have a query - any teachers or headteachers able to help?

meritaten

I pick my grandson up from nursery/reception 2 - 3 days a week and have noticed that the class teacher Mrs A hasnt been around for some weeks now and that its been Mrs B who has greeted/let the class out.
they had letters today and the class teacher is noted as Mrs A and Mrs B is just a Teaching Assistant.

mum told me that Mrs A is on extended leave as her OH is very ill.
I am puzzled - The only other qualified teacher in that block is ALWAYS with the reception class and Mrs B seems to be in charge of the nursery class (my GSs class).

Surely, if the teacher is on extended leave then they should have a qualified supply teacher?????? how long exactly would this go on?

mum mentioned that Mrs A has indicated that she may be away from work for some time (mum knows her). Mum thinks that Mrs B is a qualified teacher - BUT she is listed as a Teaching Assistant! so, yes I am a bit confused. If she is paid as a TA surely her contract or Ofsted regs preclude her actually teaching the class?
can anyone set me straight on this?

DirtyDick

A lot of schools blur the lines, using unqualified 'cover supervisors' to cover absences or (in small primary schools) to cover teachers' preparation time during the school day, because it is a lot cheaper. Others work sometimes entirely independently with small groups, but under the direction of the teacher.

Importantly, however, TAs are not allowed to plan lessons, so presumably they would be working to a teacher's instructions (otherwise the children are not receiving a 'proper' education). I'm not even certain that they can ordinarily register a class, but it could be she is just doing the meet and greet and working under the direction of the Head or another experienced teacher during the remainder of the day.

TAs are not meant to be used to cover for extended known absences, and they're not paid to do it, but could well be the case in a smaller school with younger children.

kingfisherblue

Occasionally, unqualified teachers take classes - most schools don't employ them, but it is possible.

As for TAs, there are different levels and level 4 TAs (also known as HLTAs) can plan for and take classes - although they should not take the place of a teacher in the longer term.

Schools, like everyone else, have budget restraints and supply teachers are expensive - they receive a higher daily rate of pay as ordinarily they do not get sick pay or holiday pay (longer term supply can be employed at a lower rate and receive these benefits though).

I think I would be asking if my child was happy and if he was learning. I would possibly contact the school to find out what their long term plans are. Mrs A might not have told the school that she plans on being absent from work for a greater length of time.

cte1111

I think as it's the nursery class that you are talking about, then it's possible that Mrs B is a nursery nurse so qualified to take charge of children who are under school age without a qualified teacher. Nurseries outside schools would not require carers to be qualified teachers so think the same applies here.

boltonangel

Hi

You mentioned that your Grandson is in the Nursery or Pre School class.

I am not a Teacher, just a parent but I always thought that pre school children didn't need a qualified teacher as such and it wasn't until reception class that this is required.

My ds is at nursery but is old enough for pre school and his nursery 'teachers' aren't teachers but Nursery Nurses.

Also, when we looked around the local primary school the pre school room was managed and taught by a local mum who had trained in child studies.

I don't meant to come across rude and will wait to stand corrected.

bigmomma051204

Hi - if your GS is in Reception year then he should be taught by a qualified teached... If he is in a nursery class (ie pre school reception age) then in theory anyone really could be taking the class as long as they have a qualification of some kind in Early Years/Teaching Asst qualification! Before Year 1 in schools, they dont teach National Curriculum, they use EYFS (early years foundation stage) which is used by every childcare provider for under 5's. So in fact, although all teachers of reception class i have ever met have been qualified teachers, actually anyone with a qualification in EYFS could teach up to Year One....

Its a bit of a grey area really but if he is only nursery age dont worry! The TA will probably be just as able to use the EYFS to help ur GS develop ready for reception

If you are really bothered, why not ask Mum to ask the school whats going on?

meritaten

The rules do seem to be a confused dont they? rather like me!
Mrs A told my mum that she expects to be off work for months to see her OH through his treatment. I should think that she has told the school this?
yes, GS is in nursery - he is four but with an october birthday so just missed out on being in reception.
You all really want to see the curriculum the parents got for the nursery kids today - in my view it needs a qualified teacher to oversee that.
3D representations of shapes?
writing about family pets
chinese culture and writing chinese symbols
thats only three of about 50 or more 'goals' for the class!
I aint sure whether the curriculum is totally daft - or given the right teacher the kids would love it! confused again!
the school confuses matters even more by integrating 'rising threes' into nursery! not sure what that means!
I think that if the nursery group is working to a curriculum - then they SHOULD have a qualifed teacher - NOT a Teaching Assistant - in charge.

meritaten

The reason I am really concerned? because when Mrs A was there GS loved school and couldnt wait to get there. since Mrs B has been 'in charge' he has been in trouble, he says that he doesnt like her - I pick him up and I have issues with her too - I seem to wear a 'cloak of invisibility' doesnt matter how near her I stand - she ALWAYS calls my GS near to last to come out. she stopped GS having break with the other kids cos he accidentally knocked over his friends milk and she made him have his milk and biscuits on the floor - for a week! HE ISNT A BLUDDY DOG! his mum hit the roof over that!
she also didnt give him an important form to fill in to register for next year - and claimed she did. I ALWAYS give every letter etc to his parents after I pick him up and so does his other nan.
I find the woman totally unprofessional - and my poor GS is starting to get reluctant to go to school.
my DIL relies on me and her mum to take and pick up GS - its only rarely that she can do so herself - I dont want to be unfair to the woman and was wondering if my dislike of her was colouring my view of whether she is QUALIFIED to teach the class.

rachbc

meritaten wrote: »

I think that if the nursery group is working to a curriculum - then they SHOULD have a qualifed teacher - NOT a Teaching Assistant - in charge.

Early Years goals are now in place in all childcare settings even from little babies, your GS will be in the Foundation Stage (3- reception) an therefore there is no legal requirement for him to be taught by a teacher but by an appropriately qualified Early Years Pracitioner - which the TA may well be.

My son did go to a school where the nursery class were taught by a teacher but I believe this is the exception rather than the rule - DD's pre school was staffed by 'nursery nurses' and they delivered the full EY curriculum very well.

bylromarha

A lot of nursery classes integrated into infant/primary schools have a foundation stage co-ordinator who is the qualified teacher responsible for planning the lessons taught in both nursery and reception. The delivery of the lessons can be done by a person who has appropriate early years qualifications ( a teacher, a nursery nurse, a teaching assistant with a higher level of qualification (often called an HLTA)

Most head teachers will want parents onside if a teacher is off sick long term. Find out who the Foundation Stage co-ordinator is and ask if mum can make an appointment to see them to clarify the long term teaching arrangements of the class and raise the concerns regarding the unhappiness of your grandson about Mrs B.

thegirlintheattic

As it is a nursery class you don't need a qualified teacher just a nursery nurse - so there is no issue with Mrs B taking the class even though she is called a TA. I would be glad my GS was being taught by someone he knows and who knows him rather than a supply teacher who might leave at short notice. A HLTA would also be qualified to cover - they do extensive training to be allowed to do this.

If you are concerned talk to the head.