[daynesmom]

So, you read my post about the adjustment issues we are having with DS going to preschool. Well now we have a new problem.

The director called today to let me know that they had to let his teacher go last week and that tomorrow there will be a new teacher there. Ok, we'll adjust. THEN she said that teacher is only a sub and will be there for only 2 weeks then the permanant teacher will come in!!! WHAT?!?!?!? Now he has to adjust to a new teacher only to have that one leave and then adjust to yet another teacher!!!!!

What to do?

[joepegcamp]

Oh no! That would worry me, too. Could you request that the director be in the room for the majority of the day? If your son knows the director, then the transition from teacher to teacher shouldn't be as traumatic as if a new person keeps showing up every week.

I think it's important that the room doesn't change, the kids in his class doesn't change and the schedule doesn't change.

Maybe you'll be pleasantly surprised by how well your son does.

[dspakowsky]

Oh man... what a tough situation. If you plan on keeping him there, I'd start now talking about how teachers change classrooms, and it's fun to have a new teacher, but it's so great to always have the same friends in the same room, etc. That's the best I know!

[SKL]

My kids just switched from having a full-time nanny (for 20 months) to going to preschool/daycare full-time. I thought it might be difficult for them, but I just told them that Nanny had gone to Honduras for a while (true) and by the time she got back, they were well-adjusted at school.

Maybe you could talk to your son about what "interesting" things his teacher will be doing for the near future, which are keeping her from coming to school. You don't have to point out the fact that she's never coming back. If he asks about that specifically, you might tell him that he will probably see her again someday, but not at school.

I'd also tell him that his substitute teacher is only there for a couple of weeks, and talk about the new permanent teacher with lots of enthusiasm. Try to find out the new teacher's name as soon as possible so you can give him something semi-concrete to think about. Use a calendar to count off the days before you welcome the new teacher and say goodbye to the sub.

In the mean time, I agree with keeping him in the same classroom with the same children, to the extent possible. If your child's day care is anything like ours, he regularly interacts with several other teachers who will still be around through the transition period. So hopefully there will be enough continuity that he'll do OK.

[becky]

This situation obviously isn't ideal...but I have been a preschool director for a long time and if the kids are used to their room and used to their friends, they often do just fine with a sub. She won't be there long enough for any real bonding to go on...and it sounds like in the long run you will be better off if the original teacher needed to be let go!

[mcnay1]

Is there only one teacher per room at this day care/preschool? Because of ratios and consistency, my boys school usually has more than 1 teacher in at a time and the work as a team. So, there is some consistence throughout the day even if one is absent. But, I think what was said before will be true...he's used to the room and his friends/classmates and if they follow the same daily routine, then he should be fine. Dropping off might be the worst part, but he'll be ok once he sees his friends, starts playing and gets into the daily routine. Hang in there...these unknowns are so tough....

[shelbydog]

Seems normal to me, and well, it's life! The more non-chalant you are about it, the better. It happens at preschools, daycares and all schools unfortunately. We had an unfortunate situation at our elementary where a teacher went on maternity leave, then the new teacher passed away in an accident shortly after she started. It was very sad and obviously not the norm. In many preschools, teachers move on, get promoted or change classes. It just happens. I wouldn't make a big deal about it, focus on the positives and I'm sure everything will be just fine.

[Gabri]

I thought the same thing. I assume there are more adults in the room than just the teacher? Also, is your child particularly attached to the teacher? As for adjustment, so much depends on their personality, security, etc., but what it's worth the thing that worked the best for our child was moving him to 5 days a week. When he was going 2 or 3 days, it was a constant battle. When we switched to 5 days, there was no 'is there school today' discussion and he adjusted much, much faster. Now he walks in like he owns the place, and I have to remind him to give me a kiss before I leave...

[JustBarbara]

Originally Posted by becky

This situation obviously isn't ideal...but I have been a preschool director for a long time and if the kids are used to their room and used to their friends, they often do just fine with a sub. She won't be there long enough for any real bonding to go on...and it sounds like in the long run you will be better off if the original teacher needed to be let go!

Yes, I'm with you - DS has had a couple of teachers - and as long as he and his friends are together in the same room/ group then he is fine. His teacher went home to visit family in Russia for six weeks - one parent went ballistic - how could you let her go? My poor child, what will become of him? Anyway, I had the opposite thought that this wonderful teacher would come back rejuvenated from seeing family for the first time in five years. While she was away, a new teacher started, she was wonderful but three weeks later she found a new job more suited to what she wanted to do. The kids were a little sad to see her go - as was I - but hadn't bonded enough for it to be traumatic and we knew his head teacher would be back. Kids are more resilient than we think, just my opinion. She came back from Russia, rejuvenated and boy oh boy were the kids happy to see her and vice-versa. Sorry a bit off topic but kids adapt.