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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Issues with reception teacher

41 replies

HR313 · 17/02/2022 18:28

I’ve posted on here before about my 4 yr old (5 in April). She started reception last September and by October the teacher had come to me saying she was concerned my daughter had issues with number recognition and memory. She said it might be dyslexia but I’ve read schools don’t normally diagnose until age 7. Anyway she had some form of assessment and the teacher said she would let me know as soon as she had had these… about a month or so passed and I messaged the teacher (assuming she had forgotten) and she has finally spoken to me in the playground at the end of the day saying she had the assessment ‘a while ago’ And that ‘there were traits’ of dyslexia but then went on to say ‘oh I wouldn’t worry yet they don’t normally do anything about it until year 3’ and ‘it might just be an age thing’ and then in a patronising tone said ‘but there are traits’ so what the hell am I meant to take from that?! She gave me some worksheets to help my daughter with memory etc. my daughter has since been able to recognise numbers to 20 after that initially being highlighted an issue, is now on stage phonics 2 set 6 books - if anyone knows what this means? Is she behind? I’m at a total loss and feel quite cross at the teacher with being so vague and tarring my daughter as having some learning impairment and then going on to say it might or might not be dyslexia! There is parents evening mid March and I want to be able to express my concerns to the teacher about how this has come across to me as a parent. Any advise would be much appreciated. I’ve never been through the school system before and it seems like a minefield…

OP posts:

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 18:41

Rubbish. Your daughter is 4! And stage 2 books are fine for her to be on.

Your child's teacher sounds unprofessional in every way.

And I speak as an (albeit key stage 2) primary teacher, and mother of three children.

Yellowmellow2 · 17/02/2022 18:47

Very unprofessional of the teacher. Firstly, she should not be having such conversations in the playground. Secondly, I can’t imagine what assessments she’s done that would tell you a 4 year old has ‘traits of dyslexia’. Dyslexia can only be diagnosed by someone qualified to do so, and usually not before the age of 7. The teacher is very unprofessional to make such sweeping, uninformed statements.

You need to book an appointment with the school’s SENCo asap and ask what assessments have been done, and what they show. I wouldn’t be surprised if the SENCo isn’t aware of what the teacher is doing and saying.

FairyCakeWings · 17/02/2022 18:52

It sounds like the teacher felt your dd was having trouble picking up and retaining everything that was taught, and then totally misspoke when she spoke to you about it and mentioned dyslexia. Then she realised she shouldn’t have said it so backtracked next time you talked to her.

Your dd is in the perfect place at stage 2 reading level in reception. Focus on your dd’s progress, and do the memory exercises if you think it might help her.

Gowithme · 17/02/2022 19:02

I think suggesting she may have dyslexia at 4 is very premature. I agree with speaking to the SENCO.

Original poster

HR313 · 17/02/2022 19:32

I think after half term I’m going to request to meet with the SENco to express my concerns. The teacher always comes out after school if there is an issue with a particular child… some of the issues have been quite personal as I’ve over heard on occasion. Im feeling really sad for my daughter as I always saw her as just a normal child.

OP posts:

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 19:44

Awww, she is a normal child!!

She's where she should be on her reading and has learnt her numbers to 20.

Trust me, not all teachers are equipped to actually be in their role.

Don't let her misjudged comments affect your confidence and pleasure in your child.

Some of the most successful schooling systems internationally don't start formal schooling until 7.

IMHO most children aren't fully ready for school until they turn 5.

PickledPeppa · 17/02/2022 19:58

She started reception last September and by October the teacher had come to me saying she was concerned my daughter had issues with number recognition and memory.

I work in Reception. A child not being able to recognise numbers or letters in October wouldn't be a cause for concern at all. We certainly wouldn't be considering dyslexia, let alone actually arranging for a child to be tested for it!

Something doesn't sound right here. If you're not getting any clear answers from the teacher then speaking to the SENCO sounds like a good plan.

itsgettingweird · 17/02/2022 20:06

It's possible what the teacher is referring to is DEST. Dyslexia early screening test.

It can show the strengths and weaknesses and learning styles and highlight possibilities of dyslexia in reception children.

Often it's referred to as specific learning difficulties.

I would worry less right now about what is causing the delays or difficulties in learning and how to support dd.

Firstly by putting the ball firmly in the schools court.

Email senco, teacher and head (copy into same email).

Thank you for highlighting your concerns re DDs learning in xxxxx.

Thank you for informing me on x date she shows possible traits of dyslexia. Could you confirm how this was established?

Could you please email me detailed information of the input ds is having with regards these areas of need so I can also support her at home.

Thanks
Xxxxx

This actually then requires the school to either admit they aren't supporting (not ok!) and hopefully if they aren't they'll realise you're on the ball and put something in place.

