At my daughters preschool, the parents are expected to voulenteer. Last time I stayed, the teacher was on her phone a lot. Talking and texting and not giving the kids as much attention/supervision as I would expect. I talked to the owner/operator about the situation and she informed me she sopke with the employee and to let her know if it seemed better or worse. Since then, the teacher has not been on her phone as much when I have dropped off. Today was another of my voulenteer days to stay. At carpet time, the teacher recieved a phone call from her mother and removed herself from the room for 5 minutes leaving me alone with 14 pre schoolers. I later learned the phone call was of a personal non-emergency nature. Then during work time at the tables, she was on the phone again, with her sister. The whole time she was talking and working with the kids at her table .She was discussing personal stuff, like how her mom ' accused her of drugs when she was working somehwere else'. Not only that, but she was texting a bunch and taking her anger out on the kids. She put some girls in outside timeout when they didnt pick up the toys inside fast enough. One girl was crying and the teacher yelled at her that she needed to stop crying because why she was crying was her own fault. I am going to talk to the owner about this because I am concerned about the kids. But I also feel bad because the teacher is not a bad person, she is just someone who needs to learn to keep her personal life outside of work .I also feel bad because I know she is struggling financially right now and if she gets let go it will be because I said something. I just needed to vent, there isnt anyone else to talk to and I need advice on how to approach the owner with this information. Thanks so much for reading if you got this far!
I should clarify, this is a privately owned preschool thats through the parks and rec department so there is just the owner and her one staff member. I spoke with the owner and she said she would speak with the teacher but I felt like it was sort of a brush off., she said she isnt excusing the behavior but the teacher also has not had ' 20 years of experience'. In my opinion, it doesnt take experience to know not to be on your phone it takes common sense. There is only 2 more days of school then my kid goes to kinder in august. The owner said next year she is going to be more in touch with the parents to make sure everything is going okay. I hope thats true and another parent doesnt have to go through what I have been dealing with.
You seem more concerned for this girls situation than she does. She talks on the phone all day at work and you are worried about her deficient financial situation.
I have had many difficult financial difficulties, you know what I did...worked my butt off!
Wow, just wow. That is some of the most unprofessional behavior I've ever heard of. I would remove my child from that class and possibly that school, and be very clear about why.
This woman should not be working with young children-she is not ready. I would certainly report the situation and the school if the owner can not prevent this type of behavior.
As for the phone in the classroom. I don't see a problem with it being on, but silent. My first grader actually had her teacher pull out her iPhone and look up the answer to an off the wall question one of the kids had asked. I do think that teachers should utilize tools they may have-but personal calls/text can wait until lunch, break, or after school.
All I can say is if she does this in front of a parent, I can't imagine what goes on when your aren't there. Pull her out and find a better school.
This is a big problem with the child care industry in our country. The job is a necessary need for many families, yet it doesn't pay well and thus often attracts less-than-wonderful employees. (I say this as someone who worked in childcare for twenty years.)
My suggestion would be to put the complaint in writing, just clear, concise documentation. Explain that while you want the best for this preschool teacher, you are concerned for your own daughter and the other children in this woman's care. Explain exactly what you told us; that she was disengaged, abrupt, unkind and yelling at kids.
If it were me, I'd also explain to the director that if there wasn't a staff change, I'd be pulling my child out of care there. There is absolutely no reason for her to be conducting her personal business while at work. Even when I had my own preschool in home and HAD to answer the phone (in case it was a parent) I always told anyone other than parents to call back later. When I worked at a child development center, being on the phone in class wasn't even happening. There should be 'turn off your cell' policy at the preschool; emergency calls can be answered by the receptionist who would then contact the teacher directly and who would also arrange coverage for the teacher to take that call in the office or staff room.
I know you feel bad about this, however, I think your Mama Bear would come out if you heard another parent volunteer tell you that it was *your* kid who was being yelled at. It sounds like this gal is trying to get fired, personally, or just doesn't care. And there's nothing worse at a daycare or preschool than someone who just doesn't care.
