Okay Moms;
I need some of your honest advice again~ You all helped me when the teacher over-jumped the bounds with the ADHD issue...
Now, here's the big one:
A parent I am friends with, called me a few times yesterday (her little man is really sick, poor sweetie!), but on the third call she said that her hubby received a call from our children's school saying the teacher will no longer be there.
The sad thing: We lost the original teacher on staff (she was wonderful and everyone loved her!). My son actually discussed his days at school more without so much prodding and was always excited and lively. Then, we had the sub for a few weeks. Now this one (Ms. R.). I called the school and it sounds like there will be a sub for however long it takes to 'properly' fill the roll.
I have seen some of the children refuse to come into the class previously when the regular teacher (or assistant) are not there~ These changes DO stress children out and I feel the staff involved are not taking much of this into consideration.
I am also upset as I have been highly anxious to volunteer my time at my son's class. I have had to wait for the 'teacher/student' relationship to develop, yet at this rate of turnover, I truly feel having our parents in the room is more of a stability factor than what has been provided!
Any thoughts before I call the school? I am upset that I personally was not contacted (and his class only does consist of seventeen kids, so I do understand there could be the chance of missing someone, but either way~ I cannot help but to feel the stress also!)
Oh~ by the way: these changes of teachers have affected my son with his potty training and attitude. A few other parents have noticed the same thing after the changes occurred.
(Before it becomes out of hand: I do not wish to change schools as he has made his friends here *and they are local for play dates.) This is a very good school district that we are a part of. We are just hitting a stroke of 'bad luck' at this time.)
I talked with the administration (as they called hubby~ again! instead of me) and it worked as we were all able to discuss the original issue of the ADHD and a few other things. I spoke with the teacher's assistant (whom we LOVE!) and she is very open to me being there volunteering, and immediately for all comfort involved. (Like another mom said: I truly do not want the year to go by without joining in/ participating with my son's school! The year is half way through and they have yet the Permanent teacher to hire!)
I do realize everyone has the 'best interest' at heart, but I also see the stress it induces on the children and the parents (the parent I am friends with was VERY upset as she knew her son would be impacted.).
I am hoping for the best~ bottom line: I just want to be there for my son as I love him immensely!
Have you thought about switching to a CoOp preschool? You might be able to make the switch after the Christmas break. My Daughter was in a coop last year and I volunteered in the class 2x's a month some parents were in the class once a week. I really enjoyed the experiance!
Blessings, K.
Of course you should voice your concerns. Volunteering in the classroom is a great way to be able to see what is going on. Consistency with toddlers is so important. They need to feel like they are in a secure comfy place and changes like this frequently, could interrupt the reason they are at school. Go with your gut!
I would try to get a feel on what other parents are feeling and maybe if they are feeling the same way as you have a meeting with them and the principal or others in charge of the school. Maybe you could type up a flyer to pass out and see if anyone is interested in having a meeting. At this point they should try to find someone to fill in for the rest of the year..this is probably not a very good learning environment for your children either because of all the changes. Good luck!
A., This is a toughie! Everyone always tells me children are very resilient, but my little guy sure misses his Miss Kim, Assistant Teacher, when she is not there! Thank Goodness his teacher has never even been absent!
I would say, volunteer anytime and often! Hopefully, the scene will be more consistent for your little one, but before you know it, he will be off for Kindergarten.
AH yes.. the big catch-22 of daycare. Daycare workers aren't paid well so turnover is significant and frequent. Of course if they were paid better then daycare would become unaffordable for parents.
(I assume it's a daycare since you mentioned potty training and most preschools programs require chuildren be potty trainined before they begin.)
Unfortunately, I think it's just a grin and bear it situation. Most daycares are going to have turnover, so switching schools would be no guarantee, and I know you don't want to do that. I think you just have to let them know you need more open lines of communication and you plan to be visiting the class during this transition. Don't ask for permission. Just tell them you are going to do it.
Good luck!
I would agree with Beth & Anjela about the grin and also understand this is the nature of the job. There are larger forces at play that you may not know.
Instead of thiking that holding off to volunteer should happen so that kids can bond with the teacher maybe you should reframe to understand volunteering to be the consistent person and to help the kids bond with the teacher.
My experience having 3 kids who have had three different kinds of childcare & preschool experience is that there is ALWAYS a gap in meeting people's wants/needs. we are all different & really there are massive regulations, politics, and financial comitments at play. If those kind of compromises don't work for your family (& totally fine if they don't, then maybe join a childcare ring, cooperative setting (altho they have their own issues too). imagine being someone who literally has no choice and has to take what is given (child care subsidy, transportation issues, schedule issues).
go play and have fun - this is the first of many frustrations you will encounter.
A.,
You should be aware that as a parent you have a legal right to be in your childs classroom any time you want to be. If I were you I would just TELL them I will be coming in for an hour once a week or something similiar, whatever works for your schedule. If you let it keep going before you know it the year is done and you've missed it all.
I know this happend to me a couple of times with my oldest son. The teacher kept putting me off with "yes we will have to get you on the schedule to come in" and just never did it. I have always regretted not being more assertive.
The school can not help it if a teacher quits. That being said, it sounds like you have been having constant problems with this pre-school. Is there any particular compelling reason you chose it? Can you find a different pre-school that will better suit your needs?
I agree that the teacher change-over is hard. That was definately one of the things I looked for when I chose a school/daycare.
As a teacher, I would say be patient. Schools don't let go teachers in the middle of the year unless it's something really big. The school is aware of how this is going to affect the kids, however, they thought the kids would be better off without the teacher. As a parent, I can understand your frustration. I'm sure the school will send a letter or contact you, just give it a little time. They may be contacting the parents who's kids seem really upset first...I don't know, just a guess. Also, as far as the sub goes, they will probably hire one long term sub until they can fill the teaching position. The sub will act like the teacher and build a relationship with the kids. The school know's how important it is for kids of that age to have a stable teacher so I'm sure they are looking as hard and as fast as possible. Again, I know you are frustrated, but the school has your child's interest in mind...although it may not seem like it now. Hang in there!
It's not really fair for this to be your son's first experience with school. I would be afraid that the constant changing of staff would cause the children to withdraw from the teachers, unable to form that bond that they need, and perhaps even being detrimental to future years in school.
My son loves his teachers, and loves his school, but he was one of those that had to be peeled off of my leg at first. Their stability has made him into a different child...he actually told me 'mommy you don't have to walk me in anymore, I can do it' (yeah right)...but it shows my point. I would hate to walk into my job and find a different boss everyday...it's impossible to think a child would be unaffected by that much change.
Some kids cannot tolerate change, it's just the way they are wired. It would take a LOT to make me change schools, but that may be what you have to do....can you at least change classrooms, so their is some familiarity still?
That's tough, but if you're seeing the effects of it in your son, it's time to act. Remember though, your son will pick up your feelings about his school. If you are having so much trouble trusting them already, maybe you need to look at all sides of the issue and fix it once and for all.
