Do you feel that your preschool shuts parents out?

[Anonymous]

This is our first experience with preschool, and I feel that my preschool shuts parents out, and it's starting to really bother me. First issue is the carpool line, where I never get to see my child's classroom because teachers take the kids out of the car and walk them into the school, same with pickup. Next issue is there are limited opportunities to socialize with other preschool parents because there are very few school events (not even one per month). I don't know any of the other parents in my child's class because I never see anyone at pickup or dropoff or events.

Each class has room parents, but I have not yet gotten any communication from ours and there have been no class events. T

Third issue is that I haven't seen my child's classroom since back to school night the first week of school. I don't get to see the special bulletin board projects they do, etc. because parents aren't welcome in the classrooms at any time.

Fourth, while the teachers are responsive via email, teacher conferences aren't until December and the teachers aren't willing to discuss more substantive issues by email, they say wait until teacher conferences. I was super excited about this school at first, and I do love the curriculum but now my enthusiasm has considerably waned and I feel that the school is shutting parents out. Anyone also feel the same about their school or have any thoughts to share?

[Anonymous]

OP, you posted about this before, right?

While carpool sounds convenient, the general separation of parents from the classroom would bother me. Our preschool is just the opposite -- they are extraordinarily welcoming.

[Anonymous]

I meant to add that this is clearly going to bother you moving forward, so I would look for a new place for your daughter. It would bother me too.

Now that you have a little experience, you'll have a better idea what to look for/what's important to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, you posted about this before, right?

While carpool sounds convenient, the general separation of parents from the classroom would bother me. Our preschool is just the opposite -- they are extraordinarily welcoming.

Can you explain how they are welcoming? I don't get a welcoming vibe at all from our preschool. I need to know what to look for when we look for a new preschool.

[Anonymous]

If this is still bothering you, find a new preschool. If shouldn't cause this much angst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If this is still bothering you, find a new preschool. If shouldn't cause this much angst.

Finding a new preschool is a lot of work. I toured 15 different preschools before, and wasn't impressed with any of them.

[Anonymous]

yes, that would bother me. my child's preschools had an open door policy after the first few weeks and gave regular feedback.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is still bothering you, find a new preschool. If shouldn't cause this much angst.

Finding a new preschool is a lot of work. I toured 15 different preschools before, and wasn't impressed with any of them.

Where do you live?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I really wanted to love this preschool, it was my number one favorite after all my research, but after 2 months there I feel shut out of the classroom/what my child is doing, haven't received any real feedback about how my child is doing (I think waiting until December teacher conferences is ridiculous), and have not really socialized with anyone, because there is no way to socialize because of that awful carpool line. I'm not sure how to go about finding more welcoming preschools. We're in NoVa if anyone can recommend any.

Here's what I'm looking for:

-preschool with no carpool line/I want to walk my child to the classroom and pick her up there.
-Active PTA/active room parents who plan lots of activities, both for the class and the whole school (i.e. I prefer a social preschool)
-Once in awhile opportunities to see my child during the day (like maybe where parents are invited to a few school programs)
-Regular feedback about how my child is doing
-Ability to volunteer in the classroom or at the school occasionally

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is still bothering you, find a new preschool. If shouldn't cause this much angst.

Finding a new preschool is a lot of work. I toured 15 different preschools before, and wasn't impressed with any of them.

Where do you live?

Chantilly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If this is still bothering you, find a new preschool. If shouldn't cause this much angst.

Finding a new preschool is a lot of work. I toured 15 different preschools before, and wasn't impressed with any of them.

Then you'll never be satisfied. Hope you're not married

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Here's what I'm looking for:

-preschool with no carpool line/I want to walk my child to the classroom and pick her up there.
-Active PTA/active room parents who plan lots of activities, both for the class and the whole school (i.e. I prefer a social preschool)
-Once in awhile opportunities to see my child during the day (like maybe where parents are invited to a few school programs)
-Regular feedback about how my child is doing
-Ability to volunteer in the classroom or at the school occasionally

This is not what room parents do. If you want to get to know the the other families at your child's school, invite them over to your house or suggest a meet up at a park.

BTW, I also don't think you're going to be happy with any preschool and it's only going to get worse once your child goes to ES.

[Anonymous]

Can you find a co-op? That seems like it would be a good fit for you.

[Anonymous]

Op you are overthinking this. It is preschool. All your kid is doing is playing with other kids and getting use to being in a class room. The problem is your expectations, not the school.

[Anonymous]

Agree with PP. You are looking for a co-op.