Applying to be a TA in my own child's class

[Hellokittycat]

Is anyone in this situation? What problems might occur and any advice on making things run smoothly?

Problems?

Your own child will hate it. They won't be able to be themselves with you there. They will be forever "the TA's child in X's class", the teacher will put a stoic smile on, but inwardly be forever on tenterhooks that "X's Mum is watching her every move". Your child will be treated differently, even if it's only psychologically. How will you react if your child misbehaves? It's easy to say now you would support the teacher 100%, but hand on heart, would you? Which child would you save first in a fire? How will the other parents (who are probably part of your social circle) take it?

Making things run smoothly? No idea. Can't see it happening.

It's an appalling idea, and if I were the teacher, if possible, I would refuse to have a TA who was also a parent in my class.

I honestly wouldn't do it. Sorry, that's not very helpful, but I think it's something that should really be avoided if you can possibly help it. Would the school consider moving TAs around so you would not be in your child's class?

Cross posted with drankSangria - I agree with everything she said.

bad idea

I work in a school where my kids are at, and luckily I never really worked in my DDs class (except for occasional cover). I am lucky in that my kids have always got the "I'm at work" thing (which i've always been really strict about - unbelievably quick cuddle at playtime if they see me but nothing else - i.e. no more of a cuddle than I would give to other children who often want one) so it wasn't really ever much of a problem. It depends on how you think your DC can handle it and whether you feel you can also be detached and professional. There are other members of staff who have had their kids in their year and found it very tough.

It can be done but it needs very careful handling. The moving TAs around is a much better option even if it is just for the one year.

Hmmm my sister works at my kids school and the unofficial rule is you don't work in class with family members. My youngest goes into reception(her class) this year so she will be moving to another year.

I would hate for them to be in with her, she's great at her job Nd a great sister but I feel it would be like treading on eggshells and blurring the lines

Will school allow it? Ours don't. I wouldn't think it was a great idea to be honest.

I've never been in a school that allowed it, as a matter of policy.

I teach my daughter's class one day a week and also for supply. We have no problems....there other teacher also has a child in the class.....again, not a problem.

It's a 1 to 1 TA starting September specifically for a child with additional needs. My child would also be starting September in the same class. One form entry, so no option to move around TAs or child.
The required knowledge for the additional need is something I have trained in and not often such jobs come up...
I am hoping that as it is reception class, my child will know no different as yet and will adapt to it more easily. Plus I will be spending most of my time 1 to 1 with another child.
I have the interview soon and I expect I will be asked the question about how I will manage the situation! (I do know that there have been several occasions in which teachers there have taught their own child so I know the school is not opposed to it in general)

I am surprised at such unanimous negative responses though. Food for thought!

Well, perhaps your DD will cope with the distinction and be fine with being one of many, and the parents of the children won't get snarky about it either.
Only time will tell, I hope it works out as a 1:1 TA with SN training already is a fantastic asset.

OK. I had exactly the same situation at work. A job came up for a 1 to 1 in my DD's class. I already knew the child in question and we got on really well, too. In any other circumstances it would have been great, but I felt that there were potentially some problems mainly:

1. how the parent might feel regarding any confidential issues regarding progress / behaviour,

2. the fact that the expectation for the job was that I would be the designated support for that child throughout their time in the school so I would essentially follow my own DD through the school which I didn't feel was right for anyone involved. As a normal TA it would only have been an issue for 1 academic year.

It's a very difficult decision but in the end it was the right one for us.

Good luck!

Our school doesn't allow TA's to work in the same classroom as their child. To be honest, I wouldn't do it anyway. It is distracting for them and you.

Ds and dd have both had SEN TA's since their entry to nursery. When ds was due to move from infants to juniors I opted to move him to an out of catchment school. One of the reasons being that the school proposed to assign him a TA who was the parent of a child in his class. It wasn't the only reason but if there was a choice to be made it would be a deciding factor for me. I would want confidentiality (ds had very challenging behaviour) and I would prefer not to be in a position where I might be suspicious of the TA having broken that.
Ds did hurt many children in Infants could you be detached if it was your child that he'd hurt? Because I know I couldn't I wouldn't want his TA to be in that position.

That's a very good point about moving up with the child, and therefore always being in your child's class.

I didn't apply when a teaching job came up at my dd's school as I felt very strongly that it was her school and she should have the freedom to be her own person! without me always being around.

I was also worried about my own relationships with other parents if I had a dual role. I felt it would potentially put me in a difficult position.

Be very ready to answer questions about confidentiality at interview. My new TA's youngest child left our school last year so she's friends with lots of parents. Even with a 5 year age gap between the children she's working with and her own child, I know she's faced several situations already where she's had to be very careful about how she chose her words.

DS' school changed the rules after DS1's reception year when one TA had her daughter in the class. I think the fact it was reception made it worse as there were lots of tears and children pleading their parents to stay with them because "L's mummy is here all day!"

It was horrible, DS1 really couldn't understand why I couldn't stay with him at first and L was too little bit to say Mummy etc...I think they did the right thing changing it.

Too little not to say mummy!

If it's a 1:1 you'll be working in the same class as your child for the whole of their time at primary school. I think the teacher would hate it.

I doubt the head would employ you if your daughter was in that class.

Sorry to say, I would be very unlikely to appoint you. It is too much of a minefield. We usually avoid appointing TAs and teachers with a child anywhere in the school unless there are no other suitable candidates, let alone in the same class.

One of our TAs is 1-1 with a child in her daughter 's class and it's been fine!

I do it in my daughters year 3 class. It's absolutely fine.