...to not be happy with the way the school does things?

[gimmecakeandcandy]

I need opinions here please...

My child started school last September so he is in reception but I - and lots of other mums - have not been very happy with the lack of communication with regards to how our kids are doing/their progress etc. Other mums I know with children at other schools have told me they get updates via email, text, etc on things going on, one mum told me her school invited parents in so they could take them through how they teach the kids to read etc so they could follow it up at home, etc.

At our school I learnt from another mum that some kids have had reading books but others haven't and I had to ask about it, whereas I expected more communication about how our kids are getting on. There just seems to be a general lack of communication compared to what i hear from friends with children at other schools and it is bugging me as I'm not sure if I should be bugged iyswim!

Should I be 'bugged' or not?! I just don't know!

[gimmecakeandcandy]

Erm no robot

The teachers admitted they hadn't been organised enough and didn't get all the pots ready. Nothing to do with the children.

[Fakebook]

OP, yanbu. I'm really surprised you have no form of communication with the school. My dd started reception last September too and we are notified of everything that happens via a weekly newsletter home from their class teacher and daily updates on the class whiteboard every morning. They should be letting you know what the children are learning. Since September we've had 2 workshop sessions seeing and understanding how they learn to solve problems.

Re the reading, at the end of last term only children who are ready to read were sent home a letter inviting their parents to a workshop on the first day of the new term to see how they will learn. There are loads of children who aren't ready yet and they will be starting perhaps later in the term as they all learn at different rates.

You need to start communication yourself with the teacher if you want information I suppose. Your school sounds really disorganised though.

[gimmecakeandcandy]

Log books are provided by the teachers!

I will speak to the teacher and volunteer for reading etc too, thanks x

[gimmecakeandcandy]

That's exactly it fakebook - some help and communication - workshops are n excellent idea and one I will be asking for.

[outtolunchagain]

I don't think it is unreasonable if book boxes are in bags for there to be some form of communication about what you are meant to do with them , not everyone has been through the system before.

We have a meeting at gbe beginning of each year ( even now in year6 ) where the teacher outlines roughly what is going to be covered in the year, any new systems etc or notable organisation issues . You also get to meet the teacher . It just sets the year up. Letters on topics come home in bags / by email eg trips, costumes needed clubs etc .Texts on more urgent things such as club cancelations etc

[gimmecakeandcandy]

Any suggestions how I approach it in a way that doesn't sound critical etc? Just speak to my child's teacher or include anyone else? Suggestions very welcome!

[Fakebook]

Gimme, do you have class representatives? If not, then I'd get in touch with the governors yourself and make suggestions and attend meetings. The school really should understand that starting school is scary for the child and the parent.

[JeezyOrangePips]

I don't get the issue.

Many kids will have older siblings at the school and so the parents will already know about reading books etc.

I would imagine that if you aren't sure the thing to do would be to ask.

I've never had regular communication from the school - but I've always been able to raise any issues or ask any questions when I've needed to.

[Onezerozero]

DD's school writes a half page note every day about what she has been doing and learning in an A5 notepad. I am expected to write a similar note every day about what she has done and learnt at home.
Every day!
She is reception.

[LadyKinbote]

YANBU - the first term of Reception is one of the stages in education when communication is vital. While it's likely that you would have been spoken to if there were problems, you can't be sure of that. DD had her first parents evening in November (I think) and both her reading and library books had an accompanying letter. We've also had group sessions on literacy and numeracy. This is a state school in a not particularly wealthy area of London so I'm not convinced budgets have anything to do with it. Do you know when your first parents evening is?

[yellowsubmarine53]

Our school does 'parental involvement' sessions after school most Mondays for reception parents/carers.

They cover phonics, story telling, maths etc and we were given lots of tips about how to support our children's learning at home and resources like number lines. Also gave people a chance to address any concerns with their class teacher.

Not all parents can attend workshops after school,though, so they sent resources home with the other children.

They were really helpful, in addition to termly parent meetings.

[GrumpySod]

Reception child that can write a half page note every day?!

Some schools are set in their ways & slow to try new things. There's no harm in asking for more info about your own child's progress.

[nilbyname]

Just say- "I want to talk to you about dd and see some her work, when is a good time for you to sit down with me and do that?"

Then in the meeting you can be more specific- " can you show me what phase of phonics you are on, how do you teach that, what should I be doing at home? Where is she with her numeracy, at home she can ..." Then I would be asking to see some examples of her work, what areas of the class room she plays most in, who she plays with.

After all that you could then say how much you have enjoyed talking like this and you would like to do it again and you have found it really helpful. Then offer up done of your time to come in and do sonething with the children, writing their names with them, reading with them

[Tanith]

I've been looking around infant schools this year - my DD goes in September.
One of the parents asked a headteacher if they would be getting a daily diary sheet like they do at nursery and I remember thinking "When on earth is the teacher meant to find time to do that?!".
Then I realised that a lot of the other parents seemed to want daily diaries, too!

