What would you do if a university student wanted to bring her newborn to class?

Buffy - I think the students would feel the same. I think all students with children would want the same treatment. Being accepting of one mother may cause a situation where you have to exclude others. This isn't a reason not to allow the baby in the lecture, necessarily. However, I think it will inevitably cause problems. You making a decision on what age is older enough for a child to be in a crèche, policy being made where birth certificates are required, etc.

I think parent/child courses may work as seperate entity.

You can make the precedent quite clear. Agreed on a one-off basis, for specific instances, if the lecturer is happy and the other students agree (on my courses they'd tend to agree. Lots of mature students with children). And on the agreement that if the baby cries it goes out.

Not a general, all-children-welcome frenzy.

i wouldnt allow it - once you allow one you have set a precedence, where does it stop? what if all your students wanted to bring their babies with them the following week? you cant say no because you have allowed one, if you said no to all you leave yourself open to being accused of favouritism/discrimination.

Of course H&S rules come into it. what if the baby, with all its bits and pieces, were sitting by a door and a fire broke out and the rest of your class clambered to get out that door - who would be responsible for a baby getting injured or worse - would everyone be able to get out safely in a panic?

I wish I could have taken my DD into University- I have had to put the remainder of my MSc on hold

Good point Frey.

When I was doing my postgrad degree one of the PhD students got pregnant and the college was going to turf her out of college accommodation (she was in married accommodation but in a block with the single rooms) because of the risk of the baby disturbing other students. The graduate community was very supportive of her even though we were the ones who would supposedly get disturbed and we persuaded the college to let her stay.

Buffy - you assume the students would say, "no". I think the best thing is to ask them. Its the students investment.

Courses for mothers with young children would be a good idea though. Not practical for every course provided by an institute but with the high fees, they would easily turn a profit.

My English teacher when I was in year 8 brought her newborn to class and taught with him sucking away. She was African, and I think it was normal for her; we were studying Chaucer, and she was a great teacher.

I know him so there is no issue there!

If my DDS1, who is in his first year of university, told me a baby came to lectures, I would be on the telephone that instant to the Vice-Chancellor to complain!

Just say no.

Buffy- isn't allowing children in lectures pandering? Tuition fees are overpriced. I think if they are paying and the fact that children were allowed in lectures, wasn't stated in the prospectus, then you should ask the students.

Blimey. I read it and thought that this was a no-brainer. Obviously not. I think the consterrnation with this is because the workplace (and in this case Universities) are set up for men with no childcare responsibilities. It isn't the norm. It is a bit scary to go against the norm. But tbh this needs to change. If your student is happy and comfortable with doing that then I'd say go for it.

I also think the point about the baby changing the social dynamic, really interesting and possibly really useful in a collaborative environment such as a univeristy.

I think you have to ask the students. Education is very expensive these days. The students indirectly pay your wages.
I wouldn't advise it in schools or 6th form but if it's going to work, it might in university. The problem maybe if others bring their children too. 10 children aged 1month to 4 years maybe a problem.

If the baby will be sleeping or feeding quietly, then it wouldn't cause a problem.

But that's an assumption that cannot be relied upon.

And of is qualification is needed for her future career and financial security, then proper childcare so she has some hours when can put full attention on her studies could put her in a far better position in the long run.

As an emergency measure, taking a baby along needn't be a problem. But it's not a good arrangement as the risk is missing a lot of lecture time because you cannot count on a baby being co-operatively quiet.

'The addition of the (very easy going, quiet) baby opened the class up, and even the shyer students contributed far more than they might otherwise have done in more conventional circumstances.'

That's a very interesting point. I can imagine that dynamic. In all my years of teaching the group that learnt least were the group that didn't gel and hence weren't brave enough to contribute in front of each other. The social aspect is often underplayed, I think.

I'd say yes, on the understanding that she sits somewhere that she can get up and leave discreetly without disrupting the lesson, as soon as the baby makes any noise that might disrupt the class. And that if it doesn't work out, she needs to make other arrangements without fuss. Those would be non-negotiable terms.

I teach AE and one year let a student bring her baby in until he was crawling age, when it had to stop. Tbh, the baby did distract the students a fair bit, but it also created a strong bond within that particular class and they all went on to do well. I think we can be too narrow minded about what enables education. The addition of the (very easy going, quiet) baby opened the class up, and even the shyer students contributed far more than they might otherwise have done in more conventional circumstances.

But I was trying o work in a public library the other day and a mother was rolling round on the floor singing her heart out to her baby who was chuckling loudly. In many circumstances, very cute but I wanted to push her out the door. So insensitive.