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Original poster

To those whose child has just started playgroup - do you get any feedback?

34 replies

oliveoil · 22/09/2005 10:07

dd1 started playgroup a few weeks ago and apart from a few tears, now runs in fine.

But I don't know what she does all day, does she read, paint, draw, whatever. She tells me what snacks and drinks they have had, no word from the carers.

Is this normal? I have no experience of nurseries as she is with my MIL when I work, but I am not expecting an essay each day, just some sort of feedback from the people that work there.

Also, yesterday she was sent out holding a carrier bag with her soiled clothes in (had an accident, bless) but nobody mentioned anything to my MIL who collected her, dd1 told her herself. Again, is this normal? Should they have said what happened?

Please tell me if you think I am an old clucky hen mother who needs to get a grip.

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bobbybob · 22/09/2005 10:10

We get a little sheet that says;

"ask me about...

Making sandcastles with Millie and George
Talking about my spaceship
Singing Happy Birthday to Fraser
Going on the obstacle course"

So I ask him about them, and he says

"I ate a pea and then a bogie came out of my nose."

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 10:13

That is the sort of thing I mean! I do not know what she does!

Should I mention something or will they think I am a pain? I only go on Monday's (work Tue-Thurs) so MIL does other days.

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coppertop · 22/09/2005 10:17

Ds2 started a couple of weeks ago. The staff won't necessarily tell parents everything that has happened but there's usually a comment like "He had a great time on the trampoline today" or "He really enjoyed the dressing-up corner". Parents are always told if the child has wet themselves and had to be changed. They are also always told about general accidents and sign the accident book.

foxinsocks · 22/09/2005 10:17

how old is she (sorry can't remember)?

we got nothing about what ds was up to (it's just the start - you never get to hear much from here onwards!) but if he had an accident, they would have spoken to me

also, we got a sheet at the beginning of each term saying what the theme was for each half term (something like 'animals' or 'numbers') so that if the children wanted to bring something in on that topic they could

bobbybob · 22/09/2005 10:19

I think they should tell you something so you can bridge the gap between playgroup and home.

I think it's a legal requirement in NZ BTW.

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 10:20

She will be 3 at the end of next month.

We get a list saying what the letter of the week will be etc. And what day is Fruit day so you can bring stuff in.

Hmmmmm. Maybe I being a mother from hell .

But when my MIL said she came out holding a bag and no-one told her what had happened I got a bit annoyed.

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bundle · 22/09/2005 10:25

get varied amounts of feedback olive, depending on who's around/how many others picking up. i think it's a 2way street too - try and feed info to them about how she's been/what she's been up to and they probably will respond in kind. do you have keyworker meetings? (dd2's is due next week, really looking forward to it)

bobbybob · 22/09/2005 10:32

I filled in about 3 forms when Bob started with loads of info about him. So I guess that's the flip side.

foxinsocks · 22/09/2005 10:37

I think it's quite a big shock to be honest - I remember both mine starting pre-school and it's weird not knowing what they've been up to! When you pick her up, if you want to know, then hang around a bit and have a word with the teacher. They'll tell you what she's been doing and I'm sure they would speak to you if there's a problem. I'm surprised they didn't tell you about the accident but maybe they didn't want to make a fuss about it in front of dd.

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 10:47

I thought that might be the reason (ie no fuss).

Hmmmmm. It is hard not knowing what she is doing, I usually am either there or get a blow by blow off mil.

Also, MIL may have hidden agenda at putting me off playgroup as she wants her to go to the catholic school instead of the CofE but that is a whole other thread for a later date

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rummum · 22/09/2005 12:42

I work in a pre-school and the staff have several children that they are key workers to... This means that we help settle the children in and get to know them. We do observations on the children ie... what numbers they can recognise/count to, colours, shapes.
Ask the superviser there who her key worker is and introduce yourself to her and ask how she is getting on...

does she just go for 2 and a half hours each day?

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 12:45

1pm-3.15pm Mon-Thursday, as far as I can see there are 3 staff for approx 7 children, or so.

Bobbybob - how is the nut arguement going on?

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Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 13:53

Is Enid about? Her dd started last week I think. Or anyone else to calm my furrowed brow?

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puddle · 22/09/2005 14:03

My dd is almost three. We have a sheet every day saying what she did and how much she ate (along the lines of all, most, a bit). The carer goes through it with us when we pick her up. I thought this was standard practice to be honest.

I'd be really unhappy if we got nothing at all.

rummum · 22/09/2005 14:08

puddle.. does your daughter go to nursery all day? as opposed to playgroup for 2 and a half hours?

puddle · 22/09/2005 14:11

She does a half day and two full days. It's the same for the half day though - which is 3 hours. I still get the same level of info.

puddle · 22/09/2005 14:12

It is a nursery though as opposed to a playgroup. Does that make a difference then?

bundle · 22/09/2005 14:20

oh playgroup. that's a different matter then. i doubt you'd get much feedback, but we've never used one.

rummum · 22/09/2005 14:22

hi puddle... I can imagine that parents need to know if their children ate their dinner, but not need to know if they didn't eat their biscuit at snack time....

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 14:23

No, I don't want a blow by blow account, but some sort of feedback.

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rummum · 22/09/2005 14:26

I tell you what Oliveoil... if you went in and offered to help... they would love you for ever

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 14:27

Can't help when I am here, ahem, 'working' now can I?

I think I will speak to them next week when I go in on Monday.

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rummum · 22/09/2005 14:27

do you know if your daughter has a keyworker...
or does your MIL get all the info?

bundle · 22/09/2005 14:28

olive, don't you mean parping?

Original poster
oliveoil · 22/09/2005 14:29

I get no info!!!! I go in, say bye, then come back later and take her away. Diddly squat from them.

Parp.

Where is Enid??

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