PreSchool “preparer”

[highexpectations]

We went to a parents evening at the preschool DD will attend in September (London school, oversubscribed, nonselective...) and was amazed that at least four of the parents there had used a preschool preparer (I don’t know what else to call her!) for a few hours a week for the last year to ensure their children could read, count, add, etc. before they went to school.

I found this out because I was asked whether DD could read etc. (she can) and was then asked whether I had used Mrs X.

What is the title of these people? I’ve been googling and can’t find this woman’s name anywhere so I presume her services are found via word of mouth.

nice first post

What does that even mean Korg? It is not my first post, I post on the Education boards a LOT. I have changed because there is information about my daughter in the post. It will be obvious to some which school I am talking about and they don’t have a large yearly intake.

So what exactly is your issue? Do you object to private schools?

I am simply trying to find out what this job role is called.

That should read “I have name changed”...

Tutor

Preschool? As in, aged three? Really?

A tutor? My son got given a leaflet at preschool asking if he would like extra tuition, it’s a money spinner.

The children are starting school in September, Reception, aged 4. Some are 3 now yes.

Thanks, still can’t find anything under her name and “tutor”.

BTW I am not wanting her services. I taught DD to read and I only have the one child. I am interested because I didn’t know this job existed. All the children I know who could read at nursery were taught by their parents of nanny.

My kids knew letters and were starting to read at the beginning of preschool and were good recognising numbers.

The preparer's name was "Cbeebies"

Rainbow

My dd is only just showing a massive interest so I've started teaching her phonics in the order in which they are taught at school; s-a-t-p-i-n etc. We won't cover all but she'll have a good foundation when she starts in September. My other two children couldn't have cared less so we didn't go there. They can now read pretty well. I don't understand why children need to be pushed at this early age, when the pressures are high enough throughout their school lives. Sad.

Fwiw, oldest dd is way ahead in reading despite only knowing a few sounds when she started school (the ones in her name; m for mummy; d for daddy etc)

Plus I assumed from your op that she was starting preschool in September, not school. Hence why I was incredulous at a child being prepared for preschool when they are practically still babies.

Ah, I meant they were being prepared PRE school, when they were 3 (although one started at 2 and was reading at 3).

Crackers. Any good school can take children at 4 and teach phonics well.

If the parents have to pay tutors already you have to wonder about the school!!

DD was reading at 3 and now (just turned 4) has a reading age of about 5. I just taught her because she was interested. It’s true they are like sponges. I am delighted that other children starting school can also read because they can play more board games etc together.

I find this so crazy...primary school is supposed to teach them to read!
Where have parents got this idea that they should be reading when they start?
It's bloody neurotic.

ScaredPAD I think they all know their phonics from nursery (most children have gone to the same 3 or 4 nurseries in the area). This is beyond what the nurseries do. The school differentiates and I think the parents want them In the higher sets to start with.

I was reading before school and that was a long time ago! My brothers children (older than DD) were also. It’s not that unusual.

It's not a race, though.

I was reading before school but that was considered unusual at the time.
My son was in "extension" classes for literacy at his nursery in a deprived area. I was confused when I found out as he obviously couldn't read. He was there because he could talk in sentences. That's what was unusual enough to warrant "extension". The activities consisted of him telling a story to the teacher and the teacher writing it into a "book".
Meanwhile I was taking him to a playgroup with a poster on the wall advertising pre school tutors that promised to have kids reading before they start school.
Honestly....different world's.
I find it really sad that parents want their kids in top sets at the beginning of school. I hope we can all see how disfunction al this situation is.

unlimiteddilutingjuice I think it IS a race for some, that is why it surprised me.

I have learned however that sometimes it is the pushy parents and sometimes the child just lives to learn. The latter should be encouraged.

I’m pleased others can read though, it means DD won’t stick out at school.

I meant “lives to learn” but maybe “lives to learn” is true in some cases too!

Shit! LOVES to learn!

Gosh it sounds a hideous school.
It's not a race. By the time they're in year 2 you don't know who learnt before school and who learnt in reception.

Similar to once they're 5 you're not comparing who walked first!!

(Btw phonics isn't just learning letter sounds but learning to read. There's not just the 26 letter sounds!!)