can't get a confident relationship going with nursery teachers - any tips?

[TJuice]

my daughter has been going to nursery for 10months.

its lovely, clean and cosy with great policies, an onsite organic cook, they go out to parks and playgrounds daily and to the forest by train.

but i always feel like i am on the backfoot with the teachers.

i am always supernice because i am conscious that they are doing a tough job and taking care of my PFB

but i feel a bit powerless and sometimes feel like they don't take me seriously.

some of it has to do with language - i am not in the uk so they are not speaking their mother tongue and it can seem a bit rough. and my command of their language is beginners level.

but i want to get rid of this feeling of being an imposter parent.

any tips?

Learn to speak their language better .

that's helpful, didn't think of that.

any other tips?

Can't give you many tips, but just to say I feel sort of in the same situation. And that is without the language thing too. I find I am super nice and friendly and they are super polite, but pretty impersonal and really hard to get to know and share anything more than pleasantries. I guess some of it is a confidence thing for both parties. I am sure they are not thinking consciously of not taking you seriously though. You are not an imposter, I promise. I mean, if you are, who isn't?
Sorry not to have more concrete acvice.

thanks hinagiku, its helps to know I'm not the only one!

Try not to have conversations just about your child.
Ask them about how they are. Tell them what you watched on TV. Ask them what they are doing at the weekend. Then remember what they have told you, and ask them if they had a good time doing xyz.
Tell them funny things that your DD has done at home, Just make conversation basically. Build up a relationship that is not based solely on your DD.
When you have got the lines of communication open it will be easier to get proper feedback. They will see you as a person and not just as a Mummy.

Perhaps you could volunteer to help on one of the nursery trips? YOu seem really happy with the nursery, so perhaps you could make a point of complimenting the food or saying how much your DD enjoyed a trip out. Maybe bring a small present (like a tin of biscuits) and a thank you card after they have taken her on a trip she has enjoyed or done something special with her. I got DS's key worker a box of celebrations chocolates after his first fully dry/clean day at nursery!

Remember that the some of the girls are very young and may lack confidence themselves. This can come across as them not taking you seriously (sideways looks, muttering answers to questions etc etc). I'm sure they don't see you as an 'imposter parent', although goodness knows most of us have felt that way from time to time.

Good luck!

thanks v much for the advice.

its true that my conversations are just about dd, so maybe i need to just relax and chew the fat a bit. i always want to rush out of there because i feel awkward so i think i will try and mellow out.

the volunteering for a trip is also a great idea. i think i kind of overdid the biscuit/cake once when she first settled in so will wait for an appropriate time.

one thing they joke about is how many clothes and shoes my dd has, which is mainly due to my mum going potty spoiling her only grandchild. i must admit i got a little sensitive about it and try not to dress her so obviously PFB!

this morning there was a danish dad there for the drop off and he looked and acted as awkwardly as me so i guess i am not the only one . . . .