Hi, I know it's still early days -she started there six days ago- but I feel I've made a big mistake by putting summer born DD2 to a state school with 31 class mates. She was in full time independent pre-school last academic year and loved it from the day one. Then we moved (and money was running out:) and found this 'outstanding' state school nearby. DD1 at Y3 loves it and everyone I have ever spoken to -parents, children and staff- are nice, it just looks like DD2 cannot cope with the class size.
On the day DD1 started last week she was so happy to go the 'big school', now she is dreading it. In the previous school the teacher shook hands and said good morning to the children at the door and everything seemed organised, now we drop them in the class room full of children running around (what happened to using 'walking legs' indoors?) and the teacher puts a name tack on their cardigans without even making an eye contact. I have never seen DD2 so profoundly sad that she has been these few days, stoic by nature she walks to the school with a wobbly lower lip, says goodbye to me and when I pick her up at 12pm (until next week when she is supposed to be full time omg) she just clings to me and has also stopped talking at home like she used to (I've lost my chatter box:). Last night she went and hit her dad when he came home from work, she has never ever been aggressive to anyone.
Today the teacher took me aside and said DD1 was "extremely distressed" the whole time and also that she was the only one who was sad. I didn't know what to say, felt guilty that it was my child who was not settling, and also guilty that I couldn't provide that child the great start DD2 got in the private sector. I know it's the lack of resources but the class room looks like a jungle, the poor teacher is telling kids (boys that are a head taller than DD2) off throwing toys, no way there is time for positive encouragement or introducing children to each other so they could work together. If I had to be in that room for seven hours I'd go insane.
Sorry ladies this was long but I don't know what to do and there is no better people than you to give me some advice. Would you wait and if she doesn't settle just pull her out and keep her home (desperate option:). Are the Reception classes normally this wild or could there be more structure with so many little ones? Any teachers out there to give me advice what I could do to help? I'm so thankful for any advice!
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Reception child "extremely distressed" in state school, please help!
68 replies
finnmum · 19/09/2012 14:25
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