutted they will be leaving her, they are gutted and she is gutted, but we can't afford to keep paying her or else we would for as long as we could.

I want to get her a meaningful leaving present. Budget is about about £15 but would push it for £30 for the right thing.

I don't actually know much about her likes and dislikes. She isn't too fond of chocolate and I don't think she drinks. I don't really want to get flowers as they'll just die. I'm thinking maybe a nice plant but she doesn't have any in her house so I'm wondering if they're not her thing.

I was wondering what those of you who are childminding would like? If maybe I would be better off getting something that she can use with future children, or if you as a childminder would prefer something for yourself?

Maybe a really nice soap and moisturiser as we wash our hands a lot! Or a bath oil luxury shower gel, tk maxx do some lovely ones?

I'd love a hardy plant for the garden. Reminds you of the children every time you see it.

I would have a look on notonthehighstreet.com there will be a section for 'gifts for teachers' and I'm sure a lot of them will be adaptable for childminders. You could get something personalised from your children. Lots of things on there would fit into your price range.

A childminder friend of mine received a photobook of the children who were leaving and she was very pleased with it. It was from photobox - look online.

Oh god no not a photobook. I’ve got more photos of mindees in my phone than my own kids- I wouldn’t want more! Certainly not as a thank you, a thank you should be about the receiver not the giver.

I 2nd that last comment 😂😂😂

Thanks all. Much appreciated. This is why I posted, I want to avoid getting a "oh not another" type present but wasn't entirely sure what they were! I know to avoid mugs!

Will definitely look at hardy plants and nice toiletries (we actually have a discount Molton Brown close by). I was so unsure about photos but the above has clarified it for me I think - she does have a couple of photos of her mindees around the house but they're school photos and I assume gifted, therefore not much choice to display them.

Thanks ever so much. I just really want her to know how wonderful she is.

I'd also say a nice letter for her evidence folder.

Having thought about it, in most circumstances a photo book probably isn't appropriate. My childminder friend loved it but she had had the children in question from birth right up to the end of primary school and they were almost like family to her. She was retiring at that point too so it was a nice memento of her time as a childminder too.

My daughter is going to secondary school in September so will be leaving the lovely childminder we've had for 14 years ( my son went to her too, she had both my dc from being babies.)

We've got her a voucher for afternoon tea for two at a lovely local cafe. We're also going to get flowers and wine. It's going to be a sad goodbye for all of us.