Teachers of year 1 and 2, do you spend your own money on classroom supplies/rewards?

[Oddsocksforeveryone]

End of year is coming up and I want to get a gift that is useful, so I was thinking of getting supplies for the rewards box (pencils/erasers/stamps, that kind of thing) and maybe some stationary for teacher. I know from early years teachers that they often spend a lot of their own money on things that they use in school for themselves/the children and with budget cuts I assume this will increase.
So do you buy your own supplies? And if so, what do you buy?

I put year 1 and 2 in the title but I'm interested in reception and the rest as well.

There are few teachers that DON'T buy their own supplies-most teachers I know are stationery addicts! Green marking pens, highlighters, post its, sellotape ( and especially sellotape reel holders!) desk tidies, in fact anything!

Pencil pots for tables pencils to go in them, paper for art and craft activities, sequins, feathers, paints, basically anything above the basic requirements. Books books and books

I'm a TA and spend my own money on various bits and bobs for the class as do most of my colleagues. We'd never have anything nice if we didn't as there just isn't enough money for more than the basics at the moment 😡

I buy a lot of stuff-especially seasonal craft type things and books

So would that be a good end of year gift? I often buy craft supplies and things from Baker Ross so that's where I was planning to look.

Yep, agree with all of the above - stationery (for me and the children to use), enough books to open a small bookshop (but I love books, so I'm not too bothered by that), items for the 'reward box' (or 'tat bag' as it's known by me and my teacher friends). Most teachers I know would be appreciative of stationery.

I've also bought more big ticket items because I wanted them to use with my class, but I class those as 'mine' - puppets, Numicon, games.

It's an expensive game, being a teacher, unless you adopt a strict 'no spending personal money for school' policy. I couldn't, unfortunately.

How about KS2 teachers in school where children(parents) have to supply everything, including pens, glue sticks, scissors, etc?
For Art supplies, they always ask for donation from parents regularly.
What is a good gift?

I've read somewhere a lot teacher doesn't want box of chocolates.
Ds gave candles and handmade collage last year, but I wasn't sure since preference in fragrance is very personal, and wondered what do teacher do with collage!

I've found that most schools in the uk have stationary provided for them. I've never needed to buy pencils or felt tips or alike. Books for the classroom book corner are always handy or a story with chapters that the teacher can read to her class next year as their class story. Mine is Gangsta Granny at the min for example. A set of nice pens for marking, a notebook or just a thank you from the parents and child would be sufficient

We have a very limited budget. I but medals, stickers, hair clips etc myself. Expensive items (puppets, worry monster CDs and all of that stuff) I buy with my own money but they are mine, I bring them home.

Buy medals..

A nice USB book bag would be welcome. Craft supplies (acrylic paint) also good

Anything would be greatly received! Stickers, certificates, stampers, stationery, poundland tat for the treat bag. Any craft stuff is always good. Dice, counters, puppets, balls would all be very welcome! It costs a fortune buying everything for a class!

I'm a TA and I often buy things too. Most often spare pants, socks and tights as parents never return our spares despite me writing the class name in marker pen all over them! We ask for our spares back and ask for items that have been outgrown but don't usually get any donations. Also little extras like patterned paper, nice pens for the children to use. Oh and pencil sharpeners which we go through at a rate of knots.

In my experience, most teachers are stationery addicts so nice pens or post its would probably go down well (either for marking or for their own use).

A card from the DC is probably the nicest thing though!

Thank you everyone.
Do you think it's best to try and talk to the teachers about what they would like, or just buy a selection of things?
Maybe write a note with a list of potential things so they can choose or make suggestions?

Im not a teacher anymore, now a TA in an infant school. Yes, I spend plenty of my own cash to supplement what I use a at school - stationary, printing and printer paper, books, subject specific items, etc. I sometimes joke with DD that the room I use most is almost sponsored by his business.

I have also used my own money to but individual pupils water bottles before school trips, and even full packed lunches (before the free infant school lunches.) One very hot school trip I bought the class an ice lolly each - it was so hot that day, I was in need of one, so it was the easiest way (and I knew the allergies, etc.)

Reward box stuff would be good at our school as that is prey much always funded buy the teaching staff.

And books for the book browsers in the classroom.

If the school has a specific coloured marking system - highlighters and pens in those colours specifically.

But yes, maybe talk to school for suggestions - though they may be a little cagey to tell you as may feel they shouldn't be letting parents know what is lacking re the budgets.

Do you think it's best to try and talk to the teachers about what they would like, or just buy a selection of things?

I would probably just buy a selection of things. I can imagine the teachers saying "no, no, you don't need to get anything!", like when you ask someone what they want for their birthday

Our school asks for books for the class on the child's birthday which I love and always so as a way of adding to resources. At year end a voucher for the teacher and a personal card from the child is nice.

Glue sticks
Coloured pencils
Glue sticks
Decent rubbers
Glue sticks
Post-it notes
Glue sticks

Problem with glue sticks, there!

( We have a similar problem, I think some children must eat them!!)

wondered what do teacher do with collage!

I doubt it even made it out the school doors tbh!

As a class we always put money on and then get a voucher for local shopping centre, which includes stationary shops, beauty, clothes, everything. So the teacher can decide whether to go sensible or indulge. £150, plus bottle of wine and flowers last year!

I'm a TA too and the amount of kids who don't have a stocked pencil case is high. Only a few have glue sticks, I think the parents think the school will supply everything but we don't have the budget for endless pencils and glue sticks.
I buy stuff with my own money too, books and sweets for end of term reading awards etc.
A box of pencils, rubbers etc would be so gratefully received.

I had no idea that many teachers buy things like that with their own money I honestly thought schools provided everything but suspected this would happen soon with budget cuts. You all sound like wonderful teachers and TAs and think you all do an amazing job (that I've always admired) and will consider buying things as mentioned above!