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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To wonder how on earth reception teachers do it?

73 replies

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 02:18

My oldest child is starting reception this week and I just have no idea how her teacher is going to manage 30 four year old children! At nursery their ratios are 1:8 and now it suddenly jumps to 1:30?!

Ours have an LSA in the morning but not in the afternoon. How is the lone teacher supposed to do anything in the afternoon by herself? One kid needs help with the toilet or hurts themselves, are the other 29 just left to their own devices. I just don't see how it is possible. Plus they're not just supposed to be supervised but actually learn stuff as well!

AIBU to wonder how on earth they manage? I'm a teacher myself but I teach in secondary school so at least the kids are self sufficient and mostly sit still!

OP posts:

GuyFawkesDay · 04/09/2021 07:52

Reception teachers are heroes with bottomless pits of patience. My mum did it for 30 years in infants/EYFS and she was incredible with them. Her ex pupils still hug her when she sees them (and some of them are in their 40s now!!!)

I teach secondary....what goes wrong is that kids become more independent thinkers and independent learners. As they should be. Add in hormones and the changing brain of teens who are moving away from parents and teachers and more towards other influences and that's why it all goes "wrong". But I don't think it does: 99% of the kids I've taught have been delightful. Even the naughties I like them personally, just not always how they behave but there's inevitably a reason for it.

Whinge · 04/09/2021 07:54

@EdithGrantham

I'm a reception teacher and whilst I can "manage" 30 children the majority of the time on my own for the reasons you've listed; first aid/toilet emergencies I can't imagine being without a TA for half the time. Also, it would often just be managing the children in the case of having one member of staff in the classroom set-up I have i.e. supervising them rather than having good interactions which support their learning. High quality early years style provision of this sort probably wouldn't be manageable long term with only a teacher and 30 children and more formality would be needed.

I agree with this. I could manage as a one off due to sickness, but long term it's far from ideal. If I were the teacher in this situation i'd be on my knees before half term.

Russell19 · 04/09/2021 07:58

@MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers

I thought by law an EYFS class had to have a full time TA in addition to the class teacher. Is that not true?

@MyCatEatsPrawnCrackers No, ratio is 1:30 (if the 1 is a teacher!) If the 1 adult is a TA/LSA then ratio is less and more adults are needed.

Jigsawtrain · 04/09/2021 07:58

Our school always has a FT TA in reception class. The door is always open so usually half of the class are outside and half are inside. This would be impossible without a teacher and a TA.

Nomorefuckstogive · 04/09/2021 07:59

@Godwitz

They are trained professionals, you know! I just wonder why it often all goes to pot at secondary school.

They become teenagers.

Chanel05 · 04/09/2021 08:13

I used to teach reception and it is bloody hard work but so wonderful to work with children who are beginning their educational journey.

You need lots of tea, a stash of biscuits and chocolate in your cupboard, as well as a trusty LSA to be on hand for any toilet accidents, medical and support with children making good progress.

HosannainExcelSheets · 04/09/2021 08:28

School and home are totally different situations. I can get 30 reception children organised and learning easier than I can get my 3 DC to do anything...

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 18:13

@Godwitz

If the children have been in a good preschool the Early Years Practitioners will have focused on getting them "school ready" by teaching them boundaries and independence. They lay the foundation for reception and a level 6 EYP can have a ratio of 1:13.

Unfortunately my daughter missed a large chunk of the preschool year mainly for covid reasons, and was only doing a few mornings a week anyway. And their highest level was level 2. So not a great foundation. I'm not worried about her specifically. She is bright, toilet trained and follows instructions. I just don't know how they do it.

OP posts:

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 18:15

@Regulus

If you can volunteer, it makes the world of difference having parent helpers.

I would love to but I have another daughter who I look after full time, and two other voluntary roles outside of this so apart from occasionally offering to listen to readers or similar I wouldn't be able to do a lot

OP posts:

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 18:17

@Godwitz

They are trained professionals, you know! I just wonder why it often all goes to pot at secondary school.

