Offering time to school

[PeppaPigStinks]

My dd has just started reception. Although I work part time. I have a morning when my younger son is at nursery which I could offer to help at her school. My husband is very keen for me to do this. Partly because I love the idea of being a teacher and I think he feels I would get a lot from helping out at a school. I am worried about being seen as a busy body or similar! To be honest I'd happily fold letters/ cut letters anything to help really.

[PeppaPigStinks]

Sorry. I clicked too soon! Do teachers like this support? Or would they rather not have it.
There was a school pta but this has folded this year as no one volunteered to do it!

[spanieleyes]

I started as a volunteer when my children started school, I am now a Deputy Head! Many schools now ask that you do not volunteer in their own child's classroom-this stops the " busy body" feeling!

[Hillfog]

Do it! It's a great help to the school and fun. I volunteer once a week at my kids school. I'm in my daughters class but she pretty much ignores me and isn't affected by my presence. If she was clingy then I wouldn't be keen to do it.
I read with the kids (Rec and Yr1), change books and help small groups with activities the teacher has set.

[sunnydayinmay]

Just ask! I work part time, but pop into school each week to read - love it. I wasn't sure about asking at first, but they bit my hand off and I ended up as a governor.

[cariadlet]

tbh I'm surprised that the school hasn't asked for volunteers. We always wish we had more - it's tricky as most parents either have younger children to care for or are working. The need for helpers does tend to reduce as children get older, but they're always greatly appreciated lower down the school.

[Ferguson]

Yes - schools invariably can use additional help, in class, the office, playground or dinner hall etc!

I started as a parent helper, hearing readers, and went on to do gardening activities with Yr6, and ran an after-school Keyboard club for informal music. I then became a TA in a different school, for ten years, and two years in a tough comprehensive. When I retired, I carried on voluntary help in schools. One of my earliest 'readers' turned up in another school, SEVENTEEN years later, when she was in her final year of Teacher Training; our roles were reversed, and SHE needed to direct ME in the classroom!

And if you have any special skills - music, drama, art, sport, ICT -you can be even more useful.

It can be enjoyable, though sometimes frustrating, and some children can be more relaxed with a 'voluntary' helper than with teacher or TA.

Don't be shy about what others may think, and don't be afraid to 'sell' yourself if you do have particular skills.

[catkind]

Can't hurt to ask! If they don't want you they'll just say thanks but no thanks.

DS has been at two schools and both were keen to get parent volunteers involved. I just started going in to hear children read, they use volunteers for reception and year 1 so the children can be heard individually more often.

[PeppaPigStinks]

Thank you. I will offer my time tomorrow

[Leeds2]

Hope they are keen on the idea!

Do you know if there are any other parent helpers?

[PeppaPigStinks]

I don't know about any other helpers. Leeds2 - I am worried they won't be keen on the idea!

[catkind]

Remember you're the one offering to do them a favour! Hope they say yes, it's a fun thing to do. And all schools could do with more hands on deck.

[Fairenuff]

Yes I think the school would be very pleased to have extra help. But I am surprsed at 'My husband is very keen for me to do this' rather than you are very keen OP. Are you sure you want to?

[starlight2007]

I did this when my child was in reception... If I walked through his classroom. he would jump up and run over to me ..I think he would be of been dreadful if I was in his class..

I really enjoyed it.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeG0es]

My DCs are 9 and 11 now and I've done plenty over the years in their primary school, reading, gardening club, PTA, help on trips etc. I used to think maybe I would like to work in one but it has shown me that that is definitely not what I want to do as a career. I don't have much time for it now due to work, but still enjoy it when I can fit a bit of time in. It's always been in my DCs classes, that's normal in our school and that has never been a problem.