Parents Volunteering at pre school how do you feel?

[beth35]

Hi, I have been looking round pre schools. Its a nightmare to fine one I like! I have had nice places but not as nice people and visa versa!

Anyway one i like at the moment said that they welcome parents/grandparents in to volunteer. This sounded great but then i thought about it. I know im ok and crb checked (for work) and i know staff have been but other peoples parents/family etc..

Not sure if this is the norm?! Feel a bit odd about it maybe its just me?

I'd say, relax! this is the case at DD's preschool where she started this week. It's a registered charity. staff are all CRB checked obviously but they ask that each parent does one session throughout the year to help out.

we have specifically been told that NO parent helpers are allowed to take kids to the loo/change nappies etc, only proper staff.

I don't see the issue with it personally. this preschool is one big hall so there's no chance for a parent to be alone with a child anyway.

think of it another way, YOU would get to spend a session with your child and actually see the school in action. I've been told I can do my session soon as DD has settled so well and I can't wait!

It's completely the norm - the children are never alone with the parent helpers. They always have the ofsted minimum ratios PLUS the parents, and as Algebra says, the parent helpers are never allowed to take the children anywhere alone.

At my DCs school, anyone who helps is CRB checked.

AT our preschool parent helpers spend much of teh session preping snack, washing up, setting up paint/ equipment etc, clearing paint, sand, water. Sweeping floor, getting trikes / footballs in or out, putting book corner away.
Time spend with the children is pretty minimal, we are never alone in the hall with children and we do not take to the toilet any child.

IMHO regular parent volunteering is great, its good chance to observe your DC in preschool mode, talk to staff and try and work out out the names of some of teh children your DC play with .

Thanks, yeah i think its probably a good thing as I will definately volunteer. There is only one hall and plenty of staff so I am sure it is fine, i wil just check their policy on volunteers taking them to the toilet though as this seems the general jist of responses. I really liked the feel of the nursery though so will prob take this place over other outstanding nurseries that dont seem to have any warmth in the rooms, odd isnt it when you find places that dont seem to be warm to children when thats what they are there for lol