To expect a child to read with a grown up at least a couple of times in the first term of reception?

[Benibidibici]

DC is late aug birthday so only just four on starting school. Happy there and enjoying it etc, settled in fine.

They are never heard read by any adult. Teacher has acknowledged this.

Have found out this week some kids are reading with an adult one on one three or four times a week.

I know they have to focus on the ones who need a bit of help but come the fuck on, how does a little 4 year old feel if they never get that little bit of one on one time with a grown up and others get loads? Its not just about the reading - its about that bit of attention, the teacher or TA learning who they are and how they respond. Surely they can fit in my DC once or twice a term if they can find 3 or 4 times a week for other kids. Dc hates never getting picked to go and read. :(

Of course YANBU in principle. I just hope you’ve never voted Tory as that’s where the blame lies!

That said, having had one child who excels academically across the board and one who has SEND, I can see why they will read more with those who struggle. My eldest was going to do brilliantly whether read with or not, my youngest needs all the help going.

That said, this is all a bit unfair on those in the middle

having had one child who excels academically across the board and one who has SEND, I can see why they will read more with those who struggle.

Totally understand more.

Don't understand never in a term vs 40+ times in a term.

I've voted YABU for the reason that I think directing all this attention on the amount of times a child of four is listened to "reading" is IMO ridiculous. How much actual reading are they doing at that age? They are recognising sight words (easily checked in group or whole class activities) or doing simple blending (again easy to see which children can.) My daughter is 5, I read with her every night and do phonics work at home as Sent home by school). Nobody needs to listen to her read as that's not appropriate for her age - even if she could read. That makes reading into a test. Reading should be an enjoyable shared activity. Not an opportunity to show off to a teacher.

Have never voted tory.

Ever.

I agree this seems odd on the face of it and I’d be concerned too. Can you speak to the teacher to find out what’s happening? Try not to be confrontational but find out what the thinking is

This. They wouldn't just leave him out for the fun of it... he just must not be at that stage yet.

Had same problem with my daughter 30 years ago. Is the school in an area where there may be lots of additional needs such as poverty or non English speaking parents? 10% of any class has SEN children too. I know it's annoying but explain to DS that he is lucky and doesn't need the teacher to listen to him, although surprised to here they are reading yet - always make time for reading everyday at home at a time when he isn't tired. As you are not in a position to volunteer your time be careful raising it with the Head as the only solution may be getting volunteers to help. I did it one afternoon a week for a year and if every parent gave a few hours a term it would really make a difference.

You say this in your post

”They are never heard read by any adult. Teacher has acknowledged this.”

I sincerely hope this is not the case. My children loved reading to me everyday at this age. No teacher can replace the parental role. I suggest you start listening to your child daily, problem solved.

I get what you’re saying @Benibidibici , it sounds rubbish. I would ask the teacher what’s going on- and I’m in the camp of rarely being that parent. Good luck- hope you can get it resolved.

Raise it with the teacher

In reception think dd4 read 1/2 times a week with someone as written in diary

I read every day with her.

You need to do daily with you child and also in holidays

She is a very good reader

She was on yr1books in reception and year 2 books in year 1

But even now still reads to teacher 1-2 times a week. Usually only a few pages as obv have 30 to listen to

So discuss with teacher

At ds 1st primary school the kids in the top set would read to and listen to the middle and lower sets. They would have been 7

I'm an eyfs teacher and when the new framework came in they got rid of "exceeding". Now if your child is way ahead some schools just leave them to it and focus on getting the others to goal. It's not right.

Another factor is that schools now need to adhere to a government approved phonics scheme. These seem generally very intensive and prescriptive with a big emphasis on catch up.

I've no advice except at least breathing a sigh of relief that your child isn't one of the ones having intensive, boring phonics catch up sessions every other minute.

You can’t rely on school to teach your DC to read. You need to get your own books and read with them every day. Also maths. Get work books from the shop and get them to do maths at home.

Have you volunteered to do reading sessions with the little ones, OP?

When I was made redundant a couple of years ago I volunteered two afternoons a week to sit with 5yos and listen to them read.

YANBU. My now 12 year old could read before starting school and she was still listened to most weeks IIRC, usually by the LSA. I used to volunteer as a reader and I generally listened to children who didn't get listened to at home, and the ones that struggled.

YANBU.

I wouldn't be happy with that.

Speak to the teacher/ school.

Yes, I understand how strapped for resources all schools are and that DD was very lucky to go to a good primary and an exceptional secondary. However, both schools were very proactive in maximising their resources, hence the number of volunteer readers/listeners at her primary. That's nothing to do with govt funding, that's about crap leadership/management from the HT.

I do absolutely agree that all parents should be doing all they can to help their children academically too (my mum sounds very like yours in that respect).

I volunteer one afternoon a week reading at primary school and have done for years. There used to be 4 TAs solely focused on reading, now there is one, and she is also the librarian and a playground supervisor so limited hours focussed on reading. In the whole school of 300 children there are 2 parents who volunteer, despite them asking frequently. We focus on Y2 as any children who go up to kS2 as struggling readers will do poorly. I read with the bottom 20% and the bottom 50% who also have poor support at home, with the 45 intake that gives me a list of about 15 Y2 children - more than I can get through in one afternoon. The teacher listens to children when they are assessed to see if they can go up a level and they have daily guided reading/phonics in small groups led by a teacher or TA (that would not be entered in their planner) It would take a whole day of teacher time to read with a class of 30 kids.
You may not like it but scarce resources have to be focussed on the basis of need. I’m sure your child is not ignored or starved of attention, unlike some children who have very deprived home lives or additional needs and need the extra help.

Op I agree with you. Whether they're looking at a picture book and talking about the pictures (pre reading) or he's bringing his own copy of Shakespeare to read, the teacher should be making sure they are all listened to, all have a chance to read to pick up any issues, to not feel that there's special kids and other kids.

I'd ask for a proper conversation about why it's not happening

None of kids in reception has reading books at our school. The most able get ones in January time of reception.

Unfortunately, I'd say you have to get used to it with more able kids. Our school used to have those kids who were more able read with Yr 5 and Y6 "buddies". The reception teacher told us that the most able kids, regardless of state or private (she's experienced both over a 30 year career) will never have the type of attention that the other kids will.
And if you think reception is bad. Wait until KS1 when it's really REALLY dire.

How do you know how often the other kids get to read with the teacher/TA?

A group of parents at the school gate were praising the school & teacher for managing to hear their children read almost every day. I said "oh I'm not sure they manage that but im sure they do their best" only to be told teacher/ta/parent volunteers were putting daily comments in the read journals about hearing them read.

No one has ever written anything except the weekly book title in my DCs journal (apart from me - i write in it).

Why do people keep asking if i volunteer?

The parents of the children being heard 3 or 4 times a week aren't volunteering.

I have bills to pay. I can't afford to be a sahm.

I volunteer on the pta, i do stalls at all the fairs etc but i need to have a job while my kids are at school.

How are full time working parents meant to volunteer if school hours typically fall within work hours?

They are never heard read by any adult. Teacher has acknowledged this

Sorry i thought it was clear i mean never heard by any adult AT SCHOOL

We hear him read loads at home which is probably why he's good with his phonics.