School meeting

Last night, almost 2 weeks after school started there was a school welcome meeting for the parents! Mum and Dad came to babysit so that both Francois and I could go. Francois hadn't even seen the school yet, nevermind met the "maitresse" (teacher) so he was very pleased at the opportunity.

Firstly the school head talked us through the school policies and rules etc plus a little bit about funding, parent-teacher meetings and the activities committee run by parents. He is the head for the maternelle and primaire, but he's based at the primary school which is in a separate building. He seems nice enough, but strangely was not comfortable talking to a group of parents and just kept his head down and read from his sheet! He actually talked through the opening hours and where to go for what, which would have been helpful 2 weeks ago, but we've obviously found all that out already ourselves!

After this part, Laila's teacher took us into her classroom and we sat on the little benches for over an hour (we had sore bums at the end!). She talked us through what they do each day, she does have a timetable, but obviously with 2-4yr olds its not always followed that strictly! She emphasized a lot about learning through play and for example not sitting down to do a mathematics exercise, but rather play a counting game, puzzle or song. Or sorting and tidying etc all come under mathematics. They do lots of painting, colouring and playdough and listening to stories and music, singing and some physical exercise in the gym. They have certain competences that they are supposed to have achieved by the end of this year (or 2yrs for Laila as she has started early), these are set by the government's curriculum. But the teacher is of the opinion that if they don't reach all of them it doesn't matter, they still have 2 more years to do so. Her aim is to teach the children how to take care of themselves and become a pupil ready to learn at school when they are 6.

Overall Francois and I were really happy with the teacher, how she does things and her opinions. She has over 20 years of experience teaching this age and a few more years before teaching other ages. She says the littlest ones are her favourites though!

We asked her how Laila was coping with the language side of things, and she said it was clear Laila understood everything, despite still speaking in English to the teacher a lot, I think she is speaking more in French to the other children. She is certainly coming home with several new French phrases everyday.


There have been a few episodes of crying too, it was only the first 2 days where she cried when I left her. But a couple other days apparently she has cried in the playground. The teacher thinks she is overwhelmed by the number of children outside (all 60 from the 2 classes). She will get used to it I'm sure, but I understand it must be a bit scary and sadly there's not always someone there to hold her hand :-(

We have some activities to look forward to, the class has been signed up for "cinecole" which is cinema for schools. They will go to the cinema each term to watch a film for their age. I hope to volunteer to go along on any trips as they need parents to help. The parental activities committee is looking for new volunteers, especially to help with the "kermesse" which is the school fete. So I think I will join as a way of being involved and meeting the other parents.