Nursery gift etiquette

[HairyPorter]

Please help! It's ds's first time at nursery/ montesorri school and I don't know what the norm is- do I get individual presets for all staff? Just one for the head teacher? Or a foodie/ biscuit gift for all to share? I hadn't even realized I'd need to get a gift- what a minefield!

I bought for each member of staff in whichever room ds was in at the time.

Wine for most, chocolates for any pg members of staff. They always seemed to be well received.

I don't buy Christmas gifts now that they're at school though, I get end of year presents instead.

All of your options are valid. Some people give a homemade card from the child, and that is normally well received too. Or a homemade decoration. The trick is, to do what you want to do, and give what you want to give (if anything). There are no hard and fast rules and nothing is 'expected'.

If you're asking what I'm doing, then for 2YO DD2 nursery, they'll get a small selection of simple festive homebaking (spiced biscuits etc) for the staff room for all to share the week before nursery closes (to give them time to eat it and deconflict from other goodies they might get!). And for 5YO DD1 at school, her teacher and TA will each get a small gift (£5-£10) like a tree decoration/bauble. Might look for a plain one for DD1 to 'decorate' for them, (those lucky people!), plus biccies for the staff room.

But I have also seen parents take in a bottle of wine, a bunch of flowers and chocs (all separate pressies) . I'm sure teachers are just as happy with a heart felt thank you. Please don't stress