define tee shirts

[Angelhalo]

So what was her definition? To me, T-shirts are any kind of shirt that doesn't have a collar. It can be plain or printed. I have lots in different colors but are all plain. I wear them to school all the time.

Agreed anything cotton, with or without a print and without a collar is a tee shirt to me.

 

[RobinFabulous]

Maybe you have never worked in child care??

I completely understand what the OP is saying.

We asked over and over and over that the kids be sent in play clothes. We painted, we played with clay, dirt, mud whatever, we went outside and we played in the sand. WE GOT DIRTY! I had a little girl one year that was dressed to a "t" every day. Really cute, every thing "matchy-matchy"; and the little girl was miserable. She cried when we painted and wouldn't play outside (just stood in the center of the playground), all because Mom thought it was more important to look nice than it was to be able to be a kid.


Also, I am assuming all parents want their child's child care/preschool program to be clean. In child care that means cleaning with bleach. Clean with bleach enough, you get bleached clothing. Very frustrating when you are having to dress to a dress code. We never allowed inappropriate dress by our employees, but we wanted them comfortable and ready to "get down and get dirty" so to speak. I told many a preschool teacher, "if you cannot sit down on the wet, dirty ground and play with the kids; you are overdressed".

We had "wet and wild days" every summer. The kids would play under the water hose, play with water guns and bubbles. There were times that I sat right down on the ground and shot the water guns and blew bubbles. The kids loved it and I got lots and lots of hugs!! (the greatest pay for any child care professional)


OP, maybe your employer is trying to avoid t-shirts with inappropriate ads or sayings on them? If there really is a misunderstanding, I would simply ask for clarification. And I agree with you that short skirts and dresses that "show it all" are a lot more inappropriate than most t-shirts.

Did you work in daycare or preschool? Again... my dd's both attended a church run part day preschool. They were dressed to a "t" and neither ever had a problem getting dirty or playing. If they use bleach it's after the children have gone for the day. We've never had a "wet" day but if we did my child would be dresses appropriatley.

 

[disykat]

I have a totally different take on most of the stuff in this post. If I worked at a daycare, I would assume "no t-shirts" meant only "no t-shirts with words or logos." It would never even occur to me that a low pay, casual job where you will be playing outside, using paints, etc. would disallow plain, department store "tee-shirts."

Plain colored "teeshirts" are very common amongst even professional teachers here.

I also agree that sending young children to school in "dress up clothes" is not appropriate. Sure, some kids dress nicer than others - but all clothes should be appropriate for playing and doing crafts. To me, dress up clothes implies they are your nicest clothes you aren't allowed to play in.

 

[flying_babyb]

I aggre with PP. I never wore word tees (ok the green bay gamblers one once for sports week). They bought smocks to keep us clean when painting. Yea that works when you end up with lunch on you or paint from someone touching your back (I teach 3-5 years).

 

[saratogadreamin09]

I think any shirt with short-sleeves and a crew neck are t-shirts.

 

[RobinFabulous]

I dont like my job, thats a well known fact, Neither do most of the other teachers. But I love the kids, I go to work everyday for them, they need me.

That's very sad. I'd hate to know that someone spent a good bit of the day with my child and didn't like the job

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I have a totally different take on most of the stuff in this post. If I worked at a daycare, I would assume "no t-shirts" meant only "no t-shirts with words or logos." It would never even occur to me that a low pay, casual job where you will be playing outside, using paints, etc. would disallow plain, department store "tee-shirts."

This is exactly what I thought...no t-shirts with Rolling Stones or Beavis and Butthead on it.

 

[flying_babyb]

its not so much the job but some of the other teachers. I love the kids, thats the only thing that matters. I love the daily routines, I love what I do in the classroom, I just dont like some of the other teachers.

 

[mjantz]

I've worked in preschool for over 10 years & rarely wear a t-shirt unless its the school shirt that's provided by my workplace. I wear a lot of button ups with tanks underneath & short sleeve v-neck tops that tie in the back with a tank or cami underneath.

Shirts like this: Surplice top or polo shirt are inexpensive and look great.

For me, the upside is that because I've been dressing in non-tees for years, now that I'm looking to more into a job where I need to dress a little nicer its not going to cost me as much money because I've already built up a pretty nice wardrobe.

 

[PrincessKsMom]

its not so much that she asked. I think its crap that shes let others get away with it for year. Yes I may ocationally wore a shirts that I knew were tees but I was good. I wasnt the teacher in the mini skirt or the dress that showed all. The shoe this is so annoying, clean shoe fine, but polished? thats a bit much. If anything she should be complaining about all the sandels were not suposted to wear on the playground that all the teachers (minius us few sneeker wearers) do.
Humm according to old navy most of my shirts are ok. Darn no more police fridays (kids will be sad, they love my police tee).

she told everyone in a email. It drives me nuts that shes bringing this up now. This place has been open 20+ years and now its policy grr. I wont even comment on parents who dress there children in good clothes insted of play clothes.....

