My sons childcare centre has a new director, who has decided to rotate the room teachers on a regular, ongoing basis. So he might have the same teachers for 1-2 weeks, then it changes to new ones.
Currently its changed on an annual basis, and children who are moving up to the next age group/room will usually have one teacher in there that they're had before.
Is this constant rotating thing normal? Is it evidence based?
As it is, DS gets upset if on of the regular teachers has an RDO, I just don't know how he'll cope with this!
All of the staff I have spoken to are not impressed, and have encouraged parents to complain about it.
Hi I used to work in childcare - as a room teacher for 0-2 years and then as 0-3 years old. Currently in final semester for Bachelor in Early Childhood.
Personally I would say for the unders 3's it is not necessarily the wisest thing to have rotating teachers cos little children need familairity and routine. I suppose other things the director might be taking into consideration is that the teachers are from within the same centre and it gives all the children the opportunity to become familiar with all teachers and then when RDO's happen in the younger room she can replace staff with someone within the centre and put the casual in the bigger room where they are more able to adjust with new faces.
I probably wouldn't like to be rotated so frequently either - perhaps monthly is better - has the Director offered an explanation to the parents has to why she is doing this - perhaps she is trying to put 'her stamp' on the centre or she has seen it work in other centres. Have you heard any feedback from the teachers themselves, they may not like the change either? Oops just reread that the teachers are not happy, so perhaps voicing your concerns abt consistency in the room routine, planning and familiar interactions with the children could be raised with the Director. Unhappy teachers is not condusive to a pleasant environment for anyone concerned and as a parent you are a valid stakeholder in what happens at the centre and how your child will be affected
In regards to your DS I think it can be unsettling especially if he only attends a couple of days a week which means that it will take him longer to adjust to teacher changes. I believe that children need to develop a sense of security and a bond with their teachers so that their time at the centre is spent playing, making friendships and taking risks in what they choose to play with, exploring and investigating and I think this is hindered when they do not feel comfortable and secure within their environment.
In my studying so far (8 years) I haven't really come across anything to validate the Director's choice although the moving the teachers up along with the children annually is widely recognised and advantageous. In Emilio Reggio schools (Italy) children remain with the same teacher for 5-8 years as they progress through their schooling cos it is believed to benefit the family style of learning and investigation that develops as the children are encouraged to follow their interests and have these expanded upon by teachers who understand the children at a high level.
Sorry I rambled - very passionate abt little children and their education - hope you get some help from this!
Last edited by Ursula; June 29th, 2007 at 11:11 AM.
: more to add!!!
Thanks Ursula. I'm gald its not just me being precious.
No, there has been no consulation with parents, or official notification.
DS's carer told DH about it last night, and gave the impression that she is less than impressed, and asked us to forward complaints.
i just spoke to DH, and he said another parent was not happy about it when they were told this morning, so I about to call and get the full story before I shoot off a letter of complaint.
This is what I have so far, but after reading your post I would like to include some of your points, that is if you don't mind?
I am writing to express my deepest dismay at the recent decision made in regards to the ongoing rotation of teachers between rooms at XXXXXX The annual rotation of teachers/staff was one of the main reasons that we chose XXXXXX when we looked at childcare options for our son, and this is about to be abolished. I think this will seriously undermine the child/carer relationship by removing the sense of stability that is presently in place. As it is my son (and I am sure he is not alone) is more unsettled on days where regular staff in his room have an RDO, or training, or are on leave. I really do not see the reason to do this to the children on an regular, ongoing basis. Child/carer relationships are not something that can be built overnight, or in a week. Its an ongoing process, and I think its sad that the children at are not going to have the opportunity to build these relationships. My son is comfortable with, and has built up a trust relationship with his carers. I also believe that some of the younger children are not old capable of understanging or coping with this constant change and will potentially be left upset and confused. I am also disappointed that parents’ opinion was not sought during decision making process, for something that is a fundamental change to the way the centre will be run. I will now need to seriously consider keeping my son at the centre if this policy remains in place.
I would be concerned too Rayray. Another thing to consider is that I you as a parent need consistency. If you give instructions about Milo (eg needs teddy to go to sleep), you know it will be remembered and that you don't have to repeat it in a fortnights time to the next batch of carers. Also you build a relationship with those carers and they get an understanding of you parenting style.
Currently at my centre they do what your centre, same carers all year, 1 moves up and stays at the change of year. That does not mean though that the same carers are in the room all day. Due to the different shifts and combining of the rooms of an early morning and late afternoon, it sometimes means that Maggie's normal carers are not there at drop off and pick up. I never feel fully comfortable dropping her off and worry that instructions will not be passed on. In fact I had a run in with one carer from an older room who just trivialised and dismissed my concerns about the latest gastro outbreak. I put in a complaint as this would not have happened with the main carers. So can just imagine what would happen with more frequent change overs.
Anyway that is my experience, and just another point to add to your letter.
Astrid - thats what happens at ours at the moment, but there is usually one of the 2 main teachers there at dropoff, and one at pickup.
