Having Problems with Kindergarten Teacher

Sounds like you may need to switch teachers. I worked in kindergarten for many years and I think you really would do better if you could find a more friendly/helpful teacher.

After reading through a few responses, I have to agree with many of the parents, I'd discuss the matter with the teacher and if that becomes uncomfortable or you feel as though it is more of a conflict rather than a positive outcome, then voice your concerns to the principal. I noted that you had already done so. I am a licensed childcare provider, so I can see your concerns from both points of view, it is always best to keep in mind that teachers and caregivers have a large number of children to care for, not to dismiss her responsibility, I think the chicken nugget deal could have been a 'possible miscalculation' on the school's behalf, as someone else has mentioned. But in MY opinion, as a mom and provider, there is NO REASON for your child's teacher not taking the repsonsibility to get your child down to the cafeteria for breakfast. We all know this is one of the most important meals of the day. I think that your child's teacher should be sticking to the importance of this. After all, your child cannot be expected to do these things on her own. As for her face being dirty, I like your suggestion for teaching her to wash up herself, I try to teach my children here in my program to wash up after themselves, it is hard to be sure that all 12 children's faces are clean and that all of their teeth have been brushed. After each child has had a chance for bathroom time, I then check to be sure that they cleaned themselves up sufficiently and give help and assistance if it is needed.

I hope your letter to the principal works out. I certainly hope everything gets better. It's got to be hard to send your child to kindergarten in general, especially when you know she dislikes it. My son just turned two and I am both looking forward to, and dreading his first day of school. Please keep me updated on the status of these issues. I am interested, as a parent, to see how it is dealt with and handled.

Kind Regards,
Savannah

B. I think you should complain to the school because if you don't then no changes are made. It is sad that you should feel bad about complaining. These teachers get paid very well and our taxes pay them. They get wage increases wether or not they do a good job so we need to make sure they are doing a good job. I have huge problems with my daughters teacher I try only to complain about the big things. What it boils down to at her school is one teacher for 24 kids. She does not have a teachers assistant and I am going to raise some cain about this. I feel that by "complaining " I can help other mom's be less disappointed about their daughters kindergarten experience.

B.,
I feel so bad, that's not right. I know that sometimes they do run low on food, I used to work in school food program. Sometimes teacher's don't give the right count so the ladies in the kitchen know how many portions to make. As for her teacher, that's not right. Is there more than one kindergarden room? In our school there is 2 and they alternate days. If so maybe request another teacher, if not see the principle and have a friendly chat with her. Good luck

I have worked as a kindergarten teacher for many years. This post is not about the food; is about the teacher's attitude. Kindergarten is a very special and tender age; for some children is the very first exposure to school. Kindergarten teachers should be very friendly, nurturing and patient (not only with children but also with parents). It is a job in which you can get burned out very easily.
While it is true that during the first days the teacher has to remember names (and wants her lunch break, too) she also has to be kind and loving and friendly to reassure the children.
I am not that much concerned about the food issue during these first weeks. I know that money is tight, but if you don't want the teacher to have a negative attitude towards you, I would pack a snack/sandwich for my daughter for the first week or two and explain to her that until things get on a roll at school, that she may eat her snack/sandwich for breakfast or lunch. And when she comes home I would ask her how was her school day and how was Mrs. X. After a few days I would push the food issue.
If your daughter's teacher is not kind/loving/patient/nurturing/et all, she has no business being a kindergarten teacher. She should go to junior high :)
If there is more than one class you could request a transfer.
Good luck to you. Give it a couple of days and see if it all works out.

Hello B. h.

From my experiences with teachers. If by talking to them after a few touch bases with them. Go to the office. If this does not work then go to the super intendent. If this does not work then mention you will go over thier heads. This seems to work with out having to do so.

Your child is your first priority. No one else is looking out for her except you from the way you are talking. The teacher should not be there if she is not there for the students. A down to earth teacher is one who will get down on the floor with them, bend and break to help each child with out a complaint, get down to earth one on one level....