Good luck.
Even if you pull your daughter you should still talk to the owner about this, the kids need better care.
Ugh, she might not be a bad person, but she is a terrible preschool teacher. Personal phone calls and texting on the clock is strictly forbidden in every preschool I've ever worked in or visited. The owner should be compiling a file on this employee so that she can fire her (and not have to pay unemployment) if the teacher doesn't completely stop this behavior. There is absolutely no excuse for personal calls during work hours when you are a teacher. Teachers are given breaks and should use that time to make phone calls. Emergency calls can be directed to the office so that the director can make sure that the classroom is covered while a teacher takes an emergency call.
Enabling her bad behavior is not helping her. It is putting the kids in jeopardy. There is no way that she can adequately supervise her classroom if her attention is divided between her phone and the students.
ETA: My sister operates a daycare and she has cameras in every classroom. She can see if an employee uses their phone, and she writes them up for it. She gives them only 1 chance after they are caught, and after that it is an immediate dismissal.
That teacher would have lost her job today if she worked for me. I can bet that if you complain about it and can tell many details about what is going on in her life the director can pin her down and she'll be able to tell that this woman really was talking about her personal life in front of the kids.
These kids do not need to hear these words. They do not need to know that this teachers mom accused her of using drugs.
BUT what concerns me the most is that she used time out for punishment. That is against the rules and regulations in Oklahoma. Time away is only used when a child is so out of control that they need some time to get away and calm down. It is NOT PUNISHMENT.
Tell the director you will not be bringing your child to this teacher anymore due to your concerns about her unprofessional actions and behaviors.
Too bad you couldn't get this on video with your phone so you could show the director. Treating a child that you have in your care in child care is reprehensible.
She is not qualified to work with these kids right now. We all go through problem times and those times influence our patience and our ability to deal with kids. I think she needs to take some time away herself. Maybe she could work somewhere she's not dealing with kids and being the example they are learning from.
First of all, if she gets fired, it's not your fault! She's being extremely irresponsible and obviously doesn't care enough about children; plus, taking out her bad mood on other children is totally unacceptable!!! She's obviously in the wrong profession!
I would definitely talk to the owner and not mince words!
Are there other parents that volunteer on your "off" days that you could talk to and find out if she does the same thing when others are there? If so, then I would encourage them to report her as well and then you won't feel like it's all on your shoulders alone.
Good luck!!
Very, very unprofessional, for sure. This never would have been tolerated at my kids' preschool. You may want to start looking around for a better program.
It will not be your fault if she is fired. Her supervisor/owner has talked with her about this before. The teacher has been told the appropriate way to behave. She is responsible for herself. She has been given the opportunity to learn and she hasn't done so.
You are protecting the children by reporting this. The children are more important than allowing the teacher to ignore them and to take out her anger on them. The children should not be exposed to the teacher's personal problems. Tell the supervisor because it's the right thing to do for the kids.
You don't know that she will be fired. The supervisor has to go thru a series of things before she can fire her. You don't know how much time and effort the supervisor has spent on this. Whether or not this teacher is fired is not your responsibility. Seeing that your child has the best experience possible is your responsibility.
Also, as a retired police officer and a mother, I would be suspicious about the possibility of drug use. A mother usually doesn't make this sort of accusation without some basis for doing so.
In response to Diane B. In our area we have co-op preschools/daycares. They charge the parents less because the parent does work in the classroom. It's a cost saving arrangement for the parent.
As to 1 teacher to 14 students, that concerns me. A licensed preschool/daycare is to have something like one adult to 4-6 children. There should be 2 volunteers or another teacher/aide.