It's easy to see traits at a young age but very difficult to pinpoint a cause. It can just be delays in development and that's actually more common now due to lockdowns etc.

My ds has traits of severe dyslexia but because he has a physical disability which makes writing very difficult and is autistic so has communication difficulties this is the actual cause. It just presents the same way.

cansu · 17/02/2022 20:12

Your dd hasn't been tarred with anything. The teacher let you know she was struggling and did some pre screening. Your dd is too young to be formally diagnosed. You can work with her and the svhool ate aware she is behind. You are cross with the teacher for telling you your dd is struggling. Ridiculous.

Catabogus · 17/02/2022 20:12

My DD is 4 and in reception. She can’t recognise all numbers to 20 and is also on stage 2 phonics. Her teacher, who seems very on the ball, told me at parents’ evening that she is excelling.

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 20:14

Delays in development at 4 after a term and a half of learning!!

When stated evidence points to age related expectations anyway..

What rubbish.

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 20:15

She isn't behind!!!

yaboreme · 17/02/2022 20:21

Perhaps she should have taken the time to take you aside and express concerns.

Flippantly talking in the playground is so unprofessional, these things need to be discussed properly. For example if she really believes this, she should have some sort of plan to show you, not just 'oh by the way' in the playground.

I'd ask to speak to her and ask what tests have been carried out, and request a proper sit down if necessary.

Honestly though at 4, I wouldn't be overly concerned but all the same would want answers as to where she has come up with this and her reasons?

TheHoptimist · 17/02/2022 20:25

The 2021 revised eyfs has a strong focus on early identification, the good practice materials suggest having a conversation from as little as 5 days in.

Sounds like a school doing the right thing

Original poster

HR313 · 17/02/2022 20:29

@cansu

There is always one. I think I will go with my gut instinct as a parent. From what others have said on this thread, it sounds like the teacher is very unprofessional - an opinion I strongly agree with.

OP posts:

TheHoptimist · 17/02/2022 20:41

It can be very hard to accept that a child many have SEND. Many parents kick back and blame the person who tells them

Maybe do a little more research
I knew my daughter had dyslexia age 5 and I once taught a 5 year old who I put forward for diagnosis and was diagnosed

Original poster

HR313 · 17/02/2022 20:45

@TheHoptimist

It can be very hard to accept that a child many have SEND. Many parents kick back and blame the person who tells them

Maybe do a little more research
I knew my daughter had dyslexia age 5 and I once taught a 5 year old who I put forward for diagnosis and was diagnosed

Why didn’t my daughters nursery highlight any potential issues in the august before she left? They must have had an inkling she might have dyslexia? Why didn’t they mention before she started school to give us a ‘heads up’ before the school told us in October she might be dyslexic? I think the teacher has a box to tick. She has been incredibly vague and said ‘she has traits’ but then doesn’t go on to elaborate what the traits are…

OP posts:

GracieLouFreeebush · 17/02/2022 20:45

Im feeling really sad for my daughter as I always saw her as just a normal child.

What a horrendous thing to say. My niece is dyslexic and she is very much a normal child.

I personally would be impressed that the teacher was looking for early signs. I teach secondary and the kids that have gone under the radar all through primary very rarely “catch up” but those with early intervention show clear progress.

Crazycrazylady · 17/02/2022 20:46

Honestly your dd has only a few months left in this teachers class and seems to be making progress now. Schools are small places and teachers are friends with each other and you're just at the start of your journey there .I don't know that calling the teacher unprofessional will gain much.
But that's just me 🤷🏻

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 20:55

For the sake of your sanity, please stop engaging on this thread op.

Your child is 4, and doing well from the actual evidence stated so far. She is one of the youngest in the class and sounds like she's catching up after only a term and a half of being in reception.

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 20:56

Crazy late, did the op say she was going to accuse the teacher of being unprofessional? As in actually state that ti the school?

You may have misread...

Icecreamandapplepie · 17/02/2022 20:56

Crazy lady

Fullofpudding · 17/02/2022 20:59

So children with dyslexia aren't normal then I can't say I agree with the way the teacher told you and then the lack of follow up but to make that comment is very cruel!!

Original poster

HR313 · 17/02/2022 21:04

I knew my comments would be misconstrued somewhere down the line. I am only saying that I just saw my daughter as an average child not a child with additional needs as it had never been highlighted to me before now?! Clearly she does, so those who are accusing me of saying dyslexic children aren’t normal - we are clearly on the same team.

OP posts:

RandomDent · 17/02/2022 21:08

I think the reception teacher has been pulled up by the senco for going in too quickly. I teach infants and am often frustrated by this, it’s true that people hold back until the child is older but it’s not necessarily the right thing to do. . Potential for dyslexia can be spotted early but we don’t get much training in this, so if you find one who knows it’s a good thing.

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