What do you buy nursery staff for Christmas?

[FabLaura]

So my daughter started nursery last month (she's 11 months). As this will be her first Christmas there, I'm interested to know what your children have taken in for the staff at Christmas - anything? A nice box of biscuits? Something more interesting? Thanks!

Anyone?

Following with interest.

I have 6 nursery teachers to buy for, I also need some inspiration!

I asked my son last year what he wanted to get the nursery staff. He said they'd like a pineapple. So that's what I got them (and a small box of chocolates!)

ILoveAnOwl - brilliant! I wish baby could talk so we could roll with her suggestions too

I sent a bottle of champagne & some Lindt chocolates for each of the staff members in his room. Seemed to go down well!

Following as it’s my DD first nursery Xmas-
I was thinking a box of Krispy Kremes in the last week- sound crap? I don’t want to get for individual staff members as she’s mid rooms and different staff monitor the morning drop offs etc

M&s biscuits. All gets put in staff room and they share. I dont take alcohol as a couple of under 18s so dont find it fair

Krispy Kremes or biscuits are great, just send them a couple of weeks before Christmas as there tend to be a lot of goodies in the last week!

I've worked in nurseries for years and years and truely the best gift is a box of celebrations/quality street/roses that can go in the staff room to share with room staff/managers/cleaners/cooks etc. Individual gifts, while thoughtful, always felt a bit uncomfortable & caused a bit of awkwardness between staff.

I did a mini hamper last year with nice M&S biscuits, mince pies, tea, coffee and something else I can't remember. But thought it would be something all the staff could enjoy! Will probably do similar this year too

I got a few boxes of Celebrations/Roses etc.

We've always put cash in the envelope for the room. They're a really lovely bunch and I know they're not paid well, and I feel I should put my money where my mouth is! Think I usually pop chocolates through for the whole building as well.

Seriously a card is all we need. We get chocolates, biscuits. (someties each sometimes to share,) Wine, trinkets. A basket of fruit, smellies. Home made shortbread, cakes. But a card is fine. One can have too many chocs.

I think cash in an envelope would be nice as our
Nursery couldn’t afford a theatre trip for the staff- but tbh I know maybe 2 max of the other parents

Last year I got my DD's key carer a £25 voucher and then chocs for the other room staff was that too much? I've got two DC there now so interested to know others' thoughts.

My dcs creche doesnt have key workers and they have changed rooms mid year. There would be too many to buy for so I put money in an envelope towards their Christmas staff night out. A few parents have started doing this and I have been told they appreciate it .

We got Xmas £1 mugs and filled them with treats.
Kit Kats, Breakaways.
So hot chocolate pouches.
People actually asked for them next year.

How much do you give in cash?

I really don't understand why cash or large/fairly expensive gifts are becoming a thing for children's nursery workers, teachers, etc. But @LaPufalina

Youve already paid for their childcare (wgich isn't cheap). Why is it a duty then to get expensive gifts or give cash? Like someone said,a card should be enough. Maybe a box of chocs or biscuits. But @lapufalina I think a £25 voucher is ridicuous tbh.

I think the issue I find with gifts for individuals is it doesn't take into account the cook and the cleaner and the manager and other support staff who are there and make you childs day what it is but aren't noticed as much. The cook at our nursery is fab, she has worked there for 12 years and is such a lovely lady, but I'll bet she doesn't get half as much in gifts as the room workers.

I usually buy teachers and nursery staff a Christmas tree decoration. Something simple can usually pick them up for about 2.50, also some chocolates.

nursery may be expensive but the individual childcare workers arent paid particularly well. I think its lovely to show a token of appreciation- its not a duty.

Cheese and crackers for the room staff as we were sure they'd had their fill of chocolates. Seemed to be a hit

FTMF30 childcare may well be very expensive but the nursery workers themselves are paid close to minimum wage. I appreciate how they care so well for my child and how little they earn. I don't think £25 is ridiculous tbh.