Are you a parent helper? What do you do?

[Runoutofideas]

I have recently offered to help out in my dd's reception class one morning per week or fortnight. I was just wondering what sort of things parent helpers normally help with? I'm imagining hearing children read and tidying up paint pots but am I way off the mark?

Also, has it affected the way your child sees school? My dd is quite shy and has taken a while to settle. I don't want to unsettle her further by me being around - on the other hand will it make her feel more comfortable. School seem to prefer parents to help in their own child's class rather thatn other classes - is this usual and what would be the reason? Would be grateful to hear of any experiences. Thanks

I would not go to your child's class in my experence parents who have their parent into help do tend to show off, having siad that if yo were clear with her that your are helping in school and distance yoursef of her in the class etc then Im sure she would be ok.
Parent helpers in the clas where I work do the following:
Hear readers, help with wall displays, take a small group, help with the ratios on our trips out by having a group etc.

They are not allowed in my school to be alone with the cildren, to take them to the loo including their own children.
They must also have an enhanced CRB done.

I helped out in ds's nursery, and it was basically just being an extra pair of hands. In reception you may hear readers, sit with a group that are doing an activity, playing with a group or, like you said washing paint pots.

Usually, before you go in they will ask you what you are prepared to do. Why not ask the teacher?

My ds is fairly shy, but he was always aware that I was there for the class and not just him, maybe have a word with your dd before you go in. It is a bit bizare to begin with to see your beloved child as just another in the group!!

When I started helping at DS school, I told him that if he started mucking about, then I'd not be able to do it anymore. He used to just give me a little "hi mum" and carry on with his own work. Nowadays, he doesn't even notice me.
One important thing, is confidentiality. The teachers should explain at the start that what happens in school stays in school. No repeating anything or reporting back on reading levels to other parents.
Also, ask right at the start about using the toilets, they should direct you to the staff toilets) and whether you are allowed in the stock rooms, staff rooms etc. My current school luckily have a "visitors toilet", but they have a strict policy about not allowing parents in the staff room.

When I started in reception, it was just filing, and over the years have done craft activities, nowadays I usually do reading, which I love. I get really proud when "my" readers move up a level.

I do allotmenting, craft, art and as an extra pair of hands on trips and activity days.

The school knows the talents of its helpers and allocates jobs accordingly.

Thanks everyone - very interesting. I don't think dd would show off - she's too quiet for that - but she may get upset when I leave halfway through the day. I would definitely have a good chat with her first so that she knows I'm there to help everyone and do whatever her teacher asks me to do.

I understand completely the point about confidentiality. Do the other parents approach you to try to find out how their child is doing then? Is it difficult to fob them off?

The head teacher has said she'll do a bit of training first. I assume that's when I find out about toilet procedures/staff room usage etc

Are you involved in discipling the children in any way, or does the teacher/TA deal with any incidents?

My artistic talents are about on a par with a 5 year old, so I'm not sure I'd be able to do much apart from clear up the mess!

I always tell the children (yr3 and 1) that I am NOT the teacher/TA and to speak to them about any incidents.

Ditto helping them with any words/work I've not been told to help them with.

I help out with the reading so hear individual readers (am also very happy when they go up a level as well

Have also been CRB checked, the yr 3s I go into a seperate room to listen to them (with the door open!) and yr 1's I'm in the corner of the classroom.

Have never done toilet duty (and I started in reception and followed the same class (IYKWIM)

I used to help out regularly when my dd was in nursery and then Y1. She got very jealous if I was asked to help on a table other than hers so I told her I couldn't go in anymore if it carried on. Now I go in to listen to a group on her class read. It is not her group and she gets a bit cross about that.

I help in DS's class, at first he did hang around me a bit too much but he has got used to it now, and knows that the teachers are in charge not me. Anything I notice that concerns me (eg misbehaviour) I would speak quietly to a staff member.

I didn't have rules explained at all, one TA told us we could use the staffroom, a teacher had to take us out and explain that it was not allowed. No one mentioned confidentiality either, you could get in a right mess if you didn't respect that. No one told me you had to sign in at reception for ages either. I might ask at school if they have a policy for parent helpers, if not suggest they should get one.

Have had an enhanced CRB and am therefore allowed alone with kids but rarely happens in practice, reading takes place in a separate room but people wander in and out all the time and there is usually someone else reading with another child on the other side of the room. Wouldn't help with toilet.

I use the staffroom and eat their biscuits (but it takes a year to get an official invite )

DD (yr1) gives me a quick hug (to mark her territory)and then gets on with it DS (yrs) gives me a sly sideways wave and raises his eyebrows.

