do you have regrets about the school your child is at this year?

[Anonymous]

We have our 2 yr old son in a very nuturing program that he seems to enjoy. However there are a few things that make me uncomfortable. The most important issue to me is safety/security on the playground. They have 2 teachers and an assistant teacher who goes between the classrooms(she is there some days on the playground to help). There are about 10 to 12 children in my son's class on any given day. One of the children is developmentally delayed and needs constant help and attention on the playground, another child is still 'transitioning" and screams the entire time they are there. This means that there really isn't much direct supervision of the remaining children on the playground, or as they walk back to their classroom.
I don't feel entirely comfortable leaving him there as I'm afraid something might happen given the lack of supervision. I thought of speaking to the director about it, but I know they are aware of the situation as they have come out to the playground from time to time. I am not the only parent who has noticed the lack of supervision, so I don't think I'm over reacting. I guess my question is what are my options? For the amount of money we are spending(this is not a cheap school) I feel I shouldn't be having these concerns about leaving my child there. I have left him other places that were completely secure and felt fine about it, so I know it's not just that I'm afraid of leaving him in someone else's care. It really is that as more time passes I am seeing that these teachers may not be as competent as I thought they were.
Is my only option to pull him out or just except it? What would you do?

[Anonymous]

I would definitely talk to the director about it. I know that when my child was 2.5 at preschool, I was a little concerned initially, but once I saw the kids playing on the playground, I saw that all was well. If you aren't comfortable, then address it with the school first.

[Anonymous]

Definitely take your concerns to the director and see if they'll do something about it. Perhaps there's someone else who can help supervise. If you're thinking of withdrawing over something like this, which sounds easily fixable, please give them the chance to fix it.

But I do wonder if this supervision issue extends to the classroom. If there are two teachers and two children who require near-constant attention (maybe the screamer calms down inside?), when do the other kids get attention?

[Anonymous]

Op here:
Thanks for the replies. My concern is that, as I mentioned, the director is aware of the situation and I have a feeling that they will tell me that the screaming child will adjust eventually(which I will believe when I see) and I will be left to then imply that the developmentally delayed child is taking away attention from the other children. That feels akward to me as I am positive the director is very aware of her situation and limited abilities(the child can not walk on their own). I feel that the program is not equipped for a child in that situation and that if they are going to accept a child with such severe delays they should have a larger staff. By expressing my concern about this, and how it in turn effects my child and the limited supervision he then receives, I feel she will take this as an attack on her judgement as to which children are indeed ready for her program. But the truth is that it completely chages what would otherwise be a resonable teacher student ratio to one that is not at all, for 2 yr olds. I highly doubt they will hire anyone new as support staff.

[Anonymous]

OP, some other thoughts here. Is there any particular reason why you're worried about the children in the playground? Can the children get out of the area or is it secure? Is the play equipment too large for them, or is it appropriate for their age? I ask because, as the mother of two, I find that regardless of the level of attention you're giving children (even one on one!), you can't prevent ordinary accidents. So if the playground is secure and the equipment appropriate, then the ratio really isn't as critical. (Obviously, you don't want to be in a situation where you feel like your child might fall and no one would even notice).

On the other matters, I suggest that you bring it up with the director in a straightforward fashion (which I think will make her less defensive than if you imply things). How about, "I know how lovely ___ (child) is, but I'm concerned that the level of care she needs means that that other children in the classroom, including my child, are not getting enough attention. What sort of strategies/whatever do you have in place already, and are there other ones that we can brainstorm about together?" If you don't get the answers or, eventually, the action that you need, then yes, you'll probably feel better if you start looking elsewhere.

I do know how horrifying a prospect that is. I've done it a few times [once because we moved, once because I was dissatisfied, once because my daughter was] and I stand on the other side of that terrible process to say that it was the right step, and that we're all much happier.

Last thing. Your initial concern was about the playground, but you later said something like "maybe the teachers aren't as competent as I thought them to be." That is something else entirely, and nothing you've written indicates their incompetence. So I hope that your concern and dissatisfaction with the situation does not transfer into blaming the teachers, who are obviously hoeing a very tough row!