Am I overreacting, or does this seem a bit stupid?

[unicorn]

Nursery class of 3/4 yr olds.

Teacher handed out some letters to a few 'chosen' parents last week (others weren't allowed to see the letters ffs!)inviting them(about 5 or so) to a meeting.

The basic gist of the meeting is that their kids are deemed 'ready' to be stuck on the education treadmill of book schemes (yep in nursery)...and are being given take home books.

The others... well .. nothing.

Now,this aint really sour grapes, as I am nonplussed that ds isn't being hothoused(!)... what I am fuming about is the underhand way the school has done this.. and the effect it has had on the parents.

It has turned a reasonably 'equal' class into a collection of smug parents (they all collected together after the meeting, and subsequently) who will no doubt think their little jonny is a child genius.

What on earth is the point of this exercise?
and should I be bothered or not?

I reiterate it is more abouyt school-parent communication than the book issue, although that too is open for discussion...

Thoughts?

Utterly bizarre. Either they all bring books home or none of them do. Very strange way of going about things - whether you are a 'have' or a 'have not'.

Unicorn, they don't even need to fundraise.

Surely they have general books for children to read whilst there?

My dd just chooses one of those each day and brings them home in a plastic wallet.

I'm a teacher and I have to say that I find it alarming and bad management that not all parents were informed of how the nursery plans to cater for certain kids. I would never choose to, or be allowed to send letters of this kind to select parents. There would be a revolt and for good reason. It's just bad management.

Firstly, whether it is a private or state school/nursery, all kids should have equal access to a curriculum. Children not included are being discriminated against and it sounds as if there is no differenciation offered. The teacher may have good intentions but I feel that
s/he has not gone about this in the right way. At my nursery, ALL kids choose a book to take home to SHARE with their parents and they change these books on a dally basis. The emphasis is on bonding with parents; parents being good role models to the children; looking at pictures; and learning about stories so that their imagination and, in the case of non-fiction books, their knowledge about the world, is stimulated. The children in my current class are 3-4 years old.

In your situation, I would question: the reading policy,
equal opportunities for all children AND the lack of communication for ALL parents. Every parent in a class has the right to know what is being taught across the board. Sending select letters will eventually breed ALOT of bad feeling amongst parents and I really think that kids pick up on that stress etc.

I had a non reading 'issue' come up last year at my son's nursery. The keyworker got 1 child to make a St. Patrick's card as the parents were Irish. Nice idea in principal but what about the rest of the kids? How can they learn about the world around them if only the select few are being provided with these opportunites?

You are not stupid. You are perfectly reasonable in your thinking. If I were a parent there, I would be sitting in the heads office right now discussing this! Why not provide the 'non readers' with other things like a 'fun pack' ? A puzzle, nursery rhymes that parents can sing along to, etc. That way ALL kids feel valued, are included and it provides them all with a fair education AND the teacher is differenciating for all abilities.

By the way, I don't agree with formalised homework for young children or teaching very young children to read (lots of research shows that this has a negative impact on many children's learning at a young age). Are these things provided for the parents benefit or the children? Sorry to rant....!!!

Good luck. Stand your ground if you don't agree with the philosophy, parents will respect you more as they will realise that you have the childrens best interests at heart.

Sorry, just wanted to add that even if the teacher is not exactly welcoming, I would encourage you to speak to a mangaer or the head and maybe have a metting with the three of you all togther at the same time. I'm sure that this way, you will be showing that you have nothing but best intentions. We teachers do sometimes need to be reminded of exactly why we came into teaching: TO PROVIDE EQUAL ACCESS TO ALL.

I hear what someone said about her child being a very competent reader but surely there is a way that all children can be best provided for.
Let us know how you get on. I found your post both interesting and shocking!!!!!

I'm a teacher and I have to say that I find it alarming and bad management that not all parents were informed of how the nursery plans to cater for certain kids. I would never choose to, or be allowed to send letters of this kind to select parents. There would be a revolt and for good reason. It's just bad management.

