Picking up ds from reception class

[bunnyhops]

Yesterday I went to pick up ds 4 from reception at 12pm.As I was walking through the gates the bell went.I got to ds's reception class to find he had already been let out and was walking through the other mum's looking for me.
One of the mum's was asking him if he was alright.She said to me they had just let him out.
Normally they wait until they see if the childs mother is their before letting them out but their is no way she could have seen I was there as I was just turning a corner.
Bit concerned as ds is having speech therapy and does'nt talk at school and he look distressed at this other mother approaching him.

Do I say anything to his main teachers?
It was one of the helpers that let him out and she is very friendly and don't want to get her into trouble but what if I had been delayed a bit longer?
I can only think maybe she mistook another mother for me but surely the helpers should know what child belongs to what mother?

Am I overeacting?

It's policy at ds1's school not to let any on the children in the Infants leave the classroom unless the teacher can see the parent/carer. I wouldn't be happy about any 4yr-old being out by themselves, never mind one who doesn't talk. I think you need to speak to the teacher about this. If it was a genuine mistake then I doubt the assistant would get into trouble over it.

Agree with coppertop.

It shouldn't have happened, and was frightening for your ds, but I doubt very much that it is something that happens regularly.

I'd have a very quick word with the teacher tomorrow morning, just saying that ds was in the playground before you arrived and was distressed, and could they make sure he stays inside until you arrive...I'm sure you'll get a big apology, and noone will get into trouble, they'll just be more vigilant from now on. HTH

Thanks coppertop for your reply.
My DH thinks I should mention it to the teacher ,just to make them aware in case it happens again.
When I was telling DH about the incident ds walked in and got all distressed about it when he heard me mentioning it.I don't want this incident to put him off going to school as he was doing so well and gaining confidence. Ds is a very sensitive little boy and despite his speech delay has very good understanding but gets upset easily.
Also a couple of weeks ago I saw a little girl in ds's class walking out of the gate towards home,she lives near us just around the corner from school and a mother approached her and she turned back around and her dad then saw her.

Thanks bee3.AS you say normally they are very good at keeping the child in the classroom if the mother has'nt arrived yet.
I am just an over anxious mother!!

bump

maybe you should approach the school with your concerns, and suggest that no children are allowed out from class unless a teacher is on the exit gate, ensuring no children are able to leave the playground/ this does sound very worrying. you should talk to somebody on the pta, or somebody who does a newsletter to guage parental opinion?

This incident should be reported directly to the Headteacher, it is normal policy in schools to hand over the child to a responsible adult. It doesn't matter if it is a helper, the teacher is responsible for the whole class and should take ultimate responsibility.

Image if the child had been taken off by somebody or wandered off. You must report directly to headteacher, especially at the age of 4. It shouldn't happen and sorry to frighten you, but the head will want to know.

Agree with every one else that you should mention it to teacher. Just to make her aware it happened. It might have been a genuine mistake (she thought you were standing outside but it shouldn't have happened)Its upsetting for your Ds to come out and not see his mum. My DS is also in reception and having speech therapy like yours and it worries me that he could not ask for help if he needed to. Please mention it.

Thanks everyone.I know I should say something but feel I don't want to make fuss.I worry what people think about me and worry that this helper will look at me differently if I were to say something.
Maybe as pashmina suggested I will bring it up at the next PTA meeting without actually mentioning the incident but voice my concerns as to what the policy actually is.