My twin boys are 3.5 years old. They are bright, active and sensitive little men. They are the light of my life, but they also need to get out of the house. This September we moved them from their Nursery School to a Montessori school so that they could enter an environment more like what school will be for them.
I wanted them to be in a place that was warm, inviting and educational. I wanted a place where their language skills would improve and where they would be introduced to beginner reading. I also wanted a place that they could play.
For two months they cried every day on the way to school. It broke my heart. But, as soon as we got to the school and they put on their indoor shoes they were happy. Happy to run into their classroom. Happy to hug their teacher. They came home happy and tired and each and every day they grew more confident.
My boys talk about how much they love their teacher (something they never did after nursery school) and that they love school. They tell complete strangers that they love school. (Alprazolam) It made my heart sing.
Last night I got a call from their school that there was a problem with the Ministry of Education inspection and the school didn’t have the appropriate license for children under 44 months. Apparently, the laws/regulations had changed and the current classroom set up and structure did not meet that standard.
So, my boys can’t go to school today.
In fact, we don’t know when they can return.
When they do return they will need to change classrooms, and teachers.
It will essentially be starting over (in my mind).
I am heartbroken and mad.
I know I made the right decision sending my boys to this school, but I am infuriated that this error by the school’s administration is hurting my boys.
How do I explain to them that their beloved teacher won’t be their teacher anymore even though she is in the classroom next door?
For now, I have told my boys that school is out early for Christmas. Too bad I know that next week is their Christmas concert that my boys can’t take part in.
My heart is broken. I sure hope the next days and weeks provide me with some answers.
I am left wondering what’s best for my boys’ now?
Oh, wow! :( That is so sad! I hope you find some answers. You’ll know the right thing to say to the boys when the time is right.
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Thanks Christine – I sure hope I will!
Oh Mama! That is terrible. Poor you and poor your boys. Especially when they are so close to the required age. 44 months seems like such a random number to me. You would think it would be 42 or 48 months. Is there anywhere that you can fight it?
I wonder if you could ask the school if your boys could take part in the Christmas concert since they had started preparing for it? Explain to the school how heartbroken you all are?
Good luck. Hugs!
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Thanks Crystal – the school is still in shock I think. I’ve told the boys the school’s on holiday for Christmas, they are young enough to believe me. We will have to sing extra loud at church this year!
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That’s horrible! That’s unfair to the kids, like you said they won’t be able to understand ministry regulations. Maybe just state the school had to take a break from classes for younger children for a while? I don’t know.
I was smiling when you said how much your kids love the school. It made me think of my 2.5 year old and our playgroup. It’s not quite the same since I stay but the teacher is amazing and we all love her.
I also don’t get the 44 months thing. Age 3 is 36 months and Age 4 is 48 months. Even 3.5 is 42 months. So why a weird number like 44 months?
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I know! The 44 months is infuriating. They seem to be happy being off school now. I’m going to try to find some great playgroups in our area so they can get extra stimulation and variety in their days.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..What’s Best for My Boys’ Now? Choosing the Right Education
Aww, this really sucks! After all the tears, they seemed to be settling in, only to have to tell them they can’t go there. Bad call on the due diligence front of that school. I hope you can figure out a solution soon!
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Thank you Crystal – at least my husband can work around it and be home for them. I can’t imagine the families that couldn’t.
Kerrie @ Family Food and Travel recently posted..What’s Best for My Boys’ Now? Choosing the Right Education
Oh no! There is nothing more stressful then deciding on childcare/schooling for your children. It is one of the biggest decisions you make as parents. I am so sorry that you and your boys have to go through this.
The one bright spot in all of this is that kids are pretty adaptable, and I hope they adjust well to whatever solution your find for your family
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Thank you Kate – it is stressful. Still no word – hoping to get good news soon!
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that really stinks, it must have been so very stressful. You always look to do the best for your kids, you just never know.
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What an oversight on the part of the school! I’m actually kind of shocked that something like this could even happen. I sure hope everything works out for you and the boys and you find another environment that is nurturing for them.
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that’s so hard :( I would be devastated too. i hope things are resolved in due time!
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I am so, so sorry. I am heartbroken for them & you. My son is 4 & in preschool and I know just how much school can mean to them at this age, so I can’t imagine what you’re going through. I hope somehow they get their old teacher back when they get to return!
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Sadly they definitely won’t get their old teacher back but just hoping this gets resolved before the Holidays so I can sleep better at night.
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Oh wow… they really didn’t know .. how could the not know? Any way it doesn’t change the situation that you are in does it. I know from experience that kids are really resilient when it comes to change. I hope everyone adjusts quickly to this new change.
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That is super crappy. I am so sorry to hear this. It does seem a peculair age cutoff at 44 months like Kathleen said. How odd. Honestly if the boys believe you that Christmas is out early then that’s okay. There’s no harm in that right now. I guess even though it’s small consolation – at least nothing negative caused that change. There have been too many sad tragic incidents that happened at various facilities that should have been shut down before tragedy happened. Wishing you luck getting through this period of time. Hopefully January will be better and some answers will materialize. Was it too many kids? Was it not enough staff? Wondering what the issue was exactly – as you must be also. The school personnel should be able to help guide you and your boys through this. They should be able to give all the kids some answers when, and if, they return. They will obviously need to address the change of teacher. Kids do really bond with their teachers, especially when they are kind, caring, professionals.
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Thank you so much – the issue is that the school is registered as a preschool and elementary school but not a daycare. They never had to have a daycare license until this time because they don’t have kids under 3 – so it’s new. I know the change of teachers will be held well, I just want to know when they can go back – it is driving me crazy not knowing!
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I am so sorry to hear this! I would be heartbroken too and I know my son would be. I have heard some laws are changing, so frustrating!
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Oh I’m so sorry to hear this, I can’t imagine how hard it must be to uproot them in the middle of the year. When my son (my first child) went to preschool, I didn’t give it much thought and just put him in a preschool that was fun, taught him social skills and the basics.. Then when my girls went, I was very picky and wanted them in a preschool that focused more on education. It was hard work, but I found a good one. I will pray that this situation works out for you and your boys.
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I think you handled it well by telling the kids that they are out early for Christmas. Hopefully this will resolve itself quickly and you can get them back to the place they really enjoy.
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Thank you Carlee – let’s hope it gets resolved soon.
OH no, I really hope this gets fixed soon. So sad.
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First off, indoor shoes caught my attention. What are these? Secondly, I just hate that this happened. I don’t know how a huge oversight like this happened but I’m so sorry. I hope you’re boys can find a great place to learn soon.
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I am sorry that you are mad and heartbroken. I hope this gets resolved for you.
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That really stinks, I’m sorry! Education is so important, especially at such a young age! I would be mad as well!
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I am not excited to start having to think about those things! Mine is 17 months :)
Oh no, I am so sorry! What a frustrating situation!
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I’m sorry to hear that this happened. I think that if changes occur in rules it shouldn’t affect kids who are already enrolled. It should only affect things moving forward. I hope things work out and you’re able to find a solution that you and your boys are very happy with.
I’m so sorry to hear that. I think that it’s the school’s fault and they should assume responsibility for it. It’s not the boys’ fault that they didn’t know all of their policies that they setup themselves. I just don’t understand the school districts of today. I think they should allow the boys to continue with their education. I hope everything works out and that they will be able to go back.
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