Hi there-
My 4 year old daughter currently attends a 3-yr old program at a local Preschool. We were given registration forms for the 4 yr old program at the end of February and were told that we needed to return them by next week. I am looking at several different Preschools, and have no intention of having my daughter return to this program next year. Just wondering if anyone else has been in this situation and how they informed the Preschool Director/Teacher that they would not be registering for the next year. I have a few "issues" with the current program, one of which is the director's attitude and overall demeanor. I also feel that the program is not challenging enough for my daughter. There are only 7 children in her class, and I know of at least 2 other parents who will also not be registering for next year. I want to be honest with the director, but fear that my child will be treated differently as a result. I also think that once the director, who is also the teacher, sees that several families have chosen not to return the entire class will be treated differently. I would hate for the kids to suffer for the next few months. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you all so much for all the great advice! I was approached by the director on Tuesday and asked if I would need a spot for next year. I responded very matter of factly "No, thank you. We are registering at the church preschool since this is where my daughter is likely to go to Kindergarten. We feel that this will make for a nice transition. I also plan to write a letter to send after this school year is complete to outline my observations, both positive and negative. I'm not comfortable just letting it go. I think about the little ones for next year's class and want to do what I can to help...for whatever it's worth. Thanks again for all your kind words of encouragement and helpfullness!
I would just let it ride...it really isn't worth it...I was in a similar situation, but just found another preschool and am much happier.
I agree with just saying we will not be coming back next year. I also understand why you might not want to say anything negative about why you are chosing to leave because of ramifications towards your daughter. But if they ask you why, you could just say we appreciate all your help during my daughter's time with you and your teachers but we have decided to take another path. If they don't ask, then on the final day at pick up either verbalize your concerns or write her a letter. It might be passive aggressive but hey, you are not going back there next year anyway why stress yourself out?
I agree that you don't have to give an explanation. just a simple "we will not return for the next term" will do.
If you want to give input, I would encourage it. It's hard for people to change if they not know what's wrong. I actually think once she realizes that her attitude is costing her business, she might actually shape up and treat the other kids better in the future.
Good luck!
Personally I don't feel you need to give an explanation. If the program is not meeting your needs then find one that does. You do not owe the director an explanation. You obviously have different expectations from the program and if this program does not live up to those expectations then find one that does. I am sure she is only asking for the re-enrollment forms to give the current enrollees preference before she opens enrollment to new students. She is not looking for feedback on how she is doing. She is never going to please everyone and if she is pleasing 4 out of 7 then that might be good enough for her.
As for challenging...I feel preschool is more about socialization. It is not supposed to be education driven. I feel it is my job to lay the foundation for education in the home while it is the preschool teacher's job to give my child the social skills they will need to excel.
If you need to return the form simply state that you will not be returning without comment. I am sure you're not the first nor last to not reenroll. I am sure the teacher will continue to be professional and not treat her any differently.
I just have a little different perspective. I am a board member for a non-profit private school. When the end of the year rolls around, we really want to know the reasons they are leaving so we can try to improve. Only a handful of children in the class is a fine reason to tell the director. So is the academic concerns you have with the school. Those can all be used to help the school in the future. Our school does a written exit interview. The parents can share their reasons for leaving anonymously.
S.
HI there. I used to be a director of a preschool and I can say that under no circumstance would a child be treated differently because they have chosen not to re-enroll in my building. If anything, I would think that they would strive to work harder in order to get you to change your mind. Especially if there are only 7 children.... they really need your enrollment. I, personally, would have a hard time going to her and stating my greivences, but on the other hand, once she gets past the let down of what you have to say Im sure they will use it to improve their program. Sometimes management may not see what the parents see, and it would be a good thing to bring it to their attention. Of course you don't want to be the squeakly wheel always in her office, but when parents came to me with an issue immediate action was taken to correct it. You wouldn't believe some of the people that are out there in the world, and I am pretty sure I had one of those people that was just mad at the world and taking it out on our center... but I assure you that child was never treated any differently then the rest, and we took all of her concerns to heart and made improvement where they could be made. Good luck with whatever you decide.
I agree that you should not give a reason until your daughter's last day, but I wonder if the situation is as unprofessional there as you say ("my child will be treated differently", "the entire class will be treated differently", "for the kids to suffer for the next few months") why you still have your daughter there now? No reputable preschool is going to punish or treat a child differently because they are going to be leaving in a few months. If you are this concerned about the preschool, I'd pull your child immediately.
