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Original poster

Reception child released at end of day before parent had got there

28 replies

Bathtimebubble · 06/10/2023 21:53

At the end of the day in my dc’s reception class all the parents wait outside the classroom in the playground and the teacher releases the children once she’s seen the child’s parents.
Today a child was released but his parent hadn’t arrived yet, he wondered around for about 20 seconds before several other parents realised what had happened and sent him back into the classroom.

i know nothing bad actually happened and it was spotted very quickly but it’s left me feeling a bit disconcerted and anxious. I feel like I want to email the teacher or something but I’m not sure to what ends, she obviously realised she made a mistake when the child went back in classroom.
Am I making a mountain out of a mole hill, or am I right to feel that this was a bit of a crap thing to happen?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 06/10/2023 21:54

No, you’re right to safeguard the children and complain.

ASDADDY · 06/10/2023 21:56

Your right to be concerned and I'm sure the teacher felt terrible but this is why us parents have to keep an eye out for each other like you all obviously did as mistakes will always happen.

GuardiansPlayList · 06/10/2023 21:57

20 seconds? You are making a mountain out of a molehill.

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Morechocmorechoc · 06/10/2023 21:58

What a strange system. Surely it would be safer if parents were handed their children, not them being sent across a playground! It's a huge safety issue, I would raise it.

Soontobe60 · 06/10/2023 22:00

It’s not great, and in my school that member of staff would be spoken to about it. However, it can be a bit of a nightmare at home time, especially with Reception children when we don't yet know all the parents so early in the year. A crowd of 30+ adults in a group can cause identification problems! Many of our parents also wear Hijab / niqabs which means we have to be even more careful.

LoveBluey · 06/10/2023 22:26

We have the same system and it can be a bit chaotic. I'm not aware of any issues and always make eye contact with the teacher from across the playground before my DD is released. Those whose parents are not waiting / collecting siblings from other year groups sit on a bench by the teacher.

MadridMadridMadrid · 06/10/2023 23:57

It's not great, but given that it appears to have been a one off and quickly sorted with no harm done, I wouldn't take things any further.

IwishIdidntlikesugar · 07/10/2023 07:01

Please dont. Parents often look extremely similar. It can happen to anyone. She will be aware. No need to bring it up again.

Belltentdreamer · 07/10/2023 07:04

if You don’t want this to happen again be there when the school gate is open so you’re always on the playground as the teacher starts to let the children out

Bookish88 · 07/10/2023 07:17

Belltentdreamer · 07/10/2023 07:04

if You don’t want this to happen again be there when the school gate is open so you’re always on the playground as the teacher starts to let the children out

Is comprehension an issue for you? Maybe read the OP again.

MaggieFS · 07/10/2023 07:23

Presumably she thought she had seen the parent and made a genuine mistake? I might be wrong but she will have realised and if it's a one off, I wouldn't say anything. If it's a persistent problem then I would be saying something as the system might need review.

Fifireee · 07/10/2023 07:23

20 seconds.
Call the cops.

VashtaNerada · 07/10/2023 07:45

I did this once with a Year One child. I muddled up two different parents and sent out the wrong child. It made me feel absolutely sick when I realised what had happened. Horrible. (Child was fine!) All you can do is support the teacher and say your child’s name loudly and clearly until they’re confident with everyone’s faces!

43ontherocksporfavor · 07/10/2023 07:50

I cover teachers and hand over at home time . The teacher will be mortified and will almost certainly be thinking the same but you are right to raise it with them.
At my school the parents stand all over the playground and it can be hard to spot them especially when it’s raining and they have hoods up and umbrellas.

flustereddriver75 · 07/10/2023 07:57

Our school had this except that the Reception age child decided to walk home. He was found a mile away by the grandparent of a child in the school and brought back. Nobody had even realised he was missing because he was supposed to be in an after school club and they didn't check where he was. He was fine but it was a massive issue in the school.

I'm guessing in your scenario the teacher is already well aware of the mistake and going hot and cold at the thought of the near miss. It's easily done actually, which is scary.

43ontherocksporfavor · 07/10/2023 08:05

Our Head stands at the playground gate and another teacher at school gate so we do have a back-up.

MrsWombat · 07/10/2023 08:09

I would send a quick email into the school to make sure it was being looked into and leave it at that. Trust me, there will already be an investigation going on. My son's school also has a member of staff on the outside gate too making sure no small child leaves without an adult.

Original poster
Bathtimebubble · 07/10/2023 08:24

Thanks for all the responses, I feel like the majority are the same as my gut, it’s not the end of the world but a bit of a near miss and a quick/ not heavy handed email could be a good idea.

For the people saying it’s 20 seconds it’s no big deal, it’s not the amount of time that’s the problem, it’s that if none of the other parents had noticed the child could very easily been out the gate.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bathtimebubble · 07/10/2023 08:25

It wasn’t my child and I am always there before they start releasing the children.

i would however prefer to feel that if I’m two minutes late there isn’t a risk if my child being loose in the playground/ wondering out into the street.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bathtimebubble · 07/10/2023 08:27

i can’t quote for some reason but the above was in response to @Belltentdreamer

OP posts:
Mistressanne · 07/10/2023 08:31

Out of interest OP have you given your dc any advice on what to do in this situation?
My dd knew that if I wasn’t there she should take herself to after school club and explain that no parent had arrived.
We did however have a fab after school club who knew dd very well.

Belltentdreamer · 07/10/2023 08:32

Same advice to any parent!
it’s obviously not good at all from the teacher and I’m sure they aren’t feeling great about it but these sorts of issues can be avoided by parents being punctual.

EarringsandLipstick · 07/10/2023 08:33

I think this is completely over the top - the teacher knows what happened & doesn't need an email.

All the posts about 'across the playground' - OP didn't say this; she said they wait in the playground, outside the classroom so presumably there's not a massive distance between the parents & room / teacher.

Don't send an email OP. And stop worrying.

YouJustDoYou · 07/10/2023 08:33

We had that once, one of the kids was a runner and she managed to somehow make it out the classroom, through the playground and out the school gates to run after her mum, who was by then long gone. Bit scary.

Oblomov23 · 07/10/2023 08:34

That shouldn't happen. Once teacher sees parent, Child is let go. On rare occasion teacher doesn't see parent, child steps to the side.