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Original poster

Mums of reception children, do you chat to the teacher when you drop them off?

43 replies

SantasSandyBalls · 05/12/2005 13:55

... and if so, what about? Your children's progress, behaviour, the weather? Just curious because I see all these mum's chatting away to the teachers and the support staff every morning whilst I just bundle mine in and leave. Maybe I should be making more effort to find out how they are getting on, or maybe get to know the teachers better but I just assume they would come to me if all was not well.

I'd be interested in hearing your experiences/views.

OP posts:
handlemecarefully · 05/12/2005 13:55

Mind you if every parent did this, lessons wouldn't start on time would they....

doormat · 05/12/2005 13:57

sometimes, it depends on the situation really.

foxinsocks · 05/12/2005 13:57

I only ever spoke to the teachers if something was wrong (e.g. our third missing cardigan).

I'm sure they would speak to you if there was a problem.

motherinfurrierfestivehat · 05/12/2005 13:58

I smile ingratiatingly and occasionally tell her if anything major has cropped up, or if I really like her boots.

XmasPud · 05/12/2005 14:02

I prob speak to our class teacher once or twice a week - normally over little things eg. library book not changed this week again, lost sweater/hat/gloves, if there seems to be an issue with another pupil (she was punched in the arm by the same child on three days in a row, dinner ladies not doing anything and not passing it on to teacher so stepped in..). Also mention things like when her sister had a stomach bug and to keep an eye on her, when the cat died etc etc - Blimey! We have had a bit of a nightmare half term when I think about it!

Wordsmith · 05/12/2005 14:03

I think they're probably just telling the teacher that someone else will be collecting their child/they've lost their lunch money/he's got head lice or something like this. ie something she/he needs to know. Doubt if they are chatting as such, teachers at our school certainly wouldn't do that, they just want to get the kids in as soon as they can! If you want to discuss progress they normally like you to make an appointment to see them after school or some other mutually convenient time.

mrsdil · 05/12/2005 14:08

I never get chance to speak to the teacher!! The door is open but she is in the classroom and likes the children to go in on their own...if anyone needs to speak to her they do so after school....i only collect ds once a week so its a real pain...i always end up ringing the school secretary to ask her

binkie · 05/12/2005 14:27

dd - reception age - no call for chat to anyone, dd does it for Britain herself. My role is as cheery subordinate background smiler person.

ds - year 2 - have made huge (and thankfully reciprocated) efforts to make friends with his teacher & assistant - mutual support has been crucial. So lots of chat - but always try to make it quick & jolly, as I think we do get a disproportionate share of attention & it's not fair to monopolise.

MaddhurJaffrey · 05/12/2005 14:27

no she is in charge of the kids!!

Original poster
SantasSandyBalls · 05/12/2005 14:30

I just don't want to come across as not interested or aloof. On the other hand I don't want to be their "best mates" like some of the mum's seem to be aiming for. Thanks for replies

OP posts:
LIZS · 05/12/2005 14:30

No she's busy mustering the children. Occasionally exchange a word or two with the assistant though.

geogteach · 05/12/2005 14:33

Couple of times a week, usually to make arrangements to pick him up for medical appointments or for her to ask about a problem with his radio aid or something

MaddhurJaffrey · 05/12/2005 14:33

yes but otherwise id say let htem get on wiht it
in fact after hte first few wekks our shcool makes you stay outside

BoozyChristmacwoozy · 05/12/2005 14:35

The teachers at my ds's school don't like to be approached in the morning, they're too busy organising the children with bags etc.

Caligyulea · 05/12/2005 14:35

God no. She's busy enough without me wasting her time trying to ingratiate myself with her. I bet she hates all those sycophants grabbing her in the mornings stopping her checking her e-mails before registration.

joanna4 · 05/12/2005 16:36

Are you not encouraged into class on a morning we have a question of the day which needs to go in a yes or no box depending, this way all parents bring their kids in and if parents need to sort anything the time is there.

HarkTheHeraldAIMSMUMsings · 05/12/2005 16:41

The children line up in the playground when the bell goes and then get taken into school in line. Barely even see the teacher never mind caht to her!!

No one speaks to the teacher unless there is a problem at DD's school!!

puff · 05/12/2005 16:43

No, just drop ds1 off, only speak to the teacher if absolutely necessary, she has enough to deal with and doesn't have time for chit chat (at least I didn't when teaching).

twirlingaroundthechristmastree · 05/12/2005 16:54

Sometimes you need to speak to the teacher in the morning - but if you don't then I don't think it's fair to try and engage the teacher in chat or discuss your child's progress at this time.

The teacher has 5-10 mins before school to exchange any vital information with up to 30 parents so it seems quite inappropriate to me to think she has time to chat! We are actually told as much by our school!

deckthehillswithboughsofmummy · 05/12/2005 16:54

Only if there is something that needs attention but I have been known to have a chat when picking DD up from nursery, usually about her behaviour though I am ashamed to admit

wewishyouaClaryChristmas · 05/12/2005 16:55

more likely in the afternoon tbh, that's when they have some time.
But even then only if there's an issue.
As others say, if lots of people chat in the morning it would be a big problem, surely.

Earlybird · 05/12/2005 18:43

Say hello on Mondays and Fridays (only days they want parents in the classroom). Will chat a bit more if something has happened that needs to be communicated. Otherwise, it isn't the time to engage, as teachers are usually reading individually with each child. For more in-depth discussions, I make an appointment - but have only done that once.

crimbocrazydazy · 05/12/2005 18:50

I think it depends on the teacher's interest tbh. Last year DD was in reception and the teacher would always make a point of coming to you and telling you how proud she was of something she did and it made you feel involved but now she's in Year 1 it seems to have changed so much and the teacher barely says a thing to any of the parents now.

Apixelmascarol · 05/12/2005 19:03

I think it does depend on the teacher. When my dd was in reception the teacher was very chatty and would come over and make a fuss of my ds who was only a few months old. I would also make a point of telling her things that may be important (as someone else said, when the cat died!).

My ds is taken to school by taxi so I have to rely on the home/school book. It's ok but it's hard sometimes to word things so they don't seem like you are having a go. For instance "have you seen ds's jumper?" said with a smile is ok but written down can seem a bit stroppy!

fennel · 06/12/2005 19:42

dp and i have both got very pally with the dds teachers in nursery and reception and year 1 classes. I chat to each teacher a couple of times a week - about reading books, keywords, school play costumes, lost clothing, social issues, art work. anything really. volunteering for after school club committee (with a vested interest in making it succeed), teachers' career plans and satisfaction with headmaster. etc.

typical pushy middle class parents working the school system

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