Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3

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:

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 21:29

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?
Oh yes this is possible, there are 3 classes with a shared outdoor area. Now I'm being nosy and want to know the set up but probably won't find out!

OP posts:

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 04/09/2021 21:31

@BlackeyedSusan

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.

Isn't it funny how teaching varies so much. I don't think I could do primary teaching at all - year 6 maybe at a push!

OP posts:

HumbugWhale · 04/09/2021 21:33

When dd1 was in Reception she told her teacher that mummy teaches big children and I remember having a conversation with her teacher about how neither of us could do the other's job!

IHateCoronavirus · 05/09/2021 07:18

I have taught 11-19 and primary with the last 8 years being EYFS year1 I can categorically confirm the most difficult age group to teach is year 9 (set 3, physics on Friday period 5).

Kakser · 05/09/2021 07:26

@Godwitz

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

Mmm, are we really though?! I don't mean to do a disservice to my profession, but I did one day of EYFS shadowing on my PGCE and one week shadowing a Y1/2 class - both my placements were in KS2. Then worked in a junior school for 10 years before I got a job in a primary as a reception teacher! All was great and the children did brilliantly but I think parents would have been surprised (horrified?) if they knew how little specific EYFS training I'd had.

LemonMarshmallow · 05/09/2021 07:26

When one of my dc started school a few years ago I had to stay every day up till the xmas holidays with her and it was amazing to see the difference between sep-Dec

The teachers were amazing it was really really interesting how quickly they got all the children settled etc. Was a lovely 3 months

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 05/09/2021 07:28

@IHateCoronavirus

I have taught 11-19 and primary with the last 8 years being EYFS year1 I can categorically confirm the most difficult age group to teach is year 9 (set 3, physics on Friday period 5).

Haha I had one of those. And they had drama on Friday period 4 so were all riled up from that 🙄

OP posts:

Original poster

HungryHippo11 · 05/09/2021 07:30

@Kakser I agree that teaching, while a trained profession, is so variable that although you can be a trained teacher you could still struggle. A lot. I was a terrible teacher in my NQT year because the PGCE is really only basic training.

OP posts:

switswoo81 · 05/09/2021 07:32

Im in Ireland and we don't have Ta's so it's.just me and the kids. They are a year older starting after 2 years of preschool though so usually come in very well trained.

PumpkinPie2016 · 05/09/2021 07:33

My son's reception teacher was awesome. She had a special way with the children and had them eating out of her hand in no time She had concrete routines and they all followed because she had taught it so well at the beginning of the year.

SiL is a full time reception TA and said that the first couple of weeks, especially the staggered start, they really emphasise the routines with them.

I teach 11-18 and there's no way I could teach infants Equally DS reception teacher said she wouldn't want to do secondary 😂

BronzeBalonze · 05/09/2021 07:40

I hold all teachers in awe really. I would love to have been a primary school teacher (thought about it long and hard as my school careers officer suggested it)
I just couldn't face the prospect of all those Parents

RavenclawsRoar · 05/09/2021 07:46

I'm a secondary teacher and couldn't do it! I was so torn between primary and secondary when I did my PGCE but I just knew I'd find little ones absolutely exhausting.

Lostatsea10 · 05/09/2021 07:52

I’m a secondary teacher though mainly yr 9+ and anyone teaching/working in an EYFS environment has me in awe. I have a 3.5 yr old who attends pre school and the ability to ‘manage’ 24 3-4 year olds is a skill I don’t and will never acquire. They are superheroes. Give me a class of 16 year olds and I’ll teach them, negotiate with them and generally get them playing ball the way I want with high behaviour expectations. Give me a handful of pre schoolers and I’d be a weeping, rocking wreck in the corner. It’s witchcraft- that is clearly the only explanation.

AttaGirrrrl · 05/09/2021 07:54

@Godwitz

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

Wow. Goady, much?

ExceptionalAssurance · 05/09/2021 07:56

@Regulus

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

Is that still allowed? There used to be loads when I was in primary but I never hear of it now.

Mummyme87 · 05/09/2021 08:12

Find it odd there isn’t a full time TA aswell. My boys school, nursery is teacher and TA to 26 nursery children, and in school teacher and TA to 30. Which is still think is amazing

CliffsofMohair · 05/09/2021 08:22

@switswoo81

Im in Ireland and we don't have Ta's so it's.just me and the kids. They are a year older starting after 2 years of preschool though so usually come in very well trained.

Similar, I’m a primary teacher in Ireland . I don’t have a TA. DD has just started Junior Infants in a class of 33 with no TA.

Poppitt58 · 05/09/2021 08:44

Regulus If you can volunteer, it makes the world of difference having parent helpers.
Is that still allowed? There used to be loads when I was in primary but I never hear of it now.

Prior to covid it was still normal where I work and where my kids go. Both had volunteers who listened to readers.

LittleBiscuit09 · 05/09/2021 08:46

Vodka. (Away from the children)
Mulitiple mental breakdowns a week (again away from the children)
We're all a. Little bit mental

DeadButDelicious · 05/09/2021 09:04

I don't know how they do it, I know I couldn't but they do a bloody marvellous job. DD starts reception tomorrow and I am confident her teachers will make it a fabulous experience for her. She had some transition days from nursery at the end of last year and she absolutely loved it.

Theworldishard · 05/09/2021 09:06

That is poor staffing imo. I have worked in a school for 7 years and our reception would always have a teaching assistant in there mornings and afternoons, even if it was job shared. A teacher can not and should not be left alone for the reasons you have mentioned. We have often had two teaching assistants in and this year there are only 15 children.
I would gently raise it with someone at the school because something will not be getting done due to that poor ratio. Behaviour will not be picked up on, etc. It's risky for everyone.

Birdkin · 06/09/2021 23:30

@switswoo81

Im in Ireland and we don't have Ta's so it's.just me and the kids. They are a year older starting after 2 years of preschool though so usually come in very well trained.

I never knew Ireland doesn’t have TAs. Not to derail the thread but what do you guys about changing children after accidents (we have to have 2 members of staff) and what about children who need 1:1? Is there a different role that does interventions?

DinosApple · 07/09/2021 00:03

I've been a TA in reception class for a couple of years.
Our school spends a lot on support staff. Last year there was the teacher and two TAs full time. The year before there was the teacher, 2 TAs plus a 1:1. It definitely helps having lots of adults!

Today I was sat on the floor in the middle of the circle modelling how we sit with our legs crossed, where we put our hands (no, not up our skirts ), etc. I like it, the children are so funny.

Flip

1 2 3