Schools and nursery schools aren't daycare so they don't produce the same amount of reporting to parents. Most rely on verbal communication.

Interesting debate, really :)
Should Reception classes and pre-schools produce the same level of communication as daycare nurseries and childminders? They're all registered Early Years settings, following the EYFS.

[Fakebook]

I think it would be hard writing a diary for a 30 children everyday. However, at our open morning last month, we got to see our Hilda's learning journal that showed work they did everyday and post it notes written by teachers when they'd made an observation about our dc. It was a lot like a nursery key person diary.

[Dancergirl]

OP, I don't know what a word pot is but really, if you are going to get so upset as to post on a forum about this, you are going to have a VERY hard time as your child progresses through school.

How many children are there in the class, about 30? Do you have any idea how long it takes for the teacher and TAs to get to know each child and assess their abilities? I would say much if the first term is for settling in, it really does take that long. Parents are often in such a rush for their child to read when this stage, other things such as speaking and listening are more important. I would stop comparing with other parents what your child does or doesn't bring home for your own sanity.

As a governor, you would not believe the hoops schools have to jump through these days to get a good OFSTED report, and you know what? A lot of it is a waste of time IMO. It's making schools into businesses when they should be able to concentrate on teaching. Would you rather the teacher spends time emailing parents each week, or spends time planning a really good lesson for your child?

You have to put in a certain amount of trust on the school that it knows what it's doing. And look at the bigger picture: when your child is 18 and going to university, it won't matter if they have a reading pot or whatever in reception.

As for supporting your child at home....a lot of it is common sense. YOU know your child better than anyone and the best way to help him or her learn. You don't really need explanation as to what to do with a reading book. Some teachers do communicate better than others but that's just how it is.

[Mayisout]

My son was slow to read, much slower than his DSs. But he went on to do fine, he just started slower and decided to start working in about third year of uni.

I wonder if you are anxious because your DS does not seem to be doing as well as others. But children learn at their own rate. Def worth having a word with the teacher though.

[swallowedAfly]

i don't think ybu actually.

when ds started reception we were invited in for an evening session on the phonics system and how they would be teaching so we could support learning. we had the system with books explained to us (that they'd get reading when they were ready essentially and not to worry they all learn at their own pace).

then within the first term we had a mini parents evening just for 5 mins for teacher to tell us how our child was settling in and whether there were any concerns. we then had a proper parents evening the next term with more details.

i personally do think that parents should know (especially when kids first start at school) how and what the school will be teaching and how parents can support that process at home. many parents are totally unfamiliar with phonics and modern ways of teaching reading so imo all schools should offer a familiarisation workshop.

also we would get notes on what sound groups they were working on and sets of words sent home with instructions on how to play the game - initially asking them to find the word card that you are saying and eventually moving on to having them tell you which each was etc.

and this is from a school i don't think is that great tbh so i feel sorry for you if yours is worse!

[gimmecakeandcandy]

I am not 'so upset' I was getting bugged by some things and this is the perfect place to ask for opinions as I know I will get a lot of honest views! I have listened and taken on board many different views on this and have decided to speak to the teacher - thanks so much nilbyname for your suggestions and to everyone who has taken the time to post, I appreciate it a lot and it has made me chill a bit on how I feel and the best thing to do is discuss with the teacher and make myself available for helping with reading etc.

I'm glad I posted here. Thanks everyone x

[Fakebook]

I just re read my post and want to confirm my Dd's name isn't Hilda...my phone somehow autocorrected "child" to "Hilda"....

[gimmecakeandcandy]

Lol - I did wonder About that fakebook!


Not the there is anything wrong with Hilda!

[Fakebook]

Yes, Hilda is a lovely name....(!)

[StrawberryTot]

YABU, sorry this sound harsh but it's school not nursery, considering all the work teachers put in before/ during and after school time, they just don't have the time to continually update parents on their children's progress. My dd's school has 2 parents evenings (october and march) an end of year school report and a news letter. Also my dd didn't bring a book home for a couple of months as they start sending them home when the child is ready not when the parent says so. From what I gather your child has only been there one term, so what are you expecting?

[swallowedAfly]

but effort you put into parents goes into the children - letting parents know what and how you are teaching and how to support it means the children do better. hence why so many schools do involve parents.

[wonkylegs]

I'm surprised at how much we get
Our school is on parent mail & sends home additional letters.
We seem to get something most days. Volunteers required for trips or activities. Things the kids, teachers, school, church, PTA, LA are doing (is a church school) or need help doing.
Can we take in boxes, cakes, books, fancy dress, bikes etc for x event.
PTA newsletters, fundraising efforts & events.
Reminders about holidays, afterschool clubs, inset days, school dinners, trips, uniform sales etc.
It's not really done by the teachers (although obviously has their input) but the school office and parent volunteers.
Perhaps OP should volunteer to help with a newsletter or something.
I don't see how school does activities if in doesn't communicate with parents for help.