I know most of you have younger babies....

cecig

but I'd like an opinion please. I posted this on another board earlier so I'm going to C&P.

I'm getting a bad vibe from my DD's new teacher and wanted some opinions.

My DD started preschool this past January when she was 2 1/2. Things started off a bit rocky, but only because she was shy and weary of a new place, as expected. It took her just a few weeks to get settled in but eventually she loved going & loved her teachers, she would come home talking about them, etc. 

Last month, she got bumped up to the 3 year old class which obviously meant a new teacher. And well, something about the new teacher just doesn't sit well with me. First off, she's not very friendly. Don't get me wrong, I certainly don't expect a long-winded conversation but at least a "good morning" or "hello" would be nice. There was one morning that I was dropping DD off and she and the assistant teacher were too busy talking (more like flirting if you ask me) with one of the dad's to console my DD who was crying (this was her 2nd week in the new class). There are also a couple of little things that bug me - for ex. I don't think she's accurate on the take home sheets. She marks things that my DD ate for lunch when I know it's something that my DD despises. She fills out the take home sheet first thing in the morning and then makes copies for all of the kids, which is pure laziness if you ask me. One of the lines she is supposed to complete on the form is: "Today I enjoyed:________" How can she predict what my kid is going to enjoy before she even arrives? This class also promotes independence and self-confidence which I am all for, but don't three year olds still need help wiping when they use the restroom? Mine comes home with stained (more than just a smudge) panties every time And finally, last week when I picked DD up, she immediately started crying when I walked in. She said something happened but that she would tell me later. I asked the assistant teacher what happened and she said she didn't see anything. Once we got to the car my DD finally told me that she hit her head on the chalkboard but that nobody saw it happen. I think all she wanted was to be comforted by someone.

Soooooo.....if you have made it this far, let me first just say thanks! Do you think I'm making a big deal out of a bunch of little things? It's hard drawing the line between being protective and paranoid. I'm going to see how things go tomorrow and then schedule a meeting with the director. 

Thanks again for listening!

 

MauiWedding08

I would definitely be concerned.  I would document all of your concerns, including specific examples and share that when you meet with the director. 

J has transitioned rooms once (from infant room to 12-24 mo) already so I know what that is like.  He seemed so small compared to the 20+ month olds.  I'm sure in some ways that learning gap gets smaller due to child developmental levels being less drastic between 12 month intervals, but it also gets harder because the child's individual personality emerges more so the teachers must adapt.  If that is not happening I would definitely be concerned.  I wouldn't mind if a teacher is reserved - I appreciate the teachers that don't want to talk my ear off when I'm there and anxious to get J home, but what you are explaining is not that type of situation at all.

All that said, these issues do seem like ones that could be resolved if the teacher is disciplined or however they address issues in that environment, so I would wait to see what the director says and see if you see any immediate changes after that meeting.  She does sound lazy, so who knows what effect a stern talking to and request for changes from a supervisor might have, but it's worth a shot.

I understand the whole independence thing, but there still needs to be quite a bit of assistance and teaching happening too, especially as the child learns new skills.  The restroom issue would really bother me (as would the flirting, but that is a whole 'nother story...).

Married2MrWright

MauiWedding08:

I would definitely be concerned.  I would document all of your concerns, including specific examples and share that when you meet with the director. 

...these issues do seem like ones that could be resolved if the teacher is disciplined or however they address issues in that environment, so I would wait to see what the director says and see if you see any immediate changes after that meeting.  She does sound lazy, so who knows what effect a stern talking to and request for changes from a supervisor might have, but it's worth a shot.

I understand the whole independence thing, but there still needs to be quite a bit of assistance and teaching happening too, especially as the child learns new skills.  The restroom issue would really bother me (as would the flirting, but that is a whole 'nother story...).

this x100! Your instincts seem spot on to me Ceci...and I would be taking this up with the teacher and her supervisor ASAP. Here's the deal...you're paying for them to teach and supervise your DD and if you feel they're not doing an adequate job then you can certainly take your business elsewhere.

I am sure the supervisor would be VERY interested to know that those report forms are prefilled each day...REALLY defeats the entire purpose of having them, no?

I am so sorry you have to deal with this...but I hope you find a remedy soon...it sounds not right to me.

myday1708

I absolutely don't think you are overreacting at all! Sounds similar in set-up to our daycare. If I had any of these issues, we'd go straight to the director. And definitely bring in any documentation you can. The sheet needs to be filled out at end of day... And the foods ate is so important, incl naptime and other details. I'm so sorry that you are having to go thru this! :-(

redshoegirl

Married2MrWright:

MauiWedding08:

I would definitely be concerned.  I would document all of your concerns, including specific examples and share that when you meet with the director. 