If I found out that a teacher was taking multiple non-emergency personal calls while in charge of not only my child, but 13 others, I would be both finding a new daycare and raising holy hell. The only time I've ever seen anyone on a phone at my daughter's daycare is whoever's answering the front desk phone and occasionally the girls will text if the children are all quietly watching a movie in the afternoon during pick up time, and even then that's rarely. There is no reason for her to be having these personal conversations during work hours. I wouldn't be able to at my job and I'm not in charge of a lot of impressionable children.
Not normal.
For preschool or ANY school.
I have teachers in my family (preschool and elem. grades) and they check their phones on THEIR time, not class time.
Also kind of cowardly for the director to ask you to keep tabs on O. of the teachers, don't you think?
I'd be out of there...yesterday.
Sorry but I would not leave my child in this woman's care. Too many red flags.
First of all, her financial situation is her problem. If I was in a bad way financially, I'd be sure to be on the ball 100% at work. Perhaps this is more than just a work issue.
I think her behavior is outrageous. It's one thing to get an important call, it's another thing to be on the phone while working with kids. You are at work, work!
I'd again talk to the director and let her know how you feel. I wouldn't stand for it. Make a suggestion that she leave her phone off and in her bag during working hours. If there is an emergency, let that person call the school and ask to speak to her. She needs to be given a written warning.
And tell the director that if it doesn't change ASAP, you will remove your child.
Her behavior is outrageous considering she is a preschool teacher. Let the chips fall where they may. If she gets fired, it is her own fault.
Personally, I would tell the teacher your concerns about your observations and inform her that you feel obligated to tell the director because the children's safety is at risk. (Who leaves preschoolers alone for 5 minutes? Although you are a parent volunteer, does she know through security clearances that you or the next volunteer are not a sex offenders?).
Regardless, I would not send my child back to that school.
Nobody should be talking or texting on a cell phone at work. Her director needs to take that phone away from her during work hours if she is unable to control herself. That might fix the problem.
Wow, totally unacceptable. I would talk to the owner right away. Do they have a policy of teachers not talking and texting at work? If not they should. She is hired as a teacher and should be doing her job. It would not be your fault if she loses her job because she was not doing her job. Frankly the children are most important here and their care sounds very sub-standard. I would be clear to the owner that things change immediately or my child is out of there.
My daughter's preschool has sign up that says you are here for the children, they come first. If not go find another job.
Teachers have been let go because of reasons like that.
I too would be concerned. These preschool teachers are like a home away from home. They are partners in developing your child. Good luck hope you find some guidance.
As a teacher.... My primary responsibility are the children in my classroom and using the time wisely.
Do we have cell phones on hand? Yes... But they are only used when we are not one on one with children.
My opinion is that this teacher does not have the children as her priority. I'm sorry if sge has personal issues but that needs to be addressed outside of the classroom when class is not in session.
Oh geez, just pull your daughter. You need a different daycare.
While she is working, she shouldn't even have her cell phone on. It is her job to work, not take personal phone calls.
Yelling at a child for crying? What?
Forget about feeling sorry for the teacher. God knows what she does when YOU aren't there watching her. She needs a job that doesn't involve children.
You just got lip service from the director. Please pull your daughter out and tell the director point blank what happened. Take your time finding another place.
I would not be feeling so sorry for her - if that were my daughter's teacher/daycare provider, I would be livid. Her behavior is completely unprofessional and she needs to either shape up and understand what being in charge of small children is really all about, or find a whole other career. If she gets fired, it's her own damn fault. I would let the director know you want to pull your child out and why - who knows, you might not be the only parent who has said something.
I would go talk to the owner immediately. The consequences of this teacher's actions falls squarely on her shoulders. The consequences of not telling on her (kids receiving poor care) would fall on yours.
Tell the owner that while you like the teacher, you are not happy with the care the kids are receiving when this teacher is "working" and if it happens again, you will be finding alternative care for your child as soon as possible. Start looking for other options now so you can move if/when necessary.
She shouldn't be working there. You'd be letting all the kids down if you didn't report the problem to her supervisor. People shouldn't take jobs for granted these days, and that's what she's doing. If she can't do her job well and leave her personal life at home, then it's time to go.
if she needed the job she would have shaped up the first time the director spoke to her which i actually thing she did.