Firstly, whether it is a private or state school/nursery, all kids should have equal access to a curriculum. Children not included are being discriminated against and it sounds as if there is no differenciation offered. The teacher may have good intentions but I feel that
s/he has not gone about this in the right way. At my nursery, ALL kids choose a book to take home to SHARE with their parents and they change these books on a dally basis. The emphasis is on bonding with parents; parents being good role models to the children; looking at pictures; and learning about stories so that their imagination and, in the case of non-fiction books, their knowledge about the world, is stimulated. The children in my current class are 3-4 years old.

In your situation, I would question: the reading policy,
equal opportunities for all children AND the lack of communication for ALL parents. Every parent in a class has the right to know what is being taught across the board. Sending select letters will eventually breed ALOT of bad feeling amongst parents and I really think that kids pick up on that stress etc.

I had a non reading 'issue' come up last year at my son's nursery. The keyworker got 1 child to make a St. Patrick's card as the parents were Irish. Nice idea in principal but what about the rest of the kids? How can they learn about the world around them if only the select few are being provided with these opportunites?

You are not stupid. You are perfectly reasonable in your thinking. If I were a parent there, I would be sitting in the heads office right now discussing this! Why not provide the 'non readers' with other things like a 'fun pack' ? A puzzle, nursery rhymes that parents can sing along to, etc. That way ALL kids feel valued, are included and it provides them all with a fair education AND the teacher is differenciating for all abilities.

By the way, I don't agree with formalised homework for young children or teaching very young children to read (lots of research shows that this has a negative impact on many children's learning at a young age). Are these things provided for the parents benefit or the children? Sorry to rant....!!!

Good luck. Stand your ground if you don't agree with the philosophy, parents will respect you more as they will realise that you have the childrens best interests at heart.

I agree, it's just knowing how to tackle the issue without me being labelled trouble, and ds suffering the consequences (this teacher has 'form' you see)

Btw, apparently this has recently been launched Bookstart

anyone benefitted yet?

Perhaps I can raise this whole issue diplomatically (ha! me?!!!)by talking about this scheme to the teacher.

Our nursery sent out a note to all parents offering them the opportunity to put their kids on a book scheme - no pressure, a kind of 'do it if you feel your child is ready, but quite understand if you want to leave this kind of thing till school.

fb,that would have been a bit more of a diplomatic, grown up way to communicate with parents.

PMSL @ lockets .. fabulous retort

All children at DS's nursery took home books. Nursery attached to a school

They each had a school book bag and if there was any communication with the parents it was put in the school bag. I am not aware of any individual requests to parents.

It was pointless and divisive. I wouldn't let it bother you. Be pleased for the parents who take pleasure in it and take pleasure in the fact that by the time children are 7 or so they all equalise in their standards of reading and writing.

no, am not going to let it be...
this is really divisive, and not an example of equal opportunities.

Having spoken to some other parents I am getting a letter together,to question the nursery/reading policy of the school.

Surely books should be available for all?

What does the nursery prospectus say about this? I have to say that I'm aware of similar policies in some of the local playgroups/preschools, and I'm not aware that it causes a problem.

I don't think that it is anything to do about "equal opportunities" at this age to be frank. Some children are ready to do some things earlier than others. There may be some people who wish to get smug, but if they have more than one child they'll quickly realise that it is a matter of what the child preferd to do rather than their superior nurturing or gene pool.

how starnge. My dd nursery had book bags for allo of the children?!

this is a school..
they deserve to be given the same opportunities.

Why should some have books to take home and not others???

ladymuck.. everyone has an equal right to access to book surely?

I'm quite stunned by this policy. Ds1 is at nursery and last week all the children were given book bags and a book to read. Even if some of the kids are deemed more "ready", where is the harm in giving books to all the kids - they can only benefit.

