Thanks Dee and Ali I've decided to let the year begin and just see how things so... only placing demands if a personal meeting with the teacher fails to reveal empathy etc. My DD is somewhat thin-skinned however she does report situations acurately even "confessing" easily if she's done the wrong thing. DD also says the girls that had Ms. R seemed to really like her so even she is keen to just wait and see what happens next year. She does admit to acting "a bit silly" when she is with the friends in the other class.

I totally understand the "humanity" of teachers as a few 4yo's really got the better of me when I was working at the ELC too! I worked through morning sickness (last pregnancy) with angry little boys kicking me in fits of rage as they tried to prise free from my grasp! Usually i would have known what to do/say to de-escalate the situation but some days it's just not in you.... who knows maybe this newly-wed Ms. R has m/s!!! I wouldn't be surprised if that happens and DD ends up with another teacher next year anyhow! Anyhow, thanks for your perpectives girls