To be a bit grumpy at the schools timing of the maths workshop?

[bloob]

The school are running a numeracy workshop for parents of reception children. There are two: one straight after school and one at 9am.

Siblings and (at the after school one) older children are NOT allowed.

This basically means I can't go.

Anyone who doesn't have children at the school (and would therefore want to go) who could look after ds has their own dc to collect / pick up at that time, and besides which I wouldn't have time to drop ds to them before it started.

I may be being a bit unreasonable but I really wanted to go to this!

I was going to ask the teacher if she could spare 5 mins to go through the basics with me & ask for a copy of the notes, wibu to mention that I really wanted to go but couldn't because of the timings / siblings combo?

If there are 2 sessions at school couldn't you "swap children" with someone else in the same position and go to one each?

People who work during the day won't be able to go at all.
I'd expect the school to circulate some guidance notes (if they don't you should ask) though.

I would mention it. Maybe they may decide to do another.

They will have restrictions as well, but as long as you aren't rude it about, it can't hurt to ask.

Yanbu. I'd just take them along and see what they do. You could leave your DC outside the room with a snack and book. How long is the session?

Our school did this one year and lots of people complained. The next year (and subsequent years), the school has allocated one classroom for the presentation/discussion with parents and the next door classroom for a couple of TAs to look after all the children, including siblings. They just sit them all down on the carpet and put a DVD on for them to watch. Hardly a big deal, but means everyone who wants to can attend the maths/literacy sessions now.

Thanks :)

Last time for the literacy one they set up duplo in the hall so you could hear them and they were entertained, which I thought worked well.

I did think no working parents would be able to go (and my working friends aren't) :( it seems like really poor planning and the school are usually quite good, we have a large amount of working parents.

I have now managed to arrange a babysitter for ds, though I haven't left him with this person before so I'm hoping he won't freak out!!

Don't go !
I went to one once , all the parents were sat down at single desks ,given a pencil and a sats paper. This was a lesson in us experiencing what the children go through apparently.
It was awful -at the end of our 'exam' we had to mark each others papers and read out the results.
I won't sleep tonight now, the memory has disturbed a deep routed trauma!

When I've been to that sort of thing with a sibling in tow, I;ve only taken in 50% or less of what's said. Because, even with a very good child who's sitting quietly it can take most of your concentration.

If younger children couldn't go, I wouldn't be able to go, end of. I don't have anybody who could look after them. I'd feed back to the school why I couldn't go, but wouldn't worry about it.

Coldlightofday- probably how to support your child's numeracy through everyday activities I would imagine. I doubt they'll touch on simultaneous equations or algebra, if that's what you're thinking.

our DD's school do them in the evening. Yes, we have to get a baby sitter, but it does mean I can at least go after getting home from work (or at least one of us can go).