The breakfast and lunch menus are there for a reason whether they are free or not. That may be the teachers problem. There are some out there who do not care to respond to those of in more of a need, needy situation. Free breakfast / lunch program.... Again if this is the case the teacher should not be there.

The office may not know of the actions this teacher is pulling on students / parents. Your child may not be the only one she is neglecting. Go to the office and if this does not work then go over her head. When you mention of going to the state the respond quickly then there afterwards.

Have a get day,
S. f.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I just had a child start Kindergarten myself. If I were you I would voice my concerns to the principle. You may look like the annoying parent but your child should not be coming home hungry.

Hi B.-

I used to be a kindergarten teacher, so I can see this from both points of view. I worked in a school where 90% of the students qualified for free/reduced lunch. The truth is, sometimes the cafeteria staff does not anticipate the school's needs, and there truly is not enough of one lunch for all of the children to eat the same thing. I would guess that being the first day, maybe they just need to work out the kinks. Maybe a lot of other kids were just as excited about chicken nuggets. They are popular! That being said, your child should still have received a healthy lunch. As for her not getting breakfast, that is very sad and I feel so bad for your daughter and I understand your pain as a mother. Make sure to empower your daughter and tell her to speak up about going down for breakfast.

Is their an aide or assistant in your child's classroom? If so, try talking to this person. The more people you remind, the better the chances of someone remembering. Or try pinning a note on your daughter's shirt with the teacher's name on the front and remind her to feed your daughter breakfast.

It's unfortunate that all kindergarten teachers are not warm and fuzzy. I, too was puzzled by this. I worked with one in particular who sounds just like your daughter's teacher. Try to talk to her. If you feel comfortable enough, explain that money is tight right now and that you need a little bit of warning for extra expenses. A good teacher would anticipate your needs.

Give this teacher a shot. If all else fails, go to the principal and explain your concerns. Maybe the principal could talk to the teacher, or in an extreme case, perhaps there's another classroom for your daughter. You are your child's number one advocate. If you don't look out for her, no one will. Don't feel bad about wanting what's best for her. Good luck. Lots of hugs.

-L.

B. -

You need to talk to the principal right away. The teachers should be guiding these K kids every step of the way. In fact, much of Kindergarten is learning how to listen, walk in a line, follow rules and routine. You should be able to know with confidence that your kids is eating two meals at school, and getting a bathroom break, and someone to show her how to clean up after eating. This situation is very out of the ordinary, I think. Follow your gut, and good luck!

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about you experince. I would be upset also. The teacher should have a list made to see what children go for breckfast each morning. I seen that you are currently looking for work. Maybe you can drop your daughter off at school and have breckfast with her for the first few weeks. I don't understand how a Teacher cannot comprehend how important breckfast is for any human being. I understand we all make mistakes and can be forgetful, but to not apoligize or make you feel more at ease, not very thoughtful at all.
If this contuines, I would write her a letter or schdule a meeting with her to discuss your concerns. Journal your conversations becaues maybe down the road you might want to switch teachers or schools and then you have a journal on hand of your reasons why.
That teacher has your most precious gift everyday, and she needs to be a positive influnce and good role model, and as a mother always follow your gut instinct.
Hope that helps!!

Hi B.,

You should talk to the principal right away about your concerns and make sure he/she is aware of any potential issues. Heshe may be able to supervise at lunch or breakfast to make sure your little girl is eating. I had to to that too as my daughter just didn't eat unless someone sat there and told her to eat.

Anyway, I hope that gives you some idea, and encouragement. What school is this? Also, what line of work are you looking for? I know a lot of great people and maybe I can help.

Take care!
M.

