Parents in classrooms

[Over40]

Should parents have completly free access to the classroom at the begining and end of the day? If not, why and what do they have access to?

[GypsyMoth]

would be bedlam!

[mathanxiety]

In my DCs' school, parents don't enter the school at all either in the morning or afternoon. The DCs line up outside the school in the morning until the bell goes and they all troop in, class by class. If the weather is horrible they line up in the lunch room indoors. The children have a few minutes to get jackets, snow boots, etc., off and hung up before going into class -- I think the late bell rings 7 minutes after the first one.

There are issues with safety on the stairs (classrooms are upstairs) if people were going up and down at the same time, as well as space in the hallways, and also there's the child protection aspect of things.

The parents and caregivers wait outside at the end of the day. Some hang around and chat in the morning while the DCs are lined up. Teachers come out and supervise the lines in the morning, though. They also supervise the children as they leave, make sure everyone is picked up or accounted for. If a child is going home with another child, the school has to be notified of the arrangement in the case of the younger children.

I think this system works very well. I can't see any disadvantages, and lots of advantages.

[Goblinchild]

30 children, possibility of 60+parents (let us consider blended families) Danger of crush deaths.
Plus they'd all need checking if they wanted to wander around in dark little corners with their child, or anyone else's.
Infants are released into the care of the parent, line of sight required.
KS2 are escorted to the playgrounds and released there. We also have gates staffed.

[Over40]

My parents all have free access to the classroom. The earliest I have had a child turn up is 8.15 (not joking!). I had a parent the other day imply that I was "off" with her when she asked to speak with me (in private) at 8.55am. In trying to remember the conversation I was probably quiet firm with the "I really can't see you now but would be happy to talk at the end of the day" once I had established it wasn't a "critical issue"! I really try to always have a welcoming atmosphere in the classroom, and have actually been complimented on it in the past, but still managing it at 8.55am when the photocopier is on the blink and you TA in late is a trial!!

Sorry for winge! Most of the parent are absolutly lovely!

[mathanxiety]

My DCs' school runs a before and after school room for children who have to be dropped off early or picked up late. It opens at 7 am (school starts at 8) and closes at 6 pm. You pay per hour, per child, and the cost is reasonable (much less than paying a babysitter for an hour). The school strongly discourages parents from dropping children off before 7:50 am to wait on their own. The school also encourages parents to phone teachers with concerns or send a note. The teachers are very, very good about calling back promptly to discuss matters that arise. Everyone is very well-trained and things go smoothly for the most part.

[Goblinchild]

If you're trying to build independence and responsibility it's not very helpful if Clarabelle's mum always monitors everything she does including hanging up her coat. Nor when Asher's parent spends 30 minutes looking for all the stuff he's lost and you can't get started without Asher.
parents can make morning appointments in our school, from 7.45 to 8.20am. But in advance, not on the day.

[mathanxiety]

I think it does foster independence in the children if the parents aren't faffing around helping. The children also help each other. You can take forgotten items to the office once the school day has started (this is frowned upon) but they have to buzz you in -- the outside doors are all locked.

[overmydeadbody]

Why would you want to go into your DC's classroom? Unless I need to speak to the teacher about something vitally important I would avoid going into the school building, let alone the classroom, it's crouded enough with all the kids and staff.

[SE13Mummy]

I usually teach Y5/6 and can't imagine why parents would feel they need free access to my classroom. They are always welcome to talk to me in the playground before/after school and can make an appointment to meet me if they want to talk more formally. If children want to show their parents a piece of work or something on display I can arrange a viewing immediately on most occasions but general hanging around/supervising the hanging up of coats/ seeing who's sitting where that morning/slowing down my class's morning routine would not get the day off to a good start.

Oh, and I lock my classroom when I'm not in it thus preventing any snooping/relocation of children's belongings/scary parents appearing without warning (and yes, I'm talking parents we've taken out injunctions against)/other teachers 'borrowing' my personal resources (bought with my money).

[kitkatsforbreakfast]

One of the reasons we moved ds1 from his school was because there was no free access to the classrooms in the mornings or afternoons, even in Reception. He was only just 4 when he started Reception and not mature enough to cope with the chaos of cloakrooms, finding his stuff, putting it away in the right places etc. He also felt like he was being 'sent away' from us to somewhere totally alien.

It was horrible, and imo, totally inappropriate for his age.

I know that it can be disruptive at the start of the year and a teacher may need to start being more firm as time goes on, but I really feel that teachers need to be more resonsive to the needs of children sometimes.

And yes, I am a foundation/KS1 teacher.