I know they are trained professionals, I am also a teacher 🙄

OP posts:

Abitlost2 · 04/09/2021 18:20

Kids are generally very differently behaved for teachers or other people who aren't their parents. I still think its a very full on job.
I used to work as a secondary school teacher and I managed fine in loads of different schools and class sizes. I guess I'll be absolutely sorted once my 3 kids are teenagers.....

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 18:20

I know there are some HLTAs in the school who work across all classes, so maybe they have a rota to cover all the afternoons of this class rather than having one TA who does full time. She starts this week so I guess we will find out. I know teaching assistants are a huge support to teachers in primary, and secondary if you can get them.

OP posts:

Whinge · 04/09/2021 18:23

@HungryHippo11

I really hope they allocate the HLTA to the reception classes. I know they do crucial work in other year groups, but the thought of a reception teacher alone with 30 children and no support is worrying.

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 18:28

The fact that so many people are surprised/concerned about no TA in the afternoon suggests that they probably will have one, maybe just not the same one every day

OP posts:

Godwitz · 04/09/2021 18:32

And their highest level was level 2

They would've been out of ratio then.

I know they are trained professionals, I am also a teacher 🙄

Me too. That's why I don't get this witchcraft and miracle workers nonsense. We're just doing what we're trained to do.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 04/09/2021 18:45

Generally we don’t give kids credit for what they can do. I taught after school for 5yo and for the most part they were self sufficient. They could all listen, follow directions, and were well behaved. At this age they also still want to please their teachers and put in effort to following rules and getting positive reinforcement.

My old neighbor was telling me about Sr. Amelda, who fled Nazi Germany in the late 30’s and was essentially plunked into a classroom of 50 5yo with no training and little English language skills. This was totally common at the time.

Waveafterwaveslowlydrifting · 04/09/2021 18:46

It's a very hard job. Massively rewarding and great fun but exhausting.

I'm a teacher in ks1 but I think year R is harder. It's physically and mentally exhausting. The children are delightful but need a lot of support.

HumbugWhale · 04/09/2021 18:53

I am a secondary teacher and have been for 20 years. Before that I did some work experience in primary including a term in Reception. I can honestly say it is the tiredest I have ever been!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 04/09/2021 19:37

I always sort of think it's because the point of the first term of reception seems to be to essentially socialise them! The academic goals are very basic (prepares to be hammered for saying this but I stand by it) most of the focus is on getting them used to following instructions etc. These days a high proportion of children are coming from a formal childcare setting so should be managing toileting & clothing etc independently and used to socialising with their peers, turn taking, sharing etc.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 04/09/2021 19:38

That said I think reception teachers must have a very special kind of patience combined with some secret authority that just teaches from their voice.

Milkbottlelegs · 04/09/2021 19:46

They have magical powers. I truly believe that.

Wnikat · 04/09/2021 20:18

Witchcraft, I think. The same witchcraft that nursery assistants use to get a room full of 2 year olds to all nap at the same time.

Seashor · 04/09/2021 20:45

I’ve taught nursery and reception for many years. It is absolutely exhausting. My husband watched me once and he suddenly realised why I was so shattered at the end of the week.

BlackeyedSusan · 04/09/2021 20:56

Reception is easy... compared to teaching teens. I am constantly amazed that one of mine has learned anything.

In other words... reception teaching is different from secondary teaching and you teach to your strengths.

Oh and you teach them lots in the first half term. It is amazing what you can do.

Birdkin · 04/09/2021 21:28

@HungryHippo11

The fact that so many people are surprised/concerned about no TA in the afternoon suggests that they probably will have one, maybe just not the same one every day

Yes I would be very surprised if they don’t in the afternoon, in every school I’ve worked in having full time TAs in reception has always been a priority.

I have seen a setup of 2 TAs running the outside for 3 classes and a teacher in each class during staff shortages before, they might be doing this? Not ideal but better than no TA.

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