to make a fuss about job-sharing reception teachers?

[EmmalinaC]

DD1 starts school in September. Last week we attended the new parents evening and discovered that she will have two part-time teachers: Mrs X works Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Mrs Y works Thursday & Friday.

Many of the parents expressed concern about this and were told that both teachers were working mums and it suited them better to work part-time. They didn't really offer any justifications that were to the children's advantage (apart from 'it's better to have two teachers in case you don't get on with one' )

I don't want to start off on the wrong foot with the school by making a fuss about this but I can't help feeling that it is totally inappropriate for a reception class.

So AIBU to complain the school? To the Head? Or to the Governors?

YABU. For one, how can you possibly object to other mothers wanting to work part-time? What do you think the school should do? Ban al teachers from job shares?

I don't see how it will confuse or upset the children, either. Presumably they will work set days and the children will quickly learn which day which teacher is in.

We've ahd 2 teahcers on a jobshare this eyar and ds2 has come on far further than any otehr eyar academically; he's not reception but has other issues (dysporaxia)

And basically teachers are entitled to maternity / flexible work rights which is what normally causes jobshare. Its the ay it is.

YABU. Worked fine for my kids in reception. Does your child only have one helper at nursery or preschool? A four year old can cope fine as long as they know the parameters.

You'll probably find a lot of things which make you go about school, but save it for the big stuff.

and FWIW i think the fact they are both mums is also a big plus. I am definatly a far better teacher now I have had children, because I see lots of things from a different perspective.

And btw if you want to complain you go to teacher first, head second, never governors unless head cannot/will not fix the problem. Big no no to go over head's head so to speak! Not saying you will/should complain about this, but just incase you need to know in future.

this is the most PFB thread ever - did you think you would get to hand pick the teachers your DD would have?

guess what -

some may leave mid year
accompany another class on a residential trip
go on maternity leave
retire
be covered by a TA on a regular basis
they may have a whole term with a student teacher (they are not trained by teaching little robots y'know )
die

or even have a sex change

and your child will take all this in its stride, so DO NOT pass any of your unfounded concerns onto them

all of the above have happened to me/my Dc and they survived.....well, all but one of the above anyway !

I've been job sharing for the last 4 years. This year, I will be working in Reception. I don't really see any difference between having job shares in Reception, or in any other year group. The need for excellent communication is just as important, the need for accurate assessment and excellent teaching is exactly the same as in other years.

I think you just need to give it a chance to work. Obviously once the term has started, if you feel there are problems with communication or anything else, then you should raise it first with the classteachers, and if you are still not happy, then with the Foundation Stage Co-ordinator, Deputy Head or Headteacher.

go on riven, have a guess

yes, yabu.

Thanks Littlefish.

Perhaps I am being PFB about it...

So, to the OP....... do teachers have less of a right to part-time work than other employees, just because you think it might upset your DD?!

Everyone else has put forward excellent reasons why YABU. Have nothing else to add except

FGS. Just try it and see before you start wingeing to the Head.

In my experience, jobshares work really well. You don't get the knackered, stressed, about to lose it teachers on a Friday afternoon - teaching 30 4 year olds all week is exhausting. With job-shares, the teachers stay fresh and keen and enthusiastic. They will have different skills, experience - all the children will benefit.

If you really don't want to get off on the wrong foot I suggest you wait until you have a clue re what's actually going to happen before you start complaining.

YABVVVU. Are you suggesting all teachers who have young children should either give up work to become SAHMs or work full time and put their young babies in childcare 5 days a week?

Another one who dd spent primary one with two teachers (one Mon-Wed, the other Thu/Friday). Worked out fine, as far as I can see anyway! They even survived losing Thus/fri teacher in the new year as she had to cover another teacher's maternity leave and so had deputy head then instead.

Next year they have new teacher (budget cuts mean her 'main' one this year is going from 5 days to 1!) and their classes are getting all muddled in with the new primary 3s, most confusing (again budget cuts to blame). I do feel a bit upset by that as one of her closest friends will now be in another class. Still her 'best' friend will be with her and kids are fairly adaptable...

Nobody mention secondary school... It could be too big a shock.

YANBU to have concerns but they really are unfounded.

I teach p/t (though I cover PPA so not a job share) We have 2 job shares at our school and one is in Y6 which a lot of parents get anxious about. But in truth they work very well.

As has been pointed out, when one teacher asked to go p/t and they advertised for a job share they would have been looking for someone with strengths that differed from the original teacher.

Also, teaching can be very full on especially when you're a mum. Teaching f/t can be so draining that the kids don't always get the best of you every day. Teaching part time means you're more motivated and enthused and far less stressed. Best all round IMHO.

Also, if the teacher was f/t then they'd have at least half a day PPA (Full day if they are DHT, SENCo or an NQT). So they'd have to get used to someone else every week anyway.

Try not to worry. Did your DD attend nursery? Did she not have lots of workers then? It will be fine.

whose dd

Peedoff, when you mentioned 'die' that reminded me that a Mnetter's DD when in Reception witnessed her teacher collapse and die in front of the class.

Can't quite remember the details but it was a very sad thread.

YABU. I used to jobshare in a reception class. I reckon it benefited the children in many ways - we had different strengths which we brought to the classroom, bounced ideas off each other, planned together, talked about the children and how we could bring them on etc, it was ideal really. Don't see how it could be a problem. Yes your dd may prefer one to the other but that can only be a good preparation for life? don't worry about it.

my ds had 2 teachers in Reception - they were probably the best teachers in the school. It worked out brilliantly especially when one got pregnant and the other covered her maternity leave.

I can understand may be concerned when I first heard I was a bit concerned but honestly both teachers were fantastic. Obviously if the teachers are not great that may be cause for concern but you won't know that until your dc has started.

wow that sounds fab! I'd love DS to have two teachers who were both mums, sounds perfect to me (not that people with kids can't teach but I'd hope that personal child experience would help with reception).

DS has two parents and seems to manage quite well - DH job share the parenting afteraall

Dd1 had two teachers in reception & worked v well. Though she did manage to manipulate one into giving her special jobs by crying on those days but not on the others. That started an epidemic of crying girls but only on tues & thurs

Dd2 had 3 teachers across 40 kids. She didn't have any problem with it. She had a favourite one but wasn't bothered when it wasn't that teacher.

Both had a couple of TAs in the class too.

Thank goodness everyone (without exception I think) has said YABU so I don't need to repeat it all.