[choosyfloosy]

We have pretty free access at ds's school. I am very admiring but find it odd and am too scared to go in much - am always expecting ds's teacher to put her foot down - it must extend her working day by at least half an hour. If I were a teacher ( at the thought) I would double lock the door until 8.59 and insist that all parents stayed in the rain throughout. Thank goodness ds's teacher is not like me. I sometimes think she must actually like children.

I also keep forgetting to kiss ds goodbye - he is normally in the classroom and into his day by the time dh or i pant up with his reading folder. I feel bad when I see all the other parents giving loving goodbyes to their small ones and occasioanlly force myself to trespass in the classroom in the same way, but I think ds knows my heart is not in it. A classroom is a sacred space to me.

[kitkatsforbreakfast]

teamedward - you're right about the late ones that just disrupt things, they drive me mad (as a teacher and as a parent). I just felt so sorry for my ds that there was no flexibility at his school at all, after the settling in period in Reception had finished, parents were banned unless there was a dire need. It may have been fine for some children, but not mine. Even now, in Year 3 he likes me to go into the classroom once or twice a week, not for any specific reason, but just so that there is a connection between home and school I think. Luckily, he has a lovely teacher who has no problem with this at all (and I'm always out before lessons start)

[mazzystartled]

I don't think parents should be allowed in AT ALL, once the settling in to reception has happened.

[mathanxiety]

Teamedward.

[Feenie]

Do you teach part time then, kitkatsforbreakfast?

[mrz]

We previously allowed parents to come into school at the beginning and end of the day (other times they had to report to the secretary) but have been told this is a safeguarding issue (OFSTED) and parents should not be allowed in school at all unless they sign in at the reception desk. So much for working with parents ...

[2boys2]

At my ds1 school i feel they have got it right.

Reception have a separate entrance to the rest of the school and parents are allowed in to sort them out i.e hang coat, bookbag in draw, settle them onto the carpet etc.

Approx May time the parents are then not allowed in the classroom so the children have to become more independent and for the last half term of the year they join the bigger children and go through the main entrance as preparation for year one (although its normally the parents who need the preparation!!).

On the gate of the main entrance they have the two family support/learning mentors for the school to write down messages for the teachers.

At the end of the day reception come out of their own entrance 5mins before the main school so parents have chance to get round to the other entrance. The teachers then bring their class out and the pupils stay with the teacher until a parent is spotted.

Does your school have a parent forum - NOT PTA? We do, and its a meeting that the parents throughout the school can attend to ask questions or give ideas on how things could be improved. Our school changed their reception entrance policy due to this

[kitkatsforbreakfast]

Feenie - yes, I do.

I also don't think you can possibly get the best out of young children unless you have an understanding of their life outside the classroom. Up until the moment children start school their biggest influence in life is their home. I think it is arrogant of teachers to assume that they can do their jobs to the highest possible standard without having a thorough knowledge of that home life. It influences enormously.

Also, as a teacher, and a parent, I think it is useful sometimes to be able to hear/say that X might be a bit off that day because they were woken in the night by the baby, or that they had a bit of a wobble on the way to school in the morning because they were worried about changing for PE or something. ie the little things that are not necessarily worth writing a note to the teacher about, but which give the teacher a fuller picture of where the child is coming from on a particular day.

tbh, I'm really surprised that some people think that, after the settling in period, parents shouldn't be allowed into classrooms at all.

[mazzystartled]

Ah, well what I mean by not letting them in stands - our classes are met at the door by their teacher and/or teaching assistants - messages can easily be passed on. And teachers at our school will always find time for a quick chat at the end of the day if needed (by parent or teacher).

But parents certainly shouldn't be allowed into class after the school day has started, or before it ends, and I think loads of parents hanging around would be a major hindrance. Imagine having to chivvy all of them out.

[mazzystartled]

I'm a parent btw, not a teacher.

[smee]

Ours line up outside and teacher comes and fetches them. They walk down the line to say hello to everyone before they take the kids in, which is a good way to touch base. End of day the kids are let out one by one as parents turn up. But it is flexible, so if your child's having a wobble you can go in with them and help them settle. Also they have a rule that if you want to see the teacher so long as you wait until the kids are all picked up, the teacher will stay about until 4.15 for a chat if you need it. Seems to be a good mix of easy access, but no chaos!

[Feenie]

"Also, as a teacher, and a parent, I think it is useful sometimes to be able to hear/say that X might be a bit off that day because they were woken in the night by the baby, or that they had a bit of a wobble on the way to school in the morning because they were worried about changing for PE or something. ie the little things that are not necessarily worth writing a note to the teacher about, but which give the teacher a fuller picture of where the child is coming from on a particular day"

I agree. But I can hear all that when I collect my class from the playground.