Thought I'd wrote a letter to all other parents about why my DD has a special 1to1 teacher - what would you like to know if it was to you?

[Thomcat]

As you may know Lottie has Down's syndrome. After a lot of struggling and paperwork we now have her statmented which basically means becasue she has specail needs and can't accress her curriculum as the other children in her mainstream nursery she has a 1to1 teacher to help her.

I thougth it would be nice / polite , etc if I wrote a letter to the other parents explaining who this teacher is, why lottie has her and that I fought for this and the money comes out of the LEA, not the school etc.

I thought before I did so I would ask, that if this was the case at your son or daughters nursery/school, what would you like to know about why and how and who and what etc?

Thanks, love TC x

[WideWebWitch]

It wouldn't occur to me to question why a child had a 1:1 tbh or to worry about where the funds come from.

[KBear]

www I agree - wouldn't occur to me to ask. Nice thought though TC.

[Fimbo]

Agree with WWW.

[Thomcat]

well it has already occured to one mum who went to the headmistress, who isn't even based at the nursery and she asked if she could have a one to one teacher for her child! {grin] So I thought that rather than mums getting hold of the wrong stick, let alone wrong end I'd nip that sort of thing in the bud, for everyone sakes!

Glad it wouldn't occur to you girls, but not everyone is as bright, or as lovley, as you lot.

[WideWebWitch]

Whaat? She's bonkers Thomcat! I'd leave it to the head to deal with but then I am a lazy cow

[Marina]

Goodness, I'm like WWW TC. I would never, ever grudge a child in my ds or dd's class any sort of learning support or even think funding was being switched from the class as a whole for this purpose.
I think I would like to know how we as a family/classmates could support and make friends with someone like Lottie and her parents...without making a mighty meal of it IYSWIM. But I'd probably do that by chatting to your or your dh, or picking the teacher's brains. I would not expect you to do all the running/briefing.
What a really thoughtful idea of yours

[lunavix]

It wouldn't occur to me, especially as I'd like to meet the children in ds's class, and well would the parents be able to tell why iykwim? Please don't take that the wrong way!!!

However, if I received the letter, I'd be happy a parent informed me of the details.

[Marina]

Oh FFS TC now I see why you are asking about this! What on earth is she on about!

[LIZS]

It is a nice sentiment but I'm not sure that it is down to you to explain. Depending on how the nursery is structured I would probably expect the teacher to make known to parents any staffing changes, just so that other parents understand who their child might be referring to. In the school ds has just left it is very common for an ESL child, for example, to have a volunteer working with them in the classroom a couple of sessions a week.

[soapbox]

Wouldn't cross my mind to question it and think it just panders to the sticky beaks

However, if it makes you feel more comfortable then go for it

[Enid]

yes I think its a lovely idea.

I would like it as a parent as it would make me feel a bit involved

[QueenOfQuotes]

I agree I wouldn't expect a letter either - wouldn't even occur to me.

[nailpolish]

i would be interested to know who the new teacher was, but as others say it wouldnt occur to me as to where the money was coming from.

[QueenOfQuotes]

oops - forgot to add - if I was a parent the letter had been given to I'd be quite happy - might also make those parents who's children are asking questions about Lottie able to answer their questions more easily.

[Fimbo]

Surely it would be obvious why a child needs 1 to 1? (I don't mean that to sound offensive btw)

[jessicasmummy]

i think its a lovely idea, and im sure the parents would appreciat it.

[Pinotmum]

There will always be the exception but as a parent I wouldn't expect you to explain to me. I think it is a really nice thought though and it may make other parents/carers more aware of your dd and able to talk to their children about Lottie if need be.

[QueenOfQuotes]

sobernow's last paragraph has said exactly what I was trying to say - as per usual someone else is capable of putting it much more eloquently than me.

[Thomcat]

I have told the mums i chat to about it, but we don't all get to see each other and i thought I'd just use the opportunity to , well to educate them all a bit about special needs and to involve them and perhaps to stop anyone jumping to wrong conclusions. i'm sure no-one begrudges anyone anything at the school abut they might all be a bit curious. i'll just write a gerneral short note on what a staement is etc and say that if anyone ever wants to ask me anything that I'll gladly welcome their questions etc. That'll be alright won't it.

[Fimbo]

Sounds good to me-will you need to run it by the Head first?

[Pinotmum]

That sounds fine and I sure people will take you up on the questions offer

[Listmaker]

I agree that it is lovely of you to think of doing that but as others have said it wouldn't occur to me to wonder about it or think about where the funding comes from. But then I have friends who are LSAs and friends with SN kids so I know about the statementing process a little bit and would assume you had gone through that.

[nailpolish]

that sounds great tc - maybe some parents are getting questions from their children, and a letter could help. i for one wouldnt have a clue about the whole statementing process etc, but i would be interested to know (although i dont really think its anyones business, but its interesting, does that sound right?)

[Listmaker]

Sorry posted before your last one and agree with the others that it sounds like a good idea and really kind of you.