I work at a preschool and my phone is OFF. I do not even turn it on when I'm on my break. If there is any emergency with my kids at their school or with my husband, everyone knows they can reach me through the school's number. It is unaceptable for her to be on the phone while taking care of other kids. What if a kid gets lost and wanders off in the hallway? What if a kid gets hurt and that's the reason they were crying. If I were you I would pull my kid out of that school like yesterday AND have a talk with the director.
Here's the thing - her JOB is to interact with small people all day. It is not to be on the phone, ignoring them. If it is truly a preschool (and not a daycare) there should also be lessons. She should be teaching them something. My DD does not need to be exposed to someone talking about drugs. I do not pay someone to watch my child and text all day.
She may not be a bad person, but she is making bad choices that are negatively affecting children - yours and others. The kids are crying because the teacher can't keep it together long enough to be professional. You can have sympathy for her while still reporting it to the director. If she values her job, she'll shape up. If not, then she blew it with her own actions. Do not feel guilty. If you rather, think of yourself and all the other parents who pay for her to do a particular job that she is not doing.
Please do speak to the director about your concerns. What actions the director takes after that are between her and the employee but she did ask you to tell her if you had further concerns. There are lots of people looking for work. If she can't do the job, then someone else can.
We also have a lot of co-op programs in our area. Having a parent assist her doesn't mean she gets to slack off. It's to make the program affordable for the families and to allow them a deeper interaction with the school. Or preschool does co-op for the younger 3s but not for the older kids. Parents are asked to come in once every couple of weeks to help out.
Ratios vary by state. In our state, you can have 18 four year olds with two teachers (ratio of 1:9). So 2 adults and 14 kids may be adequate.
New school, as well write a letter expressing what you have observed.
Time to start looking for a new preschool.
Seriously?! No way is that okay. Just no. I would not have my child return to that school and I would tell the director again. The director needs to sit in there and observe this. Of course she might not do it if the boss was in there, but something needs to be said.
I'm a preschool teacher and if I EVER did that at school (and in front of a parent?! OMG) I would be reprimanded severely and/or let go from my position. When you teach your personal life has NO BUSINESS in the classroom.She was very unprofessional and you should definitely bring this to the director's attention!
Well, I'm sure she may be struggling but your right to be upset about this. I would just tell the director your concerned and tell her as specifically as possible what you have seen in the class. It sounds like a no phone in the class no matter what rule is what she needs.
Your in a tough spot, but if she does lose her job over this, you can't feel too guilty as it sounds like she is bringing this on herself.
Get your emotions out of the way and look at the facts: The children are being neglected. Is this what you pay for? They are being emotionally abused. Is this why you send your kids to pre-school? How old is this 'teacher'? She sounds very young. Maybe you could volunteer more frequently? If you are concerned that she will be fired if you speak to the owner, maybe you should speak to her yourself.
I know I wouldn't leave my children in the care of such an immature person. It could be very dangerous, in more ways than one. If one child is harmed (physically, emotionally) because of this situation, could you live with the knowledge that you had a chance to prevent this by speaking up?Time is of the essence, don't you think? Let us know what you decide to do . . . .
Personally, I wouldn't put up with this behavior in any position, but especially not at a preschool, where attentiveness and diligence is essential for the kid's safety and education. Why not take the teach aside and speak to her personally? Make sure to frame you conversation in a tone of concern: concern for your child's safety, and for the teacher's position and well-being. You can let her know that you generally like her, and that you concerns are not personal, but that you can't stand by and watch her neglect the children. You can commiserate with how difficult it is to balance professional and personal time, but that it is something that is essential in any position.
If you meet with resistance or anger, I suggest you pull your child out of that situation and notify the other parents of what you see going on -- they have a right to know how their children are being cared for.
Switch preschools! That's so unacceptable and dangerous.
