Alright, my daughter started preschool this year at a co-op. The school is in the next city over and I volunteer in her class 4 days a month (requirement). After school started, I realized it wasn't everything academically I had been hoping for, but kind of put it aside because I really liked her teacher and my daughter enjoyed it. The parent volunteers do all of the 'lessons' though and it's basically glorified play time except for a circle time they do for the last 10 minutes of the day. I'm also having trouble finding care for my younger child on days I'm in the classroom. So, not all I was hoping for but I was willing to work it out. Well now, the teacher that I love is leaving the school. In her place is going to be the director of the school who I completely clash with. I wasn't fond if her when she was just 'director' but I'm down right bummed that she'll now be my daughter's teacher. It wouldn't be a big deal except I have to be in the class once a week with this person. Along with my other qualms, I'm thinking about pulling my daughter out. This is the only year she'd go to this school because she can join the pre-k program in our school district next year. My husband said he'd support whatever decision I made, but thinks I'm "fleeing at the first sign of adversity". My thought is that if I'm paying for it, it's my right to flee. Obviously I'd have to be more flexible when she joins public school and I know that. What would you do? The teacher was completely up my ass the first day I was in the class with her and she just really makes me not want to go back. If I'm being a baby, just tell me =)

If she enjoys it, I'd leave her in OR I'd wait until you had her enrolled in another school before pulling her out.

Why is it a requirement to volunteer once/ week though?
That seems pretty excessive.
Esp. since many parent's of preschoolers work...do they expect them to take the day off to "volunteer"?

Quoting Meg.:“ If she enjoys it, I'd leave her in OR I'd wait until you had her enrolled in another school before pulling ... [snip!] ... seems pretty excessive. Esp. since many parent's of preschoolers work...do they expect them to take the day off to "volunteer"?”

Because it's a cooperative school. Not to mention I have to serve on a committee which is also very time consuming...plus pay the monthly tuition. I knew this ahead of time...I shouldn't complain. It's just panning out to be more than I expected.

Quoting J e s s i c a:“ Because it's a cooperative school. Not to mention I have to serve on a committee which is also very ... [snip!] ... pay the monthly tuition. I knew this ahead of time...I shouldn't complain. It's just panning out to be more than I expected.”

*googling*

That does sound like a lot though..

Quoting J e s s i c a:“ Alright, my daughter started preschool this year at a co-op. The school is in the next city over and ... [snip!] ... first day I was in the class with her and she just really makes me not want to go back. If I'm being a baby, just tell me =)”

IMO, the fact that the teachers to bumpkiss and the parents are teaching the lessons combined with her not getting the quality of learning you were expecting, I'd find another preschool. Parent volunteers should not be TEACHING, they should be helping pass out snack and reading to kids during story time...things like that. Not teaching the lesson.

There will be a lot mroe play than you would probably have expected in any preschool because that is how kids this age learn best (most important skills for kindergarten are play/interaction/social skills. The rest can be taught during K) at least that is what MOST preschools do...

Why is it that the parents are doing the lessons? Me personally I would either pull her out totally or find another pre-school, but I am a little hard headed and stubborn, so my opinion might not be the best one.

I think you should look for another program. I think its important to like your childs teacher esp at that young of age and the fact you are paying for it. I think you could find something else, ive never heard of parents planning the lessons

If there is one thing I have learned with Brandon being in school the last few years is that you have to beconfidentwith what you want. If it is not what you expected then by all means change. You should not have to settle to keep others happy. I would find a new preschool where there was no voluntering unless you wanted to like for field trips. That way you don't have to worry about care for Ethan. Which I know that I am a 45 minutes drive, but I am always happy to watch him!   It is only October. Imagine how you will be feeling byJune if you stay!!!!!

Thanks guys. Matt just made me feel kind of bad because he knows I'm impulsive and passive and would want to get out of this situation.

There are 4 parents every single day in class. Each does a station. Then the teacher hops from station to station 'joining in'. The parents are responsible for talking to kids about the skill the lesson is trying to teach. Now I know I'm capable, but are the other parents taking time and patients to teach my daughter a new skill? Are they vested in her education like I am or the teacher should be? No. I wanted a co-op because I wanted to be able to be an integral part of her education. I don't want to be her education though, we do that at home.

I know all preschools are play also. Her school is actually called Tigard playschool. It's just that with no structure, I feel like she's only there to play with her friends. Which is great, but we can do that for free like we have been for the last 4 years. Ya know?

Quoting Meg.:“ *googling* That does sound like a lot though..”

From what I've seen, it appears to be quite a bit of a commitment even compared to other cooperative schools. At one of our mandatory meetings *sigh* they spent like the last 15 minutes just talking about "not letting the commitment overwhelm us".

Quoting J e s s i c a:“ Thanks guys. Matt just made me feel kind of bad because he knows I'm impulsive and passive and would ... [snip!] ... there to play with her friends. Which is great, but we can do that for free like we have been for the last 4 years. Ya know?”

does the local school district or even the county offer preschool? I know out school offers it and the county also has a program. I understand the frustration with other parents teaching new skills, i dont agree with that b/c who is to say they know what they are doing. During my junior and senior yr of hs i was in a early childhood program and we ran a preschool 2 days a wk but there was a main qualified teacher and director who did all the lesson plans(besides at the end of ur senior yr we had to write lesson plans but they had to be approved by the teachers). But during classtime we were being taught ways to interact effectively with the kids so in a way we were more qualified.

Quoting Kenzs Mama+1 on the way:“ does the local school district or even the county offer preschool? I know out school offers it and the ... [snip!] ... But during classtime we were being taught ways to interact effectively with the kids so in a way we were more qualified.”

Yes, we're in an excellent school district and I will pay for her to go to the school districts pre-k program next year. Her birthday is one month after the cut off date though, so she can't start until next year. And yeah, I just think the parents do too much of the core classroom stuff. I'm sure they're all great parents - but that doesn't make them great teachers.

Quoting J e s s i c a:“ Yes, we're in an excellent school district and I will pay for her to go to the school districts pre-k ... [snip!] ... do too much of the core classroom stuff. I'm sure they're all great parents - but that doesn't make them great teachers.”

  

Quoting Kenzs Mama+1 on the way:“ does the local school district or even the county offer preschool? I know out school offers it and the ... [snip!] ... But during classtime we were being taught ways to interact effectively with the kids so in a way we were more qualified.”

I also did that my junior and senior year in high school. Brandon was in this kind of preschool. He loved it, and so did I!

Quoting J e s s i c a:“ Yes, we're in an excellent school district and I will pay for her to go to the school districts pre-k ... [snip!] ... do too much of the core classroom stuff. I'm sure they're all great parents - but that doesn't make them great teachers.”

I agree! You should look into the preschool that Michelle and I are talking about. You still pay for it, but it is probably less then what you were paying. The nice thing is they don't usually start till the end of October. So you pobably haven't missed anything yet. I know that Aloha high school had one. That was where I went. Then there is one out by me. I am sure a lot of high school's do it though.