Hi B.,

As a mom and as a teacher I wanted to reply to your request. First, I know as a mom that things can be tough- and very exciting to be sending your child to kindergarten. I can't wait until mine is that age! Please remember that your kinder teacher is just trying to master everyones' name right now and it will take a few days. She should be sending her down to breakfast- and hopefully that mistake won't happen again. However, please also keep in mind that for most teachers- lunch is her break time. This means that she is not there (and shouldn't be) when dealing with getting kids lunches etc. There should be plenty of staff (paras and cafeteria staff to help children.) I think that you have a right to be angry that things didn't go as planned with your child... but perhaps remember that the first day of school is always a bit chaotic and that it is not the teacher's fault for everything. Perhaps speaking with the cafeteria workers about the food (sometimes it takes a day or two to figure out how much of each lunch supply is needed.) might be a good idea. Or give the teacher and staff a couple of days and reevaluate to see if things iron out themselves.

Good luck with the school year. I hope your daughter enjoys kindergarten. It is so much fun!

Mom and teacher,
A.

I'm a mom of a 1st grader.

You could ask the principal how best to make sure your daughter is receiving her meals. You should also talk to your daughter about asking for things: where do I get breakfast/how do I get chicken nuggets/is my face clean, etc. The first few days are frightening in school, but she should grow in independence & confidence very quickly if coached

You want your daughter to have a good kindergarten experience, so do what you can to make sure she's fed properly...but also do what you can to make it seem like a glitch that everyone can work together to solve--and not convey that she has a "bad teacher" or is "falling through the cracks"...at least not on day 2!

Good luck to both of you! you sound like a very caring mom.

Hi B.,

I myself have a little girl who started kindergarten today. I know how you feel about the eating issue. This is what I would suggest you do if possible. I know you mentioned money being tight and really wanting her to eat breakfast at school, I think that would be the ideal solution for many moms but the issue with these little ones is that they don't eat until they are being watched and told to eat either this or that or two more bites of this or finish that and you can get down. So, if at all possible, I'd buy some eggs and maybe bacon/sausage and just make scrambled eggs and sausage/bacon for her breakfast, this way she gets the protein and fat that she needs to carry her over until lunch. It doesn't have to be eggs and bacon, but I would suggest you feed her breakfast in the morning, something with protein because it will give that lasting feeling of being full.

Here's another option, I've asked my daughters teacher if I could come to the school and eat lunch with my daughter and also bring my other 2 year old daughter to lunch as well and she said yes. That all that I would need to do would be to call in the morning to the secretary of the school and let them know that I would be eating lunch with my daughter so they would have enough food cooked. This is another option for you until you find a job, you could plan to go to the school and eat breakfast with her or just sit with her while she eats her breakfast and then come back if it's not to far for lunch and eat lunch with her. She'd love it and you could get an idea how the system works. I did this today, we live within walking distance to my daughters elementary school, so we walked there around lunch time and I was able to see how the lunch system works and what they were serving, where my daughter was sitting, and then I even joined her for recess which was cool. I don't plan on doing this everyday, but at least once a week!!

good luck with this and remember ask questions!

One more thing, I have tried to enable my daughter by giving her situations that might not turn out the way they should and giving her some solutions. For example, she knows she is suppose to raise her hand and ask to go to the bathroom but I've told her that if she needs to go to the bathroom and she has her hand raised but the teacher is not calling on her then she has my permission to speak out and say, "Teacher I need to go to the bathroom now or I'll have an accident!" We have also told her not to wait until the last minutes before she raises her hand and have also decided to put an extra set of underwear in her backpack just in case she wets in her pants a little which she sometimes does, don't get me wrong, she is potty trained but you know how it is when they get excited and don't want to take time out to go to the restauroom.

Good luck,

K.

B.:
The best thing I have found if there is an issue at school is talk with the principle. They always seem to be willing to help and listen, the principle is there not only for the children, but you too.

I know you said you are looking to get back to work. I do have a business opportunity to offer you with Partylite if you would like to work for yourself and set your own hours. Partylite is a home show business and is all about families. If you would like more information about it please let me know and I would love to give you the information.

Good luck with the teacher and I hope things get better for you.

I'd talk to the principal. I have enough trouble getting my daughter to go to school so you don't want to make it any harder then it could be. I have twins that will be in kindergarden next year and that would be totally unacceptable. I think you have every right to be pissed.