Should I Switch School?

Updated on January 30, 2008
C.H. asks from Lawrenceville, GA
7 answers

Hi Everyone,

I have two children - 3 1/2 and 14 months. My son has gone to the same school since he was 12 weeks old and my daughter started with 5 months.

Here is my dilemma. I am very happy with the infant room teachers, they have been there for over 10 years and are great with the kids. The 1-2 year old room had a bit of turnover and the 2-3 year old has a supergreat teacher. My son is since September last year in the early 3 class - he loves his teacher. Now his teacher is leaving and he doesn't like the main teacher of the older 3 room. He never said that he doesn't like anyone and I can't get out of him why he doesn't like the teacher.

I got to say that he learned a lot with his current teacher and the school is SACS accredited, now we don't know who is going to replace the teacher that left. I also don't know the teacher in the Privte Pre-K - there was quite a bit of turnover in the last year in that room as well. Everytime I get to know a teacher - they are leaving before my son would be in their class...

So I started to tour other daycares but I am just not sure what to do or if he would be happy to be in a new place without his friends. What would you do?

Also what is better SACS or NAEYC (spelling) accreditation?

Please help.
Thanks,
Cory

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So What Happened?

Hello Everyone.

Wanted to give you an update on the whole school switch thing. I know that our children will have to deal with people whom they might not like and all that but we have switched schools and couldn't be any happier. The place cost the same (cost was never an issue - both schools are on the high-end of the scale but cost the same) but the kids have a lot more space and seem to be soooo happy. The teachers are great and really making an effort to make my kids feel home away from home. No matter what time I drop in they do fine (rooms can be seen from the front desk area where they have monitors). All the toys in the babies room that are battery operated are working (unlike at the old place - the owner of the old place just didn't want to invest even in the smallest items - I say that battery operated toys don't have to always work but they should sometimes...I think you get the picture) and so forth. Also as I mentioned before there were a lot more issues....

Well kids have been there for two weeks and are doing well. We never told any of the other parents at the old school that we are switching but I just found out from the admin at the new school that she had quite a few inquiries from parents whose kids go to my kids' old school - they give the same reasons that I had. So that gives me reason to believe that I did the right thing, I am wasn't alone with this feeling that something isn't right ...

Thanks for all your advice.
Cory

More Answers

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J.L.

answers from Atlanta on

I used to work in daycare many many years ago. YOu need to find out why there is such a turnover? Once is okay but multiple times is a litte scary. Accredidation is nice but what qualifications do the teachers have? The reason I left as a teacher was that the owner/manager told every parent that toured our facility that each teacher had a degree in education and that everyone was cerified in CPR. They were not! Ask to see paperwork if in doubt. These are your kids, so ASK. Also, go with your gut instincts as a Mommy. Hope this helps!
Johna

2 moms found this helpful
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S.W.

answers from Atlanta on

okay, not the very same sitution, I know... but my son was very upset when he started preschool this year because he wouldn't have the same teacher he had last year. Had nothing good to say about either of his new teachers or new kids in his class until about a month into it. Now he loves his new teacher even more. Maybe he's just upset about losing his favorite and needs to give someone else a chance? Just a thought... good luck.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Charleston on

I have 4 kids and here's my thoughst: you need to consider more than just the teacher. Cost, location, hours, other child, etc. The teacher is a big deal in that you want your child to love school, be happy learning, be loved and cared for. But you won't like every teacher your children have. They're all different. But maybe there's a great new friend for your son in this new class, and this school knows you and your family. Have you loved every boss you've worked for? What did you do? Quit because of that? No, you figure out how to make it a great circumstance despite some challenges. This is a lesson worth learning early. Not everything goes our way and we don't always get what we want. If there's a legitimate reason that YOU don't like the teacher, then maybe consider switching. Otherwise, he'll be fine in a not-perfect atmosphere for a few months.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi C.,

Our boys go to Primrose of Alpharetta, and we notice the same turnover. Luckily, we've always loved the new teachers. Whenever we had questionable teachers (only twice, and they were assistants) We voiced our concerns to the people in charge, and they always made sure any problems were handled. At one point I was concerned about turnover, and we started looking around as well. I just couldn't find a place that felt the same warmth and love though. I'm sure other places do, but then I just felt guilty, because my boys love their friends, and the teachers, and it was more me concerned about the turnover rate. The other places I visited that were comparable seemed to have the same turnover rate, and it seemed to be a common issue, so we decided to stay. I am really glad I did. It' comforting to know that when we walk in each day and leave, the boys get hugs from everyone and everyone from the front desk, down the hall says hi and really make them feel special. I really love that Primrose is SACs and NAEYC accrediated too. We just went to registration again, and it reminded me how good of program they have.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.M.

answers from Spartanburg on

Do you mind telling me where you are located? I might be able to make a school recommendation. I would not stay in a school with high of turnover rate. Most good schools keep teachers for years unless there are extenuating circumstances. I had my son in a school where the director left. I knew why, and thought it would be OK. Things were not quite right and for some reason teachers kept being shuffled around. He was very unhappy. I am never going to pay an institution to care for my child and have him unhappy all the time. I found out that one day they let him cry almost the entire time - that was the last day he ever attended.

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S.G.

answers from Savannah on

Honestly, unless this teacher is doing something she shouldn't to the kids then I'd leave him right where he is. Your son needs to learn that he isn't going to like everyone he meets and that is ok. Ask yourself this-what are you going to do when he is in 1st grade and tells you he doesn't like his teacher but yet can't tell you why and she does nothing to him for her to be disliked? You can't just change him to a different class room or change his school.

S.
www.shariegraf.scent-team.com

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J.B.

answers from Columbia on

Trust your child. If he doesnt like her, and is not willing to say why, there is a reason. I went through something similar when my son was 4, and it turned out the teacher in question was pinching him real hard. She was seen by another parent and roported, and in turn fired. But from what I was told, she picked him up by his arm and carried him while he was screaming that it hurt. After she was fired, he told me finally about her pinching him all the time on his ear. He may just be scared to tell.

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