The Nest Guidelines for Classroom Volunteers

We are grateful for your help. The intent of these guidelines is to help all of us work together as a community to support the children.

What does a classroom volunteer do?

Routines
It is so helpful to have an extra set of hands during the transitions of the day. Volunteers can help with getting ready for the park and getting unbundled when we return. Volunteers often help children in the bathroom and/or help to set up, pass out, and clean up snack.  Children often need support during cleaning up times and at the end of the day to get organized to go home.

Park
Volunteers may help the group stay together on the walk to and from the park by holding hands with a pair of children and may play with, chat with, and supervise children as they play at the park.

Circle Times
Please join us on the rug if you are able.  We would love it if you would sing along with us and participate in the rhymes.

Activity Time
The teachers will talk to you when you arrive or at park time about what you can help with during activity time.  Usually a parent helps to teach or play a game with small groups of children or helps to lead an art or activity or other project.  The children always love to be read to and you should feel free to offer to read a book to a child or small group during activity time. 

What will it be like for my child while I am in the classroom?

Some children just delight in having a family member at school and have a very strong day in your presence.  Others become clingy, find it difficult to share you with others or suddenly struggle in ways they do not normally struggle at school. Please know that whatever your child’s response, it is normal.  And if your child is having a very hard time, we will cooperate with you to make the situation comfortable for you both.  Often it is helpful for parents if teachers step in and direct the child and we are happy to do that.

How do I know what the expectations are?

Rather than provide you with a list of expectations, we just ask that you look to the classroom teachers and follow that lead.  If the teachers are using quiet voices, please do so too.  If the teachers are asking children to try zipping up their own coats, please allow children to try to be independent and provide encouragement for them.  If anything seems unclear, please ask!  There should always be at least one teacher available to answer a question and there are no dumb questions. 

Conflicts
If you observe a conflict among the children, please intervene to preserve safety and peacefulness and then notify a teacher right away about what is going on.  The teacher will then step in to help the children resolve the conflict or to provide any further direction needed in the situation.

Confidentiality
We ask you to maintain confidentiality with us.  As a classroom volunteer, we view you as a member of our team and you will be introduced to the children as a teacher.  It may be necessary to share information with you that will help you know students well enough to support each one well as you work with them all.  We ask you to keep that information confidential.  In the same way, if you notice a behavior or situation that concerns you, please bring that concern to the lead teacher of the classroom.  Please also allow the teachers to be the ones who communicate with families of other children about any struggles during the day.

Discussing your own child
If you want to speak with a teacher about your child, please request a conference or phone call and be prepared to discuss the matter outside of the school hours.  It is difficult for the teachers to address these kinds of questions while they are with the children.