...these issues do seem like ones that could be resolved if the teacher is disciplined or however they address issues in that environment, so I would wait to see what the director says and see if you see any immediate changes after that meeting.  She does sound lazy, so who knows what effect a stern talking to and request for changes from a supervisor might have, but it's worth a shot.

I understand the whole independence thing, but there still needs to be quite a bit of assistance and teaching happening too, especially as the child learns new skills.  The restroom issue would really bother me (as would the flirting, but that is a whole 'nother story...).

this x100! You're instincts seem spot on to me Ceci...and I would be taking this up with the teacher and her supervisor ASAP. Here's the deal...you're paying for them to teach and supervise your DD and if you feel they're not doing an adequate job then you can certainly take your business elsewhere.

I am sure the supervisor would be VERY interested to know that those report forms are prefilled each day...REALLY defeats the entire purpose of having them, no?

I am so sorry you have to deal with this...but I hope you find a remedy soon...it sounds not right to me.

+1000000 to all of this. I don't have anything new to add (I think others said it better than I could), but I don't think you're overreacting. And if I was the director, I would absolutely want to know if this was happening in one of my rooms.

eacerna

i agree with what everybody else have said. Trust your mom instinct. If I have minor issues/concerns, I normally talk to the teacher. However, in your case, I'd probably go straight to the director and make her aware of what's happening. Hopefully, things will get better!!!

SanHawaii08

we haven't started daycare, but i don't think you're overreacting at all!!  i would definitely be concerned as well.  good luck!

cecig

Okay, so I am beyond furious now

I have been logged in to the online cameras at Cassie's school today...I wanted to take the time to really get a good look at the everyday happenings around there and to make sure that perhaps I am not overreacting.

So according to the schedule, lunch time is supposed to be from 11:15 to 11:45. 30 minutes, right? As I'm watching, I notice they sit down for lunch at 11:05 a.m. At 11:14 a.m., Cassie gets up to use the restroom. While she was gone, mind you she was back at 11:16 a.m., I see the assistant teacher throw away her plate of food and cup of milk. Her plate was practically full! Cassie walked by her chair, noticed the plate was gone, so she went to lay down on her mat [naptime is immediately after lunch].

Like seriously, you gave my kid 9 minutes to eat lunch, and then didn't even bother to ask if she was finished before you threw it away?

DH and I happened to carpool today so you can bet they are going to get an earful when we pick her up this afternoon!

eacerna

cecig:

Okay, so I am beyond furious now

I have been logged in to the online cameras at Cassie's school today...I wanted to take the time to really get a good look at the everyday happenings around there and to make sure that perhaps I am not overreacting.

So according to the schedule, lunch time is supposed to be from 11:15 to 11:45. 30 minutes, right? As I'm watching, I notice they sit down for lunch at 11:05 a.m. At 11:14 a.m., Cassie gets up to use the restroom. While she was gone, mind you she was back at 11:16 a.m., I see the assistant teacher throw away her plate of food and cup of milk. Her plate was practically full! Cassie walked by her chair, noticed the plate was gone, so she went to lay down on her mat [naptime is immediately after lunch].

Like seriously, you gave my kid 9 minutes to eat lunch, and then didn't even bother to ask if she was finished before you threw it away?

DH and I happened to carpool today so you can bet they are going to get an earful when we pick her up this afternoon!

 

Wow! Glad you caught that. You have the right to be mad. Let us know how it went.

inamra

Oh wow, that's horrible =( I can't believe they threw away her plate full of food while she was gone for 2 minutes! That definitely adds to the whole spew of things that have raise red flags already. I'm so sorry that this is happening but I'm glad you are catching these things so you can deal with it now before it gets any worse.

SanHawaii08

that's so strange.  how could they possibly think she was finished eating?!  and the thought of cassie wandering over to her mat so obediently, while probably hungry, almost made me cry

my next thought was, since they didn't even ask her if she was finished, that maybe they were punishing her for something, or there's a history of something going on that you don't know about?!   hopefully i'm just reading too much into their behavior. 

eta: just to be clear, i don't think withholding a meal from a child is ever acceptable!

mrs.winter

I would be beyond furious!  Go straight to the director and tell them everything. Is there another room she could transfer? 

mrspresley

wow I am curious to know how things went.... I think you have every right to be upset and you are definitely not over-reacting.  it's great that you can see what is going on through the webcam.... I guess the teachers just don't think anyone is really watching? but hopefully the school records it so you have proof of what is going on in that classroom.  I feel bad for little Cassie b/c it doesn't sound like she is a good supportive environment   I hope things get better. keep us posted!