Am I Suppose to Do a "Thank You" Gift for a Preschool Teacher?? If So What?

I usually give them a gift cert to Lakeshore Learning, so they can add fun/educational things to their classroom. It is something that they will appreciate. If you opt for something personal, try a gift cert to Caribou or similar.

J.

I always gave thank you's to people who were special in my kid's lives. A nicely worded card or even better, a handmade card by the kids with a heartfelt note attached is sufficient.

I always give a thank you card to my kids' teachers at the end of the year. And I get them a gift card. My parents are high school teachers and they say gift cards are the BEST gifts! Teachers have enough candles, lotions, etc.

Most people do get tthe preschool teachers something. Some ideas are a plant, gift card, or something you know they like. K.

Hi Emma - I was wondering the same thing this week.. I have a 4 yr old in Preschool and a 2 year old. I called a teacher friend of mine and she said yes, you should get a gift and she told me that a gift card is a great gift for Teacher and Aid. She likes Michaels Craft or a book store gift card. Hope this helps. I am going to the book store tomorow!

SAHM of 2 Boys - congrats on your Anniversary! (mine is in June)

You are not obligated, but it is a nice gesture. A small gift card (like $5 or $10) to Target would be nice. A lot of teachers like to take their "gift" money and use it to buy things for the classroom. Not the most personal gift, but I don't know a person who wouldn't appreciate a gift certificate to a gas station. You could also team up with a couple other parents and go in on a gift certificate to a restaurant.

If you didn't want to spend any money, even just a dozen cookies and a handwritten note would be nice.

Keep in mind that they may be getting gifts from lots of other parents, and they do so year after year. I would get them something "consumable", and stay away from things like knick-knacks, coffee mugs, ornaments, plants, and jewelry.

As a teacher who is looking forward to summer---a nice bottle of wine would be awesome!

We gave my son's teacher a little plant pot with seeds for Forget-Me-Not flowers.

I think a nice spring potted plant would be wonderful. Something that can go outside in the flower bed if she wishes.

My Grandma is a pre-school teacher and I know they do recieve a lot of gifts. She obviously gets a lot of trinkets but she is most fond of thoughtful gift cards - or even plants are a good idea if they have a place to put them outside. She usually recieves gifts in the $10-$15 range.

It's nice to get a small thank you gift for the preschool teachers. I currently teach the younger preschool class(31 month to 4 yrs) at New Horizon Academy, it's nice to know that the parents(and kids) appreciate all the hard work I put into the daily classes, the artwork, lesson plans and class field trips. You don't need to get anything big(a $5 gift card to Target or Starbucks or a candle or simple a nice card letting the teacher know your child really enjoyed the years with them. the small gestures go a long way.....hope this helps

Ohhh, I am so glad you asked! (I'm a preschool teacher.) The most important "gift" you should give is a note to the teacher expressing your appreciation. These are really meaningful, and given less often than you'd think. (I save all of mine.)

If you want to buy something, don't give tchotchkes. The best gifts are gift certificates -- either for something the teacher can buy for herself (Starbucks, Borders, Target, Bachmann's, etc.) or for the classroom (Lakeshore, Target, Borders, etc.).

You could also coordinate with other parents and give a larger gift certificate together.

With my grandma teaching elementary for 30+ years, I know better than to get something that's knick-knacky or supposed to be a keepsake. 20 kids in a class for 30 years -- you can imagine! I had my son decorate a card for each teacher with stickers and sign his name. I included a gift card to a book store for each. That way they can use it for themselves or for the class. I am also going to write them a note from us telling them how much they are appreciated, because they really are and have done a great job accommodating my son's special situation.

Speaking from experience getting a Thank-you gift for your child's teacher is a wonderful thing to do if you feel that the teacher has gone above and beyond what you would have expected, or if your child and yourself feel close to the teacher. In the past I have recieved gift certificates to places such as the mall, or local bookstore where I could get something nice for myself. But what I appreciated the most were things that I would be able to reflect on that would remind me of that child. I had one parent who knoew I enjoyed coffee in the morning, get me a lovely large mug, and loaded it up with different flavors of coffee. I still have the mugs and think of that child fondly even thought it was over 10 yrs ago.. I have also recieved scarves, and assorted stationary. So find something that you like and go with your gut feeling, and if all else fails, "think chocolate" as I always enjoyed that, and I could share that with my family also.

I have always given an Usborne book for the classroom as a thank you and at Christmas I usually do a book and coffee beans. I have a friend who is a roaster so there are lots of fun flavors to choose from and I am an Usborne Books consultant so I have easy access to the books! When my office was in a preschool, the teachers would like the gift cards too. I usually keep it under $10. What a fun time of year for your son!

Emma-It is not necessary to do a gift-a card would be sufficient But if you wanted to do something it is ok too. It is really up to you. Finances are tight for everyone and I believe that everyone is under some of the same pressures financially. If you choose to so something here are some ideas: Bake some cookies with your child-and give them to the teacher, take a small clay pot and have your child put their hand print on it and put a flower in it (use acryllic paint) and spray over with a sealer. Gift cert to teachers favorite coffee place. Just a few ideas. Good luck! Blessings! Oh and by the way--happy Anniversary!

Emma,
I struggle with this question myself. I've never gotten any of our ECFE teachers gifts in the past, but I do know some people do. I was glad to hear our ECFE PReschool teacher request that no one bring her gifts tomorrow (our last day). I think my son and I will just draw her a picture and thank her that way.

Good luck with your decision!

Jessica

I would think it is up to you if you want to do something like that. I am a former school teacher and some kids got me gifts and others didn't. It was certainly appreciated and made me feel good, but definitely not necessary.
I don't think you could ever go wrong with a gift card to a restaurant, movie theater, book store etc. They always come in handy. Good luck!

We always gave gifts to my teachers growing up, so when my son entered preschool this year I did the same thing.

I just got a $10 gift card to Target, earlier this year I got them Starbucks gift cards.

I don't think it's so much the gift but the sentiment. I'm sure they'd just love something saying thanks.

I think a nice hand made card from your son is just fine and will be appreciated. I like the idea of gift card from a book store, but like most said, not really necessary. A note from you as well would be nice, too.

You could have your son make cards or drawings for his teachers. If you want to add a gift you could get them each small potted flowers or a gift card $5-10 each to Barnes & Noble, Target...

I have always gotten my kid's teachers a thank you gift at the end of the year. I think it is a nice gesture as they do such a great job throughout the school year.

We are doing a class thank you for our ECFE teacher. Those that wanted to contributed $5 or more dollars and someone volunteered to buy a gift card to Lakeshore Learning, or Micheals with the collected funds.