For the first year St Joseph's school in Worcester will sell tickets for £1 each at three performances by young people in Key Stage 1, reception and nursery.
The school admitted it had received "mixed feedback" about the plans but insisted it was pushing ahead with the charge. Some teachers had been subjected to verbal abuse, the school said.
A letter to parents about the decision starts with the quote "God will give you strength for every battle, wisdom for every decision and peace that surpasses understanding".
Head teacher Louise Bury said she was hit with "extreme hurt and deep disappointment" when the story was leaked to local press by an anonymous parent.
She added: "I know that for some of you, paying to see your child perform doesn't feel right.
"With ever-tightening budgets and growing numbers, we saw this as an opportunity to be able to invest in some valuable reading and learning resources for Key Stage 1 and Early Years."
Health and safety reasons were also behind introducing a ticketing system, she said. The play at the school in Chedworth Drive, Warndon, could not fit all the parents in the hall at the same time.