I've have just called - they are rotating it DAILY! and it starts on Monday next week, with there still having been no formal notification to parents.
the same teachers will be there on the same shifts, on the same day (so each teacher will have set shifts) but every day its going to be different people. The only consistency is that every monday will be the same as every other monday etc - except Fridays, which are different!!!!
they are having 4 different shift start times. there will be 2 days out of 5 where neither of the 2 main teachers will be there for pickup or dropoff, and I think she said 2 days where they are not there for either the whole morning or afternoon. theres one day where that alternate so one week its X teahcer, and the next its Y
I can't belive this, its ridiculous. I'm so angry. Off to update my letter!
My DD's childcare only rotate on an annual basis and its not usually a huge change either (only usually one person per out of 3 per room). I would be putting in a complaint about that (and the workers are probably hoping u do to) cos I know my daughter would be upset if the ladies in her room are swapped around.
Astrid good point abt parents needing consistency as well although I can imagine that the director will have a response to this by saying they can use communication books where teachers and/or parents can write down instructions that can be referred to by the teachers during the day.
Rayray feel free to use any of the points I raised that you feel can help your letter, I think your letter is good and raises issues of concern in a non-aggressive manner. Hard to believe that a director would go forward with this system if teachers are voicing concerns especially without proposing first to staff and parents to get feedback and to point forward the so-called benefits for this choice. I wonder if this is her first directoring position???
Crap just read rotating each day that is ridiculous and in no way provides benefits to the children or teachers. Maybe great for those children that only come once a week so they see the same teacher each day - but heck it just seems wrong!!!
I wonder if she is keeping ratios and qualifications the same within the rooms. I predict there will be many staff leaving and children/parents leaving if she continues with this system especially with no regard to the clients/stakeholders of the centre whose concerns and care the centre is to provide for!!!
Thanks so much Ursula and everyone for your comments.
All I know is the director is new to our centre, and she sounds young on the phone. I have not met her as she started either this week or last. I really like the old director.
Its apparently being trialled for a month. Hmm. I'll be putting my letter in tonight hopefully.
Thanks everyone. Janeo - if you see this I'd really like your take on it too
Last edited by Pandora; June 29th, 2007 at 01:23 PM.
Wow I think thats crazy!! They dont even do that in primary schools because it is recognised just how much children need that stability and routine, it makes them feel safe. Your letter is great..i hope lots of other parents get onboard and back you.
OK, I have updated it with many thanks for your input.
this is what I'm sending - its not aggressive is it? I want the director to take my points on board but I dont want to come accorss as scary!
I am writing to express my deepest dismay at the recent decision made in regards to the rotation of teachers within rooms at XXXX
The annual rotation of teachers/staff is widely recognised as advantageous, and was one of the key reasons that we chose XXXX when we looked at childcare options for our son, and this is about to be abolished.
I think this will be quite unsettling and will seriously undermine the child/carer relationship, by removing the sense of stability that is presently in place. As it is, my son (and I am sure he is not alone) is more unsettled on days where regular staff in his room have an RDO, or training, or are on leave. I really do not see the reason to do this to the children on an regular, ongoing basis.
I believe that children need to develop a sense of security and a bond with their teachers so that their time at the centre can be spent playing, making friendships and taking risks in what their play, exploring and investigating. I think that this is hindered when the child does not feel comfortable and secure in their environment, and I don’t think that the increased frequency in staff rotation is conducive to strong relationship building.
Child/carer relationships are not something that can be built overnight, or in a week Its an ongoing process, and I think its sad that the children at XXXX are not going to have the opportunity to build these relationships. My son is comfortable with, and has built up a trust relationship with his carers. I also believe that some of the younger children are not old capable of understanding or coping with this constant change and will potentially be left upset and confused.
While this may give children the opportunity to become familiar with all carers at the centre, I think that this is adequately catered for at present, with the annual staff rotation, floating staff and the joint/family groupings in the early morning.
I am also disappointed that parents’ opinion and feedback was not sought during decision making process, for something that is a fundamental change to the way the centre will be run.
I will now need to seriously consider keeping my son at the centre if this policy remains in place indefinitely.
I also have a couple of questions, are staff ratios and qualifications going to remain the same within the rooms? Also, is it possible to outline the proposed benefits and examples of this having worked well at other centres?
I am happy to discuss these concerns in person, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Sounds very good Rayray, reads well and presents your concerns in a professional manner. I hope the Director is able to respond to your concerns - perhaps she will see reason.
RayRay - I can't believe they are doing that at the centre. Is the centre part of a large chain? - if so i would go straight to the top with this one. I don't see how they can be fostering each individual childs development running the program this way. When i worked in childcare - i had to keep developmental records on each individual child in my class, and tailor the program to suit their individual needs. There is no way the programs are going to be able to run in this way if staff are changing weekly.
I hope lots of other parents join you in complaining so they don't even get to trial it.
My goodness that sound dreadful! I am a primary teacher and my boss was concerned for the children in my class because there are 2 of us job sharing on one class- this situation at your CC is far more unsettling and the children involved are younger. i think your letter sounds brilliant. if it is a non profit organisation, who is it run by? When my DDs were at preschool it was community based and run by a committee of parents in conjunction with the director.
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