I aggre with PP. I never wore word tees (ok the green bay gamblers one once for sports week). They bought smocks to keep us clean when painting. Yea that works when you end up with lunch on you or paint from someone touching your back (I teach 3-5 years).

I'm thinking you might have worn t-shirts more than you realized. You did say you wore your police t-shirt every Friday.

And I think some people are missing the point -- it's not what the children wear, it's how you indicated you would comment about the parents. Exactly what were you going to say about the parents? Obviously nothing good if you wouldn't elaborate.

So you don't like the dress code, you don't like the new shoe rule, you don't like the other teachers, and you don't like the parents? Sounds like it's time to move along to another line of work.

 

[disneyjunkie]

So you don't like the dress code, you don't like the new shoe rule, you don't like the other teachers, and you don't like the parents? Sounds like it's time to move along to another line of work.

 

[C.Ann]

So you don't like the dress code, you don't like the new shoe rule, you don't like the other teachers, and you don't like the parents? Sounds like it's time to move along to another line of work.

I agree.. It doesn't sound like a very good "fit" at all and I don't see how that kind of attitude can't be picked up on by the kids.. Even pre-schoolers are very intuitive..

 

[disneyjunkie]

I agree.. It doesn't sound like a very good "fit" at all and I don't see how that kind of attitude can't be picked up on by the kids.. Even pre-schoolers are very intuitive..

I'm sure the parents have picked up on it as well.

 

[flying_babyb]

Fridays used to be casual. I like most of the parents, theres only one I have a issue with and her kids not in my class. I didnt say I didnt like the dress code, I said I didnt agree with it, but hey its fine, I do what Im told. Its the teachers that cause the issue. SOme of them need a real attuide adjustment. Actully Im one of the parents favorite teachers.

 

[luvsJack]

Did you work in daycare or preschool? Again... my dd's both attended a church run part day preschool. They were dressed to a "t" and neither ever had a problem getting dirty or playing. If they use bleach it's after the children have gone for the day. We've never had a "wet" day but if we did my child would be dresses appropriatley.

I was the director/4K teacher at a child care center for 12 years. The parents were told time and again to all the children to wear play clothes because they were going to get dirty.

I was referring to the employee's clothing with the bleach.

The kids usually put on swim suits when we had our "wet and wild" or "splash" days but I didn't--it would have been hard for me to get in there and play with the kids if I had to dress "professionally". And sometimes we would decide to go out and play in mud puddles or play with bubbles "just because". Things like that are great learning tools for kids. They need to experience nature by touching it as well as seeing it and they need all types of sensory experiences (like the feel and the smell of mud) and it all works better if the kids can experience it without worrying about their clothes.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Fridays used to be casual. I like most of the parents, theres only one I have a issue with and her kids not in my class. I didnt say I didnt like the dress code, I said I didnt agree with it, but hey its fine, I do what Im told. Its the teachers that cause the issue. SOme of them need a real attuide adjustment. Actully Im one of the parents favorite teachers.

Are you a teacher or an assistant? Are you certified?

 

[luvsJack]

The gossip and attuide of some of the other teachers. I work hard to keep my personal feelings out of the classroom. My children have fun and love being at school. One of the main problem teachers may be leaving for a job elsewere so it may change. I love the kids thats whats important.

Ok, gotcha. I hate it when grown ups act that way too. I work in an office now and the women are constantly gossiping about each other and acting jealous of each other. It drives me crazy.

If you really love what you do, you have two choices. Either look for work in another child care center or learn to look over your co-workers. That is what I have learned to do. I love my job. Love helping students, love the time off, love my boss. So, I let the petty co-workers be the petty co-workers and go about my business doing the best job I can do. And for the most part I stay happy with my job.

I also have co-workers that do not dress within the given dress code (actually it is the same co-workers that gossip, etc). For whatever reason they do not think it applies to them. At first it drove me crazy!! But, I realized that was only hurting me so I accept them the way they are and continue dressing in what I know is the appropriate dress according to my boss.

You just gotta do what keeps you happy in your work environment.

 

[luvsJack]

Are you a teacher or an assistant? Are you certified?

Why exactly does that matter? Some of the very best childcare professionals teach preschool and are not certified teachers. And after seeing the way the certified teachers dress at dd's school; I don't think it has any bearing on what dressing professional means either.

 

[flying_babyb]

luvs makes a good point. Does it matter if im certified? I am certified, Im actully lead teacher qualified, two classes away from an assocites degree.

 

[luvsJack]

luvs makes a good point. Does it matter if im certified? I am certified, Im actully lead teacher qualified, two classes away from an assocites degree.

Good for you! Maybe getting your associates degree will give you some other job opportunities in the child care field.