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AIBU?

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Original poster

To expect my reception child to have a qualified teacher?

146 replies

MaryBeardy · 13/02/2025 19:44

DS is in reception. I was told by another mum his teacher has been off for a few days. I asked DS who was teaching him and he said the two teaching assistants that help across reception and occasionally a teacher from a different class. Should there not be a qualified teacher present at all times (or at the very least one in training that has some supervision)? I’m feeling a bit annoyed this hasn’t been communicated by the school but don’t know if I’m being unreasonable. TIA

OP posts:
Lavender2021 · 13/02/2025 20:08

I think my daughters Reception class gets taught by a teaching assistant at least one afternoon a week. Normally Thursday and they split of into groups for phonics which is lead by two teachers and a TA each day. TAs do more class running than we probably know about.

noblegiraffe · 13/02/2025 20:05

MissHollysDolly · 13/02/2025 19:56

It's reception, they'll be fine.

Yeah, nothing important happens in Reception, it's all basically glitter and playing with sand.

Hmm
itispersonal · 13/02/2025 20:03

If just sickness I agree the TAs who are normally in the class are often a much better replacement to a supply teacher. If the TAs are happy to do so.

Conversely, my job share teacher has been off sick, it's my day off and the supply teacher was next to useless, according to the TA who ended up doing more work anyway!

noblegiraffe · 13/02/2025 20:02

Just be aware that they might not have a teacher in the future too, for far longer than a few days.

aSpanielintheworks · 13/02/2025 20:02

In my school you'd be hard pressed to know who is the teacher and who is the TA. TAs do an amazing job and it's usually within their job description to cover for ppa time and short term illness
I'd rather my Reception child was taught by a familiar adult who knew the children than a supply teacher trying to follow planning they've never seen before.
Honestly if it's to cover short term illness I wouldn't worry.

UtterlyQuackers · 13/02/2025 19:58

witwatwoo · 13/02/2025 19:57

Welcome to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis

This. We don't have enough teachers or money.

What's the answer?

Sirzy · 13/02/2025 19:57

An experienced TA who knows the children well will often be a lot more preferable than a supply teacher who has no knowledge of the children. Especially for younger children.

witwatwoo · 13/02/2025 19:57

Welcome to the teacher recruitment and retention crisis

MissHollysDolly · 13/02/2025 19:56

It's reception, they'll be fine.

thepurplepenguin · 13/02/2025 19:55

As a reception teacher, I much prefer it when my class is covered by experienced TAs who know the children and how our unit is run, rather than by a random supply teacher. Different if it's longer term, but for a few days sickness absence it's definitely better for the children to have the consistency of familiar adults.

melisma · 13/02/2025 19:55

You may find that the TAs are very qualified anyway! My 3 have had many TAs over the years who are qualified teachers but doing TA work because of the more family friendly hours and having their own young kids to look after.

Frowningprovidence · 13/02/2025 19:53

I don't think it's unreasonable to wish that children had a qualified teacher all the time

But I know it's unrealistic to expect it with the way budgets are. There are lots of children being taught by long term unqualified cover because that's all there is.

I also know that, for a few short days, a TA who knows the class is less unsettling than a stranger supply teacher. So in your case, this will be fine m.

Original poster
MaryBeardy · 13/02/2025 19:52

Ok thank you. I’ll rein in my annoyance. It’s an eye-opener.

OP posts:
cestlavielife · 13/02/2025 19:52

Ask the head teacher before you raise with governors

Your ds does not know the qualifications of the TA and cannot be relied on for accurate information he is five right?

LIZS · 13/02/2025 19:52

A TA may still be a qualified teacher or Early Years professional.

Bushmillsbabe · 13/02/2025 19:52

It's absolutely fine, experienced TA's can lead reception for a few days.
Also, I wouldn't 100% rely on my reception child to be fully accurate in their description of who is teaching them, for how long etc. If you have concerns, best to speak directly to the school

Strictly1 · 13/02/2025 19:50

A lot schools cannot afford supply now.

modgepodge · 13/02/2025 19:50

It’s not ideal, I agree. But some children are very disrupted by unknown supply teachers so TAs can actually be a better option. The poor ill teacher is probably still planning for them!

There are plenty of classes across the country where this is a much more permanent situation, due to the teacher shortage.

Dramatic · 13/02/2025 19:49

No they'll be absolutely fine. The TAs probably have just as much knowledge on the reception curriculum as the teacher does.

Autumndayz77 · 13/02/2025 19:48

A lot of schools no longer have a budget for supply teachers so unfortunately it’s the norm across all yeara

DonningMyHardHat · 13/02/2025 19:46

Presumably it’s a few days due to sickness, rather than a long term solution. Makes sense to me.