But is the question over access to books, or over whether they are being put onto a reading scheme?
Surely there are other books in the nursery? If not I'll be amazed if they pass an OFSTED.

But the types of books encountered in the early stages of a reading stage tend to be specific for that scheme, and not of the same type as the ones that would be freely available (have a look at the various threads of reception parents venting their frustrations!)

Yes all children should have access to books at nursery, but not all children will be ready to start a reading scheme at that age.

One of the difficulties with reading schemes is that there are a finite number of books at the earliest stages (ie the ones with either no words, or a very limited vocabulary). If children are over familar with these before they are ready to read then they will be bored with the material that will be on offer - and this is one fo the key challenges int he very early stages - finding books that are simple enough for the child who is just starting to be able to pick up and read themselves.

These books are totally different from the vast range of books available for young children (including the Bookstart offerings).

Access to books is not the same as being put on a reading scheme.

I think the school have gone about this the wrong way...but...

My dd was reading fluently at the age of 3.5 and I had to push push push for her to get material which was over and above the norm. Eventually she was formally assessed by the nursery and found to have a reading age of 7.8. They then agreed to let her have any book she chose from the library.

Surely if the child has the ability, they should have access to suitable reading material? I agree that these children should just have had the books sent home in their book bag a nd a note in their reading record for the parents to read at home.

But it's a great way of dividing a class of 3/4 year olds!

Fine give them a 'reading scheme' if they want one... but what about the rest of the kid.. do they not deserve that extra attention too?

When the 'chosen ones' come out of nursery with their book bags, and the rest come home empty handed... equal?

I think not.

Not entirely sure that the kids will pick up on it or see it as unequal. Usually at this age we're talking 5-10 mins individual or 1 on two attention, which all 3 year olds will probably be getting anyway - its just some are at a different level, and this time will be used on reading/writing, whilst for others they are concentrating on other pre-reading/writing skills.

Children will be doing slightly different things from each for most of their school career, and yes, it does start right at the beginning - wherever you choose to begin. At the start of recpetion some of the children can read, whilst other don't know their letters. I would hate to see a school treat them all the same. Your issue seems to be that these children are being taught something different from yours rather than an access to the resource of books?

My friend's dd (just turned 3) will start school at the same time as my ds2. She can write ds's name (as well as mine as well as simple sentences etc). Ds2 can just about pronounce his name (he's 2.5). She is starting to read. The idea of ds2 being put onto a reading scheme is laughable, though yes, he should and does have access to books. I would expect them to be doing differnt things at nursery and school though doubtless they will develop in differnt areas at different times.

No my issue is of

1)communication - or lack of. Why can't the school 'explain' their policy rather than hand out letters to a few (cloak and dagger style)

2. Policy - ok have a reading scheme for those ready - but do they have a scheme for the rest?

OK. Before rounding up the parents I would check the prospectus though.

Good luck.

Prospectus?!!

This is a nursery state school, they make it up as they go along!

completely stupid - i would write a letter or arrange a meeting where i would reiterate the message all parents get home all the time - that our support is vital to the education of our children. our support of the school and the school community is vital.

they have just bombed a whole section of school life - the community and the support from parents. this action brings about resentment, jealousy, piousness smugness - all evil emotions which will not help the school when they are begging for your support. some lesser parents ( like me for instance) with lots on their plate already - who are thinking that getting off work to go to school meetings and parents evenings and to be on the xmas fair committee and such - to support the school - is really rather hard - will now think fck it, fck the school and their snidey teachers.

for teachers they sound a bit stupid

All of our state nurseries (as well as playgroups) around here have a prospectus which sets out their policy on the Nat Curriculum (and whether they teach any of the children to read or not).

Of course if you have no choices as to wher to send her they might not bother with a prospectus. But usually there is greater choice for under 5s (due to playgroups etc) which means that even state nurseries have a prospectus (and around here (S London) state schools have them too).