School checking out home before 4 yr old starts school

I think it's quite sad that some people can't, or won't, try to understand that there is another school of thought (!) on this subject.

Well I think I will try saying once more that it is not done to scrutinise the home, but to meet the family and help the child's transition into school. Then I will shut up, reflecting on how sad it is that some people see something that is done to support the child, in such a negative light.

Not in our area. Not necessary and very intrusive.
I am not upset it simply would not happen. I would be happy for my child to met her teacher at school which presumably she would be happy to do, particularly as undoubtedly she would have attended nursery and therefore be used to the context.
But a visit to our home - no. Teacher has nothing to do with the child's home life, so a visit is totally out of context.

It may have been in some areas, Mamie, but not in mine. My GDs' teacher certainly never visited their home, although it wouldn't have been a problem for my DD (given advance warning!).

There are, however, parents who would rather not have their living accommodation seen, never mind scrutinised, by a person they view as an 'authority figure'. Not all parents are middle-class, but they all have their pride.

It is in no sense a home inspection. It is a chance to meet the child in a familiar context and ease the transition into school. I honestly can't see why people are suddenly getting so upset about this. It has been happening for years.

The nursery school my children attended operated this policy twenty odd years ago. I think most of the mothers found it quite odd, possibly slightly bizarre given this would of course been unthinkable when our generation first started school back in the dim and distant past, then again we agreed we would have had ten pink fits if our parents went anywhere near the place. Soon after that it became apparent that parents were expected to be a constant presence at school in some capacity or other which was yet another dawning of a new era for most of us.

Can't make up my mind whether I think it's a good or bad thing, possibly whoever does the home visit is doing a quick recci of the books to gadgetry ratio making a mental note of any 52 inch tv screens and the absence of any books other than the one from Argos.

I like your recent post Eloethan. Makes sense to me.

My grandkids live in America, and as you mentioned in your last para, this is, in fact, the system used there. It also involves busing the children in (from 3 years +) - and this is incorporated into the 'settling in' period. All buses have the same two helpers on each specific route.

There's no home inspection as far as I know, unless there is some serious concern.

I know that would be the real reason, but that wouldn't have stopped me feeling judged. Not then, as a young mum.

Now I wouldn't give a toss - "Come in sit down if you can find somewhere, tea? Sorry no biscuits, they ate them all. Don't sit there, the cat was sick on that chair and I haven't had a chance to clear it up!"

Or perhaps not. I still think I'd want my child and family to make a good impression. Far better to meet at the school. Then, if the teacher is concerned, only if s/he is concerned, s/he may call round for an informal chat.

"Checking out the home" is a bit loaded - maybe it's just a chance to get to know the child and parent/s and give the child a chance to see who they are getting! - hopefully if they visit a home where they are problems it will not be to judge, but to understand and better help the child.

This might be being done with the best intentions but I'm so glad it didn't happen when my DC started school. Even if I or my child weren't being judged, it would have felt as if I/she was. (Or do they just turn up, like an Ofsted.) I'd have been terrified!
With dog, cats, horse and various small animals, my house was always a tip. Covered in animal hair, toys and heaps of washing. I'd have spent at least a week scrubbing and cleaning and making sure the place was clean and tidy and I had home made cakes to offer! Are these teachers really sure they get a genuine picture of the child's home environment? 'Cos they definitely wouldn't have done with me!

My feelings entirely, Eloethan. Intrusive is the word.

I've never heard of this, and it does seem a bit intrusive to me.

As thatbags said, isn't there always the danger that a teacher's view of, and reaction to, a child's behaviour, abilities and potential may be influenced by the sort of home the child comes from? Also, I can imagine how daunting such a visit must be for a family on a low income living in overcrowded, sub-standard housing.

I prefer the idea of a series of small, informal get-togethers at the school where parents and teachers can exchange information, as well as some "introductory" sessions to get the children used to the school environment. If problems arise early in a child's schooling, presumably a home visit would be arranged anyway and, if it was thought necessary, other agencies would get involved?

aka sorry for the delay in replying - so busy the past couple of days.

No, not defensive, but more resisting "big brother".
I am not at all convinced that a teacher's visit to a home will tell them anything nor do I think that they are trained to recognize anything of importance. They are not psychiatrists nor social workers and can contribute nothing of meaning to what they see on a brief visit.

Far better that they have school visits where the parent can speak to the teacher on neutral ground.

Of course in a social context I would welcome the child's teacher, if I liked them!!

The teacher visit for my GS took place at the end of the school holidays.

What is a week in a person's life??? if it makes transition, etc, better? Really?

susieb, did that make the two girls any happier? Would n't it have been better to supply a new mattress and a couple of washable waterproof undersheets? And perhaps some warmer bed covers?

Definitely Aka!
I don't have any first-hand or professional experience of this topic.

Ana or Aka

Exactly, Ana!!

That reminds me that I was once at a meeting when someone told us we should be singing from the same menu.

Crossed posts Mamie singing off the same hymn sheet.

No hummingbird you have it arse about tit the wrong way round. Nowadays reception children don't start school on the first day of term, full time, wham! Bang! In you go dear mummy needs to get to work/meet for a coffee/get her hair done.

They are eased in gradually because of the culture shock experienced by many, especially those only just four.

It is actually not for the benefit of the teacher but for the child.

Induction practices vary, but I think most schools do not start the four year olds on full-time attendance straight away. My eldest GD had half a term of mornings only and she went back to her nursery in the afternoons. The younger one is a September birthday so she only had two or three weeks of part-time.

How about the point I made that it gives mothers a chance to talk to the teacher about her child? After all it's mother who usually knows them best...or is that not important?