To speak to someone about nursery teacher shouting at children?

[hazelnutvanillalatte]

DC2 is at a nursery attached to DC1's primary school. A few times I have come early for pick up and heard one specific nursery teacher shouting at the kids, and not just once or twice, but a full five minutes of shouting at the children. But my child never had an issue (always happy coming out) so I didn't say anything.

Today DC2 came out of nursery very upset and had an accident for the first time in over a year. Turns out it was due to this teacher shouting at them.

There are three nursery teachers but shouty teacher is the most senior. I could speak to the headteacher but not sure if that's the best person - don't want to go directly to shouty teacher as she has already been quite snappy when I've approached with minor things before. I know other parents are unhappy with various things but don't know whether to ask other parents' opinions or not involve them.

Just looking for advice

That's not Ok. I've worked in EYFS for over two decades. You don't shout at them unless there is an emergency situation.

I wouldn't send my child back unless I had to. And I would make an appointment with the head. Just be factual.

@User56785 Thank you, I will. The irony is that this specifically came up in our intro chat with shouty teacher emphasising that they did not ever shout!

Definitely raise it. I'd not be ok with this.

@Pigsinblankets13 straight to headteacher do you think?

A teacher causing a child to have an accident is definitely not ok!! They need dealing with asap

Absolutely raise it this is a safeguarding priority. I wouldn't send my child back there until this is resolved or the person removed.

Shouting at child so much they are that frightened they wet themselves makes me absolutely rage.

As a mother and psychotherapist the is is appalling.

It's unlikely that the head doesn't know it's happening.

But, the 'danger' is that you don't know the relationship between the head and the teacher. It might not be as simple as going to the head and everything is going to be sorted out.

But, you have to do something. You can't drop your three year old off to be shouted at.

Ask to see the headteacher, ideally with time and date and description of actual incidents rather than generally describing her as “shouty”. Focus in particular on the incident that your child found upsetting, stay calm and factual and remember that the Headteacher can’t necessarily tell you what action she takes about this teacher. If after that there’s more shouting incidents then I’d make a formal written complaint to the Headteacher or whatever the first stage if the school’s complaint process is.

It’s not appropriate to involve other parents and I wouldn’t bring into it that other parents are unhappy lest it sound like a witch hunt. It’s for those parents to complain if they want to.

I would write a letter - keep it in writing and ask for a response. I would remove my child and I would insist on finding out what actions they’ve taken as a result of your safeguarding concern.