If you aren't really that concerned, I'd address your concerns to the school's board of directors in the form of a letter after your daughter is withdrawn. If the director is as unhelpful as you say she or he is, it is unlikely that your comments are going to make much difference there.
You know you're not going back. You know you don't want the teacher to be weird to your daughter. It doesn't sound like you want to report this woman and fight her in an effort to change the program.
Just state your daughter will not be returning and put no explanation-or uses a different one that is not related, like scheduling etc. After your daughter leaves, you can write your honest impressions in a letter or talk to the director the last day.
I agree with the others; if you honestly feel that your child will be singled out or neglected, just blame the economy or something till the last day. Then express your true reasons in a letter or private talk.
It seems like you really want to tell this woman what you think of her and her style. I'd caution you that that type of complaint usually goes unheeded. If it is too personal, she'll likely write it off. Instead, focus on the positives that your child will be receiving at the other pre-school. That way she can see where her classroom is coming up short.
Only if she ask.. why not returning.. something along the lines of finances unsure about the economy..
Just tell her "Our situation has changed and we will not be enrolling our daughter next year." That should be the end of the discussion with her. You don't owe her anymore of an explanation.
You can choose to tell her why or not to. It's not an easy thing to do. I had to end daycare due to several issues and once I gave 2 weeks notice my son's care became very poor. They didn't check him when he went #2 and ended up w/stained underwear and a severe rash. He was barely 3 when this happened and still can't wipe completely on his own and get it all. I brought it up the first day it happened (day 3 after giving notice). The owner/director was very rude to me. It happened the next day again, I was so furious I couldn't even say anything. (I would have him go potty before we left the center). We didn't finish our 2 weeks notice and she wouldn't talk to us when we called to finalize the last week that they didn't go.
Hopefully this person isn't like that but at some point whether now or when your daughter is done there, she should be given the courtesy of knowing why you aren't re-enrolling so she does have the opportunity to make corrections going forward. With my situation, they didn't care and I will never recommend that center to anyone. Be prepared to start your search now for a new preschool so you can have time to do your homework/research and to possibly switch sooner. Check your agreement too to see how many weeks notice you have to give.
I would encourage you to be honest with your concerns in a constructive manner if possible, no school likes to loose students. Last year several children from my daughter's pre-school class left over similar issues mid-year. It ended up having a very positive impact for those of use who stayed. The school made some very strong changes in the program. And they treated the kids who left well as they transistioned out.
If you feel that there are issues... why not try to change them now? Maybe there are things that they can do to improve the program or maybe your daughter should be in a different class if she is not being challenged.
If they ask you about re enrolling, just let them know that you aren't ready to commit to next year yet and leave it at that.
Since your child is now 4 yrs. old she should be eligible for your local elementary school Pre-K program. Tell the Director you are enrolling her in the public school program in the Fall so she can start making friends and get established in her Elementary school. It's closer, it's more convenient, her best friend is going and she really wants to go, any reason besides "we don't like your program" should keep them from being upset about it.
We loved K's 3 yr. old teachers, she brought something home nearly every day, crafts, paintings, worksheets, etc.... When the time came to consider what to do next I talked to a friend of mine who is an elementary school teacher, she usually teaches the Pre-K program but is now co-teache\ing 3rd grade, and she told me we should go ahead with Pre-K instead because it focus' more on the things needed for Kindergarten. Even after talking to her we talked about all our options and decided to go with the 4 yr. old program. We regretted it almost every day. The Director should really expect to lose about 40% of her kids to Pre-K.
Don't tell the director until you have decided. 3-4 months is a long time ahead. It's preschool, so you shouldn't have a problem taking the kid out. I was sending mine to an expensive school and they began having high turnaround and his favorite teacher left, so I end up writing a letter stating my reason. I would not however, mention your real reason, just find the best one without a lot of details.
You can wait until the term ends to say something. It may be good for her to hear.
I would like to caution you about looking for "challenge" in a preschool program. Preschool is not supposed to be about challenge or academics. Preschool should be about a nurturing environment where the children "learn" through structured play and socialization. They develop the skills there that are necessary to go to the next level: taking turns, respecting teacher, respecting others, etc. I have actually read that when you see that a program is academic you should run the other way. Current research supports that this is not the correct approach for young children.
It sounds to me like your current program is a small one because of the fact the director is a teacher. I would maybe look for a bigger and more established program, preferably one that is accredited.
