hiya, after lots of problems with getting no support from ds pre school have decided that after easter he will not be returning, spoken to previous nursery and he cant start back ther on 12th oct. I have written a letter to the head of current school outlining some concerns i have and wondered if you could have a read and tell me if i need to change/add anything, many thanks::
11 March 2010
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXX,
I am writing with regards to my son XXXX Smith who in in your pre-school class. Lately I have had a few concerns and the final straw came on Tuesday 9th March after Mrs XXXXXXXXX was very abrupt and rude to me, on going to pick XXXX up in the afternoon around 3pm I asked if I cod have a quick word about XXXX, one teacher, I cannot remember her name, advised me that it was busy due to the children going home and that we could come in and wait until they had gone, I turned round to get XXXX and when I turned back Mrs XXXXXXXXX was at the door, the other teacher, had explained that I wanted a quick word about XXXX, Mrs XXXXXXXXX's reply was very rude and embarrassing and was said in front of numerous other parents, she told me no I couldn't have a word as they were busy getting the children out to the parents, she didn't have time, they were understaffed and then at the end another abrupt no you cant, this was all said in a very rude abrupt manner, I was very shocked and walked away with XXXX. Earlier that afternoon when taking XXXX in I asked Mrs XXXXXXXXX if it would be possible to see XXXX's file, to check the speech and language programme and how XXXX was progressing , to be told no I cant and that I would have to wait until they invite all the parents to go through the files. I was very shocked at this also as she could have arranged a time with me.
Since XXXX has been at your school, I have not had any feedback whatsoever about XXXX and his difficulties, although I have tried to approach staff to find out any information I could about my son, I am non the wiser. When XXXX started in October I made the school aware that XXXX had a severe language delay, among other issues that we are seeing Dr XXXXXXXXX about, and that SALT were involved. Months ago you old me that the Educational Psychologist would visit the school and that they would see XXXX, but this has not happened and your are reluctant to do so. In our meeting 2 weeks ago, you did not feel there was any need for XXXX to go through the statementing process as you do not see that XXXX has any difficulties in the class, although a recent SALT report confirmed that XXXX was 20 months delayed in receptive language, I know that XXXX is a very sociable person and may come across as he understands what is happening, he does some of the time, but for the rest of the time he follows social cues, and follows what the other children are doing, I have not just assumed this myself, this has been reported by SALT and Portex, when they have visited previous nursery settings to observe XXXX. XXXX gets very frustrated at the lack of ability for people to understand him and vice versa, this may not show in your school, I believe this is because he is only in he school for 2.25 hours a day, when he leaves he is often frustrated and angry and I believe this is a delayed reaction. He loves coming to school as he sees his friends for 2 hours and can play with them but this is only 2 hours out of the day, I feel that when he starts school full time in September that he will struggle so much and will take his frustrations out whilst in school and that his behaviour will become worse we are already having problems with this and have been for past 2 years. He is more delayed than other children his own age, 2 years ago was assessed at being 12-18 months delayed with language and in January assessed at being 20 months delayed, this gap is getting wider and although yes he is learning his learning rate is getting slower and slower, there is a pattern, yet no programme has been put in place by the school, e.g. early years action and you do not think he needs any extra help. SALT have recently told me that XXXX is not suitable for a SALT unit in our local primary school as his receptive language is too delayed and because of other learning difficulties, yet in our meeting 2 weeks ago you think that XXXX will be OK to start mainstream school with out a statement, I strongly disagree, XXXX is not currently having speech and language therapy because of his receptive delay and his attention difficulties, so I cannot see how he will be fine without a statement.
The conclusion I have come to is that XXXX and myself are not getting sufficient support from xxxxxx Early Years Centre and there is a complete lack of communication from teachers. Due to his XXXX will not be returning after the Easter holidays, he will be re-joining his previous nursery settings. I feel very disappointed and feel that the last 5 months since XXXX started has been a constant battle for people to understand his difficulties.
Yours