Who do you think you are?

We went to Finn's first "preschool" class yesterday. It is a class offered once a week through ECFE with a focus on Math and Science...I thought it would be right up Finn's alley. And it probably would be however the Child Educator was completely inappropriate. We've had her before in other classes and I was hoping, since this was a different age group, that she wouldn't be in that class. No such luck...but I really am/was open minded and figured I'd just deal with her. That didn't last long.

Finn is not interested in coloring, painting or crafts. I always encourage him to do these activities at class, but he wants to play with their toys or read books. Well, the CE came over and told me that Finn "had" to participate in at least two art table projects. I said he'd done one, I'd asked him repeatedly to do others and that he'd refused. I suggested she try if it were so important. To which she replied that perhaps he should move back down to the 2 year old class because he wasn't behaving appropriately for this age group! I couldn't believe it. He was doing nothing different than the other kids other than not coloring. I was so mad that I was seeing red, but again, I tried to give her the benefit of the doubt. Then, she came over later and told us moms that we needed to "play" with our kids by telling them that a bus was yellow and the cars go "in" the garage, etc. Seriously, lady?!?! I know my kid better than you do and Finn does NOT need me to explain these things considering he's known them for almost TWO YEARS. DON'T TELL ME HOW TO PLAY WITH MY KID!!!! And at circle time, she was practically yelling at the kids because they weren't doing things exactly how she was instructing them to. I really like the Parent Educator and I LOVE the location (it is the only one in NE MPLS and Finn could potentially go to kindergarten with some of these kids), but I don't think I can continue at this site with this child educator.

I called the main office and they suggested sending an email to the program director and also switching classes. There is another Math and Science class in North Mpls that has openings and I think I might switch to. We have regular ECFE class on Fridays, so we wouldn't NEED to have this second class, but since we aren't sending Finn to preschool, I thought it would be a nice compromise. Plus, Finn LOVES this location because they have a gymnasium and get to have play time in there every week (hello...bikes, balls, and other big toys...yes please!!) Argh! Why can't things just go as planned?!?! Sorry to vent, but it REALLY bothered me. Don't disturb momma bear or you'll see her wrath!