OK, so I offered to help out at school on my 1 day off and they have asked me....

[HuwEdwards]

to help out in the 2 reception classes (dd2 is in one of them).

Anyone else help out like this? Do you enjoy it or have you regretted it?

I do. I love it. But you need to lie down in a darkened room with a large gin afterwards!

Hi Seeker - do you 'work' in your dc's class?

I did that before swapping to being a TA (although I now work in Secondary ) - I wasn't in DSs class though, I would find that a bit odd I think & so might he??

Yes, I do - but only because he is cool about it. When dd was little, I couldn't help in her class because she was so outrageously jealous if I paid any attention to any one else!

I like to help with the "lower ability" children, so I tend to spend most of my time with the ones who find things more difficult. I think that in particular is where a teacher can usually use some support.

I have done 2 terms of 1 morning a week in the nursery attached to schl. Last term my ds2 was in, this year it will be my dd.

It was fine with ds as he is pretty calm and independant. Tbh I am dreading the morning with my daughter - I know she will want to be stuck to me like glue and she is a good bit younger - only really just 3.

[And yes it is a bus mans holiday, the noise is terrific and I have been known to have a glass of wine with lunch on that day.......honest!]

Thanks for all your replies!

I think DD2 will be cool with it - and I'm hoping in the nicest possible way that the teachers won't put my DD in the small groups/individuals that I help with.

Pamina I'm hoping too that I will get to know dd's classmates as the intake from her nursery was small this year and mostly boys (all of whom she gets on fine with), so I'm hoping (outside of class) I can encourage her to speak to one or two girls she doesn't yet know.

I have helped out with science and reading and the library in Year one for about four years. It's exhausting and sometimes the children are very, very challenging (we have a lot of special needs and just plain old-fashioned rude children), but some of them are delightful and it's so touching when they're pleased to see me.

I am a writer, based at home, and there's real creative buzz in infants' classes (if the teacher's any good), which I find quite inspiring. I also enjoy the teachers' company and because they're generally creative types, too, I learn a lot from them.

I actually prefer it now my children are not in the class anymore.

Helped out in DS & DS school for 2 years, mainly reading, art work, helping classroom assistants. Really liked small group work - less wear and tear on the ear drums. Agree with comments on headaches!

Our school policy is to not allow parents to support any class child - apart from school trips. Must admit this is good policy - no favouritism or upset, either for child or their friends. Did come into contact with DS/DD through playground supervision, and they positively beamed when they passed me in the school grounds & corridoors.