Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

The school is requesting one parent stay every day to assist with the children.
Just to let you know there is one teacher and an assistant and about 13 kids. Now they are asking for more assistance.
Is this usual protocol? Are parents asked to stay usually to help with the kids?


Also - They are requesting parents do not enter the classroom - instead leave them at the door and the teacher, "other parent" or assistant will help them get settled in, remove their coat, etc...
In the beginning of the school year - the parents would enter the classroom, get the children settled in and leave (it took about 5 minutes). The teacher thought it was better if we just said goodbye at the door since some kids were missing their moms and she thought it was the best option to get them settled in sooner. I really enjoyed spending those few extra minutes with her, taking off her jacket and putting her backpack away - but now we aren't allowed to enter the classroom in the morning.
Is this usual protocol for nursery school moms? Do you go into the classroom with your child in the morning?

Just wondering......TIA

Message edited 10/22/2009 9:58:15 AM.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

The first week we were allowed to enter the classroom but as soon as the second week came, we dropped them at the door and left. At that point, many of the children were still screaming for their mommies and daddies. They get better when we're not there and the teachers can carry out their routine/schedule.

My son was in a class of 13 kids last year for nursery school with two teachers in the class and they never requested a parent to stay. I think that's a bit weird.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

We drop off at the door. It makes the process much easier for the teachers to get the day started without a crying child hanging onto mommy's leg. The teachers are very good at distraction

We have 2 assistants so there is no need for a parent to stay to help but I can see why it is necessary.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

At schools that are co-ops parents help out in the class. The school my kids go to is not a co-op, and they hire teachers with early education degrees as the main teacher, and then people who are good with kids but not educators as the assistant teacher. Both of my kids have been in and are currently in classes around that size, and we've never had a problem with the 2 teachers managing the room. Once in a great while I've heard that one of the directors had to step in to help out with a specific situation, but it really is rare and we've been going there for 3 years now.

I've never gone in the class with my kids. I've always dropped them at the door, even on the first day. Now that dd is in pre-k I drop her at the foot of the stairs and she goes up on her own and puts her jacket in her cubby and all that herself.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

We also drop off at the door , it makes it alot easier for the teacher. MY nursery school has one eacher and one assistant. I think its ridiculous that they ask parents to help especially with 13 kids??? I know I could not do this program. ALot of people work or have younger siblings at home

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

My DDs class has about 12 kids and 1 teacher and 1 assitant. That's really all they need. In her school they don't ask the parents to stay and help.

I actually prefer to just drop DD off at the door. I give her a kiss and tell her mommy will back very soon,I love you and have fun! It's a lot easier especially in the beginning. I wished I did this when school first started. I started doing this with her when she was about 1 week in.

When I walked her in the classroom and helped her with her things it just prolonged her knowing I was going to leave.

Now that school has been going on for awhile DD is totally fine with me going in with her and then leaving but a lot of other kids still aren't.

We did a slow seperation class with her over the summer and when we werer completely separated the teacher asked all parents to say goodbye at the door. She was very firm with this but it really worked for all.

It reallly just depends on the school/ teacher.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

Um, no, I've never been asked to help at school. If they need more assistance, they should hire another assistant.

As for the drop-off - yes, many teachers have asked that parents drop the kids off at the door. This is because, while your child may be ok with a long-drawn out goodbye, many others are not, and it seems to perpetuate the crying. Children seem to adapt quicker to the goodbye if mom or dad give a quick peck and hug and then leave.

Alex has the same teacher this year, but it's a different class. Last year's class none of the kids cried during the dropoff so we all took our time bringing our kids in and getting them settled. This year though there are at least 3-4 kids who sob and sob, and the longer the parents hang out, the worse it gets, so the teacher has asked us all to just drop our children off at the door.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

I think the dropping off at the door thing is normal, like everyone else said.

As for staying and helping out, that would NOT fly with me, especially if it's not something I was made aware of when enrolling my DC in the school. Like many other parents, I have a baby at home and would not be able to participate regularly. Other parents may have jobs or other responsibilities that would prevent them from doing this. You can't turn a school into a co-op AFTER the school year started... total bait and switch.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

if it's a cooperative nursery school, then yes, you should expect to be in the classroom, if it's not, then no, you should not be helping out.
Ava's school is not cooperative, so we need no help in the classroom. We are urged to drop the kids at the door, but they never turn us away if the kids need a little more coddling. Usually they're all fine leaving us at the door though.

Re: Moms of Nursery School Kids - some questions.

13 kids seems like a lot for 2 people (teacher & assistant)- so I see why they'd want another hand...

Re: drop off- we do the same thing- drop off at door- the longer the lingering the worse it is for some kids (like my DD)