Letter of Resignation

I was offered a new job today so I wanted to get your opinion on whether my resignation letter sounds okay or not. I really like my job now, and really like the person I work with (I work in a childcare center in the infant room with 9-18 month olds, which I have been doing for 16 years) but an old boss started a new center at the church she belongs to and got a hold of me through an old coworker to come work for her. I have only ever been a regular teacher and never a lead teacher even though I have so much experience, simply b/c I don't have an early childhood degree. It has killed me sometimes having to work under someone that has SO much less experience and knowledge of babies than I do just b/c I lack that piece of paper. I've always wanted to be a lead teacher, but we could/can never afford for me to go to college.

I have only been at the center I work at now since mid September when it opened and I feel bad for leaving so soon, but I was offered a lead teacher position in a Montessori/Waldorf-combo based program, which I love. I also love my "new" boss. She and I see completely eye to eye on just about everything. I've been told to do and/or change whatever I want to in that classroom. I've always felt like I've been s*** on in this career, but I just love the babies so much so I keep doing it. Every time I try something different I keep coming back. It feels kind of good to be sought out for such a good position and to know she is willing to put her trust in me.

My new boss wants me to start on Monday but I feel I should give two weeks notice, so I put the option in there for them to let me go early should they find a replacement for me sooner.

How does this sound??

Dear Old Boss,

I regret to inform you that I am leaving (the daycare). Please accept this letter as my notice of resignation.

This was not an easy decision to make, as I have enjoyed working with everyone and am grateful for the rewarding employment I have had with (the daycare). After much consideration, though, I have accepted a position with another company. While I have been very satisfied with my position at (the daycare), I have decided to make this move to advance my career.

Please be informed that my last day of work will be January 13th, 2009. However, should you find a replacement for me prior to that date I would be willing to leave sooner.

Please let me know if you need my help at any time during this transition. I wish you and the company all the best going forward.

Sincerely,

Kara

Oh, I should also mention that it is almost a dollar pay raise! Yipee!!

Congratulations! Sounds like a great step forward for you.
I think your resignation letter is very good, and gives no reason for any hard feelings (you are giving the standard 2 week resignation right?). You have a very polite tone and keep it to the point, and it should be recieved well.
I've read some really shocking ones in my time, and you wonder how people can be so utterly clueless and unprofessional, and then turn around and ask for a reference. Oh boy..

That letter sounds just right, and congratulations to you!

Thanks! Yes, I'm giving two weeks notice. Do you think I should ask for letter of reference in my resignation letter, or should I do it separately in person?

Congratulations!! the letter sounds great!
I've never written such a good resignation letter..the ones I've written are hardly letters more like notices and I just write
"I'd like to notify you of my wish to resign, thanks" and I just tell them about what I'm doing next and why I'm leaving as I hand it to them...but then again I've never had a full time job, only part time jobs that have nothing to do with what I want to do when I graduate.

I think the letter is very professional and curteous!

CONGRATULATIONS on your new job!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have no idea how the references thing works, so have no advice on that, sorry!

First of all, CONGRATULATIONS on the new job!!! That's awesome!!!

And second, I think the letter is great. To the point and professional but pleasant, etc.

Good luck with the new job!!

The letter sounds great but I would only change one minor thing. Your last day should be Jan 13, 2010, NOT 2009 I am going to be writing 2009 for a couple of weeks myself.

Haha nice catch! Thanks!

Good letter, and good luck in the new place. I would ask for a letter of reference though, because you never know when you might need one. And since you haven't been there very long, it could be easy for them to forget you, especially if one or two key people leave.

request a letter of reference in writing.. that way you have a record of it.

Nice letter! I think it reads well, and frankly, if anyone in our business had given me one that looked like that, I would have fainted! Most of ours either (a) just told me one day that they were leaving, (b) called me in the evening to tell me that the day they had just worked was their last, or (c) left and never showed back up for work (could tell you some doozies there!) As for the letter of reference, make it a different letter, it just looks more professional.

Congratulations and good luck!!

Congratulations Kara...

good luck!... .. ......

I see no problem at all with this letter. You said what you had to say and made it short, simple and to the point. I wouldn't change anything. Good luck with the new position.