any advice on dealing with a 'grumpy' teacher?

[imaginaryfriend]

Dd's in the nursery of a primary school, hopefully starting in Reception next year there. It's a busy inner city London school with a very good reputation.

There are 2 nursery teachers, 2 nursery nurses and a few other support staff here and there, and 57 children - 25 part time, 27 full time. So it's always very bustling.

The two nursery teachers are lovely and one of the nursery nurses is a bit stressed but generally ok. The other nursery nurse is a bit of a dragon to be honest. I can't think of a single time I've seen her crack a smile, she's a very big woman (about 6,2" and heavy set) and is quite intimidating to the kids. I'm not alone in thinking this, I've heard lots of mums mention how miserable she seems.

What troubles me is that she seems to play odd kinds of 'power games' with the parents / children. For instance at pick up time the other day I was the first mum through the door and she refused to look at me and call out dd's name to stand up. So I waved my hand at her and she said 'I already said dd's name 3 times' which was a blatant lie as I wouldn't have missed it and dd was watching her intently waiting for her name to be called. A couple of people behind me looked at me and said 'huh?' when she said that. She also singles out a little boy who has literally just turned 3 and automatically stands up when his mum comes in rather than waiting to have his name said. She 'punishes' him by making his mum wait by the door and he sit back down until everyone else has gone.

All this seems kind of small and petty but I was so shocked at her doing this so blatantly to me that it made me concerned about what she's like when parents aren't around.

Do I do anything or just accept that there will always be some tougher teachers kids have to contend with?

TIA!

was not offended just wondered why!!
wait until after half term and speak to teachers, don't go straight to the head, he/she is most likely to ask if u have expressed yr concern to the teachers. If teachers r young and nice they will understand. They must see what is going on. They may send u to the headteacher. They also mey not like the nursery nurses attitude but may be unable to do anything about it themselves. sometimes a complaint from a parent gets more results than a complaint from a member of staff. If u explain to nice teachers u r worried that if nasty nursery nurse is told who has complained then she will be nastier to yr child am sure they will withhold name. Does it look like teachers get on with nursery nurse. Matter needs sorting.

Just had second thought, do u have parent chats or settling in chats coming up soon, does yr nursery do them?? would be easier to chat there so nasty woman does not see u chatting to teacher.

We don't have anything like settling in chats to my knowledge. But I haven't yet asked to have a brief chat with dd's key worker about how she's getting on so maybe I could do that and mention it as part of the chat?

I totally agree that I think it needs to be sorted out too. I've mentioned it to some of the mums I know whose kids are there and we've all agreed to keep our eyes open and watch this teacher, then when I'm sure what I want to say I'll arrange a meeting with one of the nursery teachers.

Does that sound like a reasonable plan?

yep sounds reasonable, at least nasty woman is not yr daughters key worker.

No, thank goodness she's not! I feel quite sorry for people who might have her as a key worker. She doesn't seem to like any of the kids in particular, I can't think what kind of child she might be drawn to.