Teacher ignores DS when he goes into class

[ElsieMc]

My DS has started reception after attending the school nursery quite happily. The nursery was run by TA's and he got on well with them.

I have been aware from some other staff members and parents that this teacher is somewhat unpopular for a variety of reasons. However, as I have known her as an acquaintance for a number of years I wanted to make my own judgement and ignore gossip.

I have been in with him each day this week and she has never once said hello to him or acknowledged me. As the doors have opened quite early it has been unrushed and unbusy and it is not as if she has been tied up with other matters.

The school was in special measures, has come out, but not had a good recent inspection. However, there is a new Head and I have noticed some improvement already in that the doors are open slightly early or on time - previously they opened around 10 minutes after school was meant to start.

Should I give it a bit more time - but to be honest, theres not much I can do anyway is there as it seems to be her personality...

I would keep saying "Good Morning X!" to her in a loud cheery voice & see what happens. If she ignores you I would be tempted to make a light hearted comment to try to provoke a response. It is not usual for Reception teachers to be like this - most go out of their way to make the new children feel welcome...

I really sympathise with you as you could have been describing my ds reception teacher last year. What does it cost just to give a smile or say hello?
However, it only bothered me and my ds had a great year and was very happy so try not to worry.
His teacher this year is so lovely, smiley and chatty and what a difference it makes to how i feel about him being at school. To me it is rude but like i say ds happy and i'm sure your ds will be too.

DS's teacher did not speak to him or me either for the first few weeks.
In the case of ds, I suspect she was (in her way) setting boundaries: he is voluble to say the least and would just talk and talk if allowed.
With me, I suspect something similar: she probably didn't want to start off the year being endlessly available to overanxious parents.
She's nice as pie now.

I mean outside of class and on the way in and out - obviously she would speak to him in class!

It takes nothing to say good morning even if she were busy so really odd ... is your son happy at school?

Just as a point the school is breaking the law if the nursery is really run by TAs.

I'm not sure about that, Mrz - I think clarification was added to that regulation. The nursery my ds went to (not at the school he is about to start at, who don't have one) was run by TAs - a teacher planned with them every Wednesday. I looked into it at the time (18 months ago) and found it was indeed legal.

I'm afraid the law states that there must be a qualified teacher in a maintained nursery Feenie

page 50 Specific legal requirements for ratios of adults to children

Children aged three and over in maintained schools and nursery schools (except for children in reception classes)

The early years provision in each class or group of pupils must be led by a ?school teacher?.

A teacher must be present with the children except during non-contact time, breaks and short term absence.

and

What are the statutory staffing requirements for children aged three and over in maintained schools and nursery schools (except for children in reception classes)?

4. The early years? provision in each class or group of pupils must be led by a ?school teacher?, as defined by Section 122 of the Education Act 2002 and the Education (School Teachers? Prescribed Qualifications, etc) Order 2003. The term 'school teachers' does not apply to teaching assistants, higher-level teaching assistants or other support staff.

I know, have been looking at the same thing! Trying to remember what satisfied me at the time, must have dreamed it . They had a v successful Ofsted, too!

I bet the teacher was in place for Ofsted

Must have been, I suppose! I was actually very happy with his progress at nursery, but it's outrageous that they were breaking the law. You would think I wouldn't be able to be so easily hoodwinked, wouldn't you?

Yes, the nursery was absolutely, definitely run only by TA's. Although you are absolutely right, the reception teacher miraculously appeared when the ofsted inspection took place!

Problem of non-welcome still persists and I remain uneasy about this teacher.

I think I should post a message that says 'children ignore teacher when they go into class' - I'm always smiley and welcoming and yet many of them walk past me as if I'm invisible!

I agree with you making an effort to smile and greet her and see if you can provoke a reaction.

lilac, I have same prob, but with the older ones. They don't so much ignore me, as look as if I have crawled out from under a stone and then vomited on their shoes...
Reception are usually lovely tho, and teacher ought to be welcoming.