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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

When do teachers usually tell parents about maternity leave?

70 replies

Tellytibby · 17/10/2023 12:33

Is it the norm for teachers to not tell people about their maternity leave until they're just about to leave? 3 weeks to go apparently and I just found out from my child, who said Miss Teacher's Name isn't going to be here in November because she's having a baby. I asked and she said yes that's correct, shes bearly full term. You can't tell she's pregnant, she's tiny. If I hadn't have asked I don't know that I would've found out until she had left. It doesn't change anything but I feel like it's quite a significant to not tell parents (a change in teacher). Genuinely very happy for her but wondering should we have been told sooner?

OP posts:
caban · 17/10/2023 12:34

3 weeks seems plenty of time.

Coffeerum · 17/10/2023 12:36

Why would you need to know more than 3 weeks?

WhateverMate · 17/10/2023 12:36

Think one of mine were given about a week's notice.

What difference does it make though?

Hermittrismegistus · 17/10/2023 12:37

What difference would knowing sooner make?

TeaKitten · 17/10/2023 12:37

3 weeks is plenty of time to tell the kids, they don’t need much longer. Parents don’t need to no separately, you aren’t a pupil and it’s none of your business.

TigerQueenie · 17/10/2023 12:37

I mean why she's going off isn't really any of your business.

Sunshineclouds11 · 17/10/2023 12:37

I don't see how it's our business tbh, I'd say congrats and good luck!

ilovesooty · 17/10/2023 12:37

I don't think it's up to the teacher to tell you. The headteacher needs to inform parents of a change of teacher at the appropriate time.

overmydeadbody · 17/10/2023 12:38

It makes no difference to you.

SausageAndEggSandwich · 17/10/2023 12:39

It's none of your business really is it. It's private medical information. Yes it's usually obvious that someone is pregnant but it doesn't entitle you to know anything about their plans.

TheShellBeach · 17/10/2023 12:40

Why do you think she should have told you sooner?
It doesn't change anything.

Hibernatalie · 17/10/2023 12:40

YABU because you aren't her employer.

TokyoSushi · 17/10/2023 12:41

I find in primary it's sooner as the kids can see what's happening, but you usually only get a couple of weeks official notice which is mainly who the new teacher will be. In high school, you're rarely told at all, DS might just grunt that the teacher has changed now & then!

Original poster
Tellytibby · 17/10/2023 12:42

Fair enough. Just thought it was short notice that's all as the kids only started in September. Very anxious child who is only just walking into the classroom without crying so maybe I'm just anxious about a change in teacher. Am finding it very exhausting.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 17/10/2023 12:43

Why on earth is the teacher's pregnancy and the stage she's at anything to do with you.

The school just need to let the pupils and parents know within a reasonable period of time that the current teacher is going to be replaced by another teacher and three weeks is plenty of time.

The reason she's leaving is nobodies business except the teacher and the headteacher.

bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:43

Hibernatalie · 17/10/2023 12:40

YABU because you aren't her employer.

Yet you clearly feel entitled as though you are. You no doubt should have been informed.. No wonder no one wants to be a teacher.. imagine 30+ people to answer to?

Original poster
Tellytibby · 17/10/2023 12:45

I'm really not trying to cause an argument. I've not said anything to the school and I don't plan on. I told her I was really happy for her when I saw her. I'm just a completely exhausted mum with an anxious and neurodivergent child who doesn't want to go to school. The only thing he likes about it is his teacher and I'm just a little worried about the change.

OP posts:
bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:45

That was to address OP, agreeing with the quote

TeaKitten · 17/10/2023 12:45

Tellytibby · 17/10/2023 12:42

Fair enough. Just thought it was short notice that's all as the kids only started in September. Very anxious child who is only just walking into the classroom without crying so maybe I'm just anxious about a change in teacher. Am finding it very exhausting.

Even if she told you in September it’d still be ‘short notice’ by what you’ve just said. She has every right to go on maternity leave. Plenty of kids are anxious this early in, it’s exhausting but it will pass eventually. The teacher having a baby or how much notice they give isn’t an issue though.

viques · 17/10/2023 12:45

To be fair OP, I imagine the teacher in question, and the school have organised her maternity cover. It’s not as though your child is going to turn up to school one day and find a note on the whiteboard saying “sorry kids, no teacher today”

bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:46

Maybe you can put in a complaint.. ?

SacAMain · 17/10/2023 12:47

3 weeks is a lot of notice.

If she had a sudden illness or an accident, you would have had no notice at all. Life happens, everyone would prefer to have a great teacher staying for the entire year, but often they can't.

SacAMain · 17/10/2023 12:47

bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:46

Maybe you can put in a complaint.. ?

don't joke, some parents WILL!

TeaKitten · 17/10/2023 12:47

bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:46

Maybe you can put in a complaint.. ?

About what?

Original poster
Tellytibby · 17/10/2023 12:48

bobcat2424 · 17/10/2023 12:43

Yet you clearly feel entitled as though you are. You no doubt should have been informed.. No wonder no one wants to be a teacher.. imagine 30+ people to answer to?

Show quote history

I haven't said anything to the teacher and I haven't said anything to the school either. I never planned on. I just asked whether we should already know that there will be a change in teacher. I accept I am being U.

OP posts:
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