Teacher told dd4 that she won’t be able to go into year 1 if she can’t read..

[WaitroseAldi]

Dd is 5 in July, so she’s one of the youngest in her class. On top of this she has a speech therapy as she struggles with pronouncing some sounds.

She’s doing absolutely amazing though and loves school. She’s been so excited to move to year 1 as they have been on about it at school.

I thought she was quite good at reading. We read every night before bed. But she came home last night and said the teacher had told her if she can’t read she won’t be able to go into year 1, which has obviously really upset her.

We are going to keep practicing even more now but I feel awful for her :(

Perhaps it was said to the whole class in passing? Still unacceptable but trying to be generous. I hope you got a satisfactory answer. I hope your daughter fully understands when you tell her that her current ability to read is just where it should be and has absolutely not bearing on her moving classes.

My first memory (of anything) was being taken by the hand by a reception teacher and taken up the path back towards pre-school - with the threat that I would be taken back permanently if I didn’t try harder to write my name. I remember finding it really hard and therefore not wanting to do it (probably being a bit difficult) - I’m a July birthday so I would have been early 4 when it happened. It was because of this and subsequent shaming and singling out in my early school years that I struggled with confidence the whole way through. (Just to add, I’m now a high earning, high achiever so fine long run) - but it made for an uncomfortable time for me for many years.

It’s never acceptable as a teacher to threaten or shame a child (or class) as a motivational technique. My 4.5 year old is read to every night and cannot read a single word yet, your DD sounds like she’s doing great.

@Changechangychange

I like to think that all Reception teachers are kind souls

I had two who were scary and horrible, and DBro had one who used to force him to wet himself because she wanted to “train his bladder” (he had just turned 4 and knew when he needed to go but couldn’t hold for long - she carried that one for the entire year despite letters from a paediatrician). Different schools in different counties (Ed moved house).

I really don’t know why people find it hard to believe a reception teacher has said this. Obviously OP’s daughter won’t actually be held back, but I have no trouble believing it was said. It would be a very random thing for a four year old to make up from nothing.

I’m sure most are lovely, but there are unsuitable people in all professions.

Hence my qualifying words "like to think" and "hopefully". I've only met lovely reception teachers in my 12 years of teaching but there may well exist those who aren't as nice.

Nowhere did I state that it couldn't possibly be true. However I feel on balance it's more likely the child has misunderstood. I made sure when I taught reception to keep things clear as 4-year-olds can take things literally or not get subtle differences in tone of voice or choice of words. I still had children who sometimes misunderstood something.

However, OP just needs to ask the teacher and see what reaction she gets. From there it may be clearer what exactly was said. If true, it's not funny and the teacher needs to think more carefully about what she's saying.