Issue at preschool? It's happened again.

[clothmama]

I would start with the nursery manager as she can then sort out whether it is a staff issue or a child issue, and then figure out what the best next steps are. I take any issues I have right to the manager and she always comes back to me in a few hours with what she has done. Something like this may be a staff management issue rather than an issue with this child (ie. staff may not be doing what they should be).

I agree, although perhaps worth doing a letter to the manager and a word to the room boss and then escalate if not happy. Such a hard situation to deal with

Room supervisor and preschool manager is one and the same person. Don't know yet if that's a good thing or not ... Will update tomorrow, hopefully.

I just re-read your original post, that the staff person was there to support children with special needs, not just this boy, so it would make sense she is also a general staff person too. 3 for 20 kids seems a bit short, though, I thought it was 1 per 5, but I could be wrong. If the preschool manager has no one above her, then I suppose you need to speak with her, and maybe get a copy of their safeguarding policy.

A similar thing happened with J and a really violent girl at her last pre-school. I raised it several times but the staff never really did anything to sort it. The second time I complained, the manager was in the middle of denying anything was happening when the other girl
walked over to us and slapped
J across the face. It was one of the reasons I moved her. Hope you manage to sort it out.

Just back from dropping Iris off and managed to speak with the room supervisor/preschool manager and the special needs teacher. It seems yesterday's incident was triggered after a member of staff said it was pack up time. X wasn't tidying away the lego and Iris took it upon herself to help; she's going through a bit of a policing stage at the moment, whereby she enforces the rules. (Callum normally bears the brunt of it, poor thing.) X, being autistic, has a special way of putting things away and really didn't appreciate Iris interfering, so bit her. So neither child is in the wrong, as such.

Anyway, the staff were very apologetic and assured me that they're going to be spending lots of time with Iris. They've also hired a new member of staff, so that should help the situation. (The ratio over here is 1:10 for her age group, so they already exceed that and will do so further with the new person.) And they are going to be more diligent at trying to keep X and Iris apart a little during group time, so she doesn't bear the brunt of X lashing out. (I get the impression that while X is indiscriminate in who he bites/hits, Iris gets more of it by way of her being where she is developmentally - the mini gestapo thing).

So I am feeling a bit more reassured. FC that it doesn't happen again.

. So neither child is in the wrong, as such.

Not sure I agree with that - his autism explains his behaviour but doesn't excuse it. If he's unable to distinguish appropriate behaviour then he either needs closer supervision or to be excluded. I know that sounds harsh (and I am a big supporter of inclusion of children with SENs) but ultimately why do his needs take precedence over your child's safety?

I hope things improve, it sounds like the school are on side x

Sounds like positive steps x x Hope i gets better for her x x

Ruth, don't get me wrong - I'm pretty p*ssed off that Iris' safety has been compromised. Again. I don't know how much X recognises behaviour as either appropriate or not. (ETA: Although I guess the fact he's in a mainstream preschool suggests that he certainly has the capacity to know the difference.) I think part of the problem is X's complete lack of verbal skills - he can't tell Iris to back off. And impulse control is an issue - that and the fact that biting is a sensory thing for him, too.

But I do feel that the preschool is trying to do right by both children. We'll see what difference the extra member of staff makes. If there is another incident I'll definitely be submitting a formal grievance to the committee.

I think the next thing to do is have another chat with Iris about X and why he sometimes behaves like he does. Might have a look on the web and see if I can find any age-appropriate resources to explain autism to a 4-year-old.

I just re-read your original post, that the staff person was there to support children with special needs, not just this boy, so it would make sense she is also a general staff person too. 3 for 20 kids seems a bit short, though, I thought it was 1 per 5, but I could be wrong. If the preschool manager has no one above her, then I suppose you need to speak with her, and maybe get a copy of their safeguarding policy.

Ratio in3-5 year olds is 1:8 if that helps at all?