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. :(

I was a very able reader and was reading at a 10/11 year old level by age 5, so I never read with/to a teacher because I didn’t need to. I got plenty of engagement in other ways.
speak to the teacher tho, it may be the others who are saying 4 times a week are wrong. Clarify with the school and ask the rationale.

Did the teacher tell you he's so far ahead they don't need to listen to him read? How would they even know he's ahead of they don't listen to him? It seems unlikely there's that much difference in a class of first term reception children unless he could read before he started school. I think you need to question this further

It helps all the pupils if the least able can be brought up a level. It means when they do whole class learning it can be done at a higher level. HTH

We hear every child twice a week regardless of ability.
Some children have books, others flashcards and cvc words but every child has that personal time.
I'd have a word with the teacher and ask.

I appreciate you work. Well done, you. But schools are massively underfunded now and rely on volunteers coming in from outside of school, on a regular basis.

My youngest was one of those who needed specific regular sessions with a lovely volunteer. She's very dyslexic and at 12 her language skills are still awful.

It's honestly not about attention. It sounds like he's desperate to show the teacher what he can do, which is great. But whilst some schools DO manage to get every single child heard every week, not all schools have enough funding or enough volunteers and some kids honestly do need it more than others.

I'd have some sympathy but the way you come across does sound a bit entitled. Yes, he's barely four. But it sounds like he's well ahead and most likely advantaged at home with you and your household. Which is wonderful. But you need to tell him he's so clever with his reading that he doesn't need checking so often. Tell him he's clever and praise him for his efforts.

My son's class have all had reading books home since half term. My son can read them reasonably well, having only started to learn in September. He is an August birthday and only knew a few letters when he started school 3 months ago. I think the phonics scheme is pretty effective. No idea whether the other children can read theirs but I don't think my son is vastly ahead of the others

He should def be listened to -I would imagine if he’s a good reader it will be a shorter time than the slower ones.
could they be mixing him up with another child who looks similar?
I would chat to the teacher to explain he is upset as he doesn’t get to read to her - see what she says.

Id also mention it to the teacher.
Maybe it's been a mistake of some sort.

I'd also agree that every child should be listened to at school. At least so that the teacher knows what level that child is at and how best for them to progress.

It's understandable that maybe the ones who aren't quite as far on are given plenty of time but why let the ones who can do it just stay at their level.

I guess it's not a problem with the school but rather the problem with education funding as a whole which is a real shame.

It isn't fair but unfortunately there is no cure for 'special needs'. I would gladly take a cure for my child if it meant they could communicate/learn/experience the world like everyone else but sadly that is not possible.

Teacher and I totally get your point. Hearing chn read is a special time for them to have the teacher’s attention and all chn are entitled to that. Our reception chn all read in groups three times a week and then extra for those who need it. What they are providing isn’t good enough and you are right to question it.

I'd raise it with the school. Explain that actually it is affecting your child's self esteem. Resources are so stretched that this is more common than you think. My dd was able to read before she started school, we did phonics at home for fun and she took to it really well. Her teacher would listen to all the kids on rotation but kids who were struggling would have extra sessions with a TA. I work part time and volunteered a morning a week and was often asked to listen to kids read.

View the situation as total adult attention towards a child over a week.

The children heard read multiple times; that may be the only adult attention they get all week. Your child gets that daily attention from you when they read, plus other input. I don't begrudge those children having more input than DCs who get the support from home.

By all means ask the teacher, there may be another explanation.

@Benibidibici How do you know your child is never heard reading? How do you know other children are heard multiple times?

I’m sure he’s heard giving answers and his whiteboard checked in phonics sessions so they know he’s on track and reading regularly at home.

He’s also probably doing small group work or 1:1 or 2 with the teacher or TA in other lessons so I wouldn’t worry.

At my son’s school they set for phonics so he’s reads with his small group and in pairs with another child. He’s in Y1 and almost a fluent reader and reads every day at home.
I don’t think last year or this year his teacher has ever sat with him 1:1 to hear him read but I know he’s does group work and is in a small phonics group.

You’ve also no idea of the needs of the class whether there is SEN with no support or children who have been through trauma needing the teacher’s or TA’s time, which trust me I know isn’t your problem but does take a lot from the adults in the room.
All the teachers want is more funding and support for their class so they can have enough time with every child but that’s not the system we’ve been given now sadly.

The issue is the lack of funding and support for these children, not that they are there.

Unless they’re throwing chairs and hurting others they’re unlikely to get an extra adult in the classroom meaning the teacher and when there is a TA there are juggling more than ever.

It is fair on no one - the SEN children are rarely getting what they deserve either.

Yes this. I did too. Schools are unbelievably stretched for support staff at the moment either to read, or enable the teacher to hear readers, although you could argue it might be possible to have 1:1 reading as a carousel activity in YR.

Saying that, it's the thing that our school prioritises above anything (not being able to read is so detrimental to success in anything), so I would hope your school was trying their utmost to hear every child at least weekly. Our higher school LSAs are pulled out for an hour on some days to hear lower school readers, for example.

I presume you read daily with your DC though? It's the parents that make the big difference where reading is concerned, really.

No one here can answer why. Have you asked his teacher why? Presumably you've had a parents evening by now?

Surely he is in a phonics group, so will be reading in that, otherwise they won't know he is ahead in phonics. He is just not reading individually.

Why don't you offer to volunteer one mornjng or afternoon a week to hear readers? It's clear they need the help.
When I taught in reception the amount of time I had to read with children was very cohort dependent. The memorable year I had 3 children who shat themselves daily, I did not have time to hear any child read other than during daily phonics.

There may be a chukd with SEN needs who has not got funding yet who finds school overwhelming and therefore is prioritised by the teacher/TA over reading 1:1 with all children, because the alternative is that that SEN child becomes violent/leaves mainstream education for good.
Whatever the reasons, they will be valid and be a result of chronic underfunding, lack of sufficient staff and increasing levels of children starting school in nappies.

In an ideal world of course every child would be heard read every day 1:1 by an adult. That is not the reality in any primary school anymore.
It will only get worse as the teacher pay rise is not fully funded with more money from the government, despite assurances this would be the case.

Parents are responsible for ensuring your child receives a suitable education. You can choose to send your child to school but they are still your child - you read with him.

It'll be a cold day in hell before kids with additional needs get the support they actually need.

There is not enough staff nor enough parents to volunteer. Reading with your child at home every evening would help massively.

WFH is quite a thing now. I go in one morning after drop-off, then log on at 9.45 to work a full day. It's possible with many jobs (not all, of course).