I help in both DS (Y1) and DD (Reception)'s classes. In DD's I do a combination of listening to readers, playing games with the children, admin things (sticking letters in home school diaries) and work in their school scrap books. I am there for a morning each week.

In DS's class I listen to readers for an hour every week.

I have an enhanced CRB check but haven't ever been in a situation where I am on my own with the children. I have also found that it doesn't bother DS or DD in any way that I am there - DD will sometimes come and hold my hand but the majority of the time she is just playing with her friends . DS likes it if he does ever read to me but I usually make sure I don't listen to him.

In reception I heard readers; year 2 I did individual spellings; year 3 I do individual spellings, guided reading with a group of children and hear individuals read on occasions. I love it! Most of the time I've been in DS2's classroom but this term I've also been doing guided reading with the other year 3 class which has made a nice change. DS2 can be a bit clingy on occasions but I've always made it quite clear that if he doesn't get on with what he's supposed to be doing and let me get on with my task, then I won't be allowed to help out anymore. On the whole he likes me there so behaves himself!

I started by hearing children read and checking sounds/spellings, graduating through small group work in the class onto sewing/embroidery projects and cooking with groups ( with a bit of filing and photocopying thrown in!) I began by helping in my son's class for an hour a week, a couple of years later I was in school 2/3 mornings or afternoons, I'm now a qualified teacher!

Everyone at our school has to attend a "parent involvement" course run by the school before helping in class or with excursions etc. which explains things like confidentiality and school policies.

In DD's Y1 class 4 parents help 3 mornings a week with literacy - listening to reading, giving short spelling tests, helping them complete workbooks, supervising them writing stories etc. Each parent works with a group of 4-5 children and the teacher has a group. I have also done stuff like type up the children't stories for the teacher to upload it on to the class blog, helped prepare the weekly "homework packs" (change readers, photocopy spelling lists etc.). The teacher usually asks for 1-2 parents to help each week with art and parents are asked to help with excursions.

Hello,

I help out one morning a week (for 2 hours) with reading in DS class (year 2).

Since I started doing it, his reading has improved a lot.

He likes me being in class, which I find very touching. He is shy and sensitive, and somehow at this age it is "cool" to have your mum in class.

It has helped me understand how the school "works", where DS is compared to other children. It´s fun to do too, kids this age (6, 7) are just gorgeous and fun.

I take my cues from teacher and TA, they tell me what needs to be done (mostly one on one reading).

At dd1's school they allocate parent helpers to year groups their dc's aren't in.

I helped out in y3 when dd was in Reception, I listened to readers, helped groups of less able children complete worksheets in class, helped the TA's prepare things for classes eg cutting up bits of paper to the right size for an activity, sharpened pencils, washed paint pots etc etc

I really enjoyed it and am sorry not to be able to do it any more.

I read with 2 year groups (both classes that my dd's are in). I have no problems with my children being in that class, they dont' show off or anything like that.
I also go on school trips to help.
As a fairly new family to the school, going into help has given me a better insight into the school, my children's friendships (I dont' interfere but when my younger dd tells me "no-one likes me..." I don't over react as I might have done previously as I've seen how many children DO like her!
I would never talk to parents about their child's reading - that is not my place or role but the teacher's. If I am worried by an incident such as a child disclosing information I will encourage that child to speak to their teacher or talk to the teacher myself as appropriate (this has happened with a child who was upset by something)
I really enjoy spending time at school with my children and gaining insight into their life and as long as they are happy for this and don't feel I'm intruding I will continue to do so
my profession is nursing and as such I am CRB checked BUT the school have not done one and I wouldnt' mind for a second if they did (in fact I'd like them to so that I know everyone involved in supporting my children's learning is checked)

Thanks everyone - very intersting information. Will have to wait until after Easter, to see what they would like me to do! DDs teacher doesn't seem the friendliest of people, so I'm not sure how happy she is about parents helping out. The head seemed keen though...

I have been helping hear children read, one morning per week, since the second term of Reception, with my dd in the class.

I think it depends entirely on the child, the class, etc how it works for you with your dd....mine was well settled by the time I started helping, and apart from one or two wobbly mornings when seeing me set her off feeling tearful, she's been absolutely fine with it. I think she's quite proud of me

In Reception, she made a point of ignoring me apart from the occasional surreptitious (hysterical!) thumbs up. In Y1 she's so used to me being there on a Monday morning, she doesn't bat an eyelid or notice when I leave at lunchtime.

Its a lot of fun, and I've got to know all the children well over two years...its lovely seeing them all grow and change.