Nursery class of 74 :0

[tryingtobemarypoppins2]

DS about to move up to 'big' nursery from a room of 20 to a room of 74.

AIBU to be having a sudden panic? His nursery worker did say he did find his visits there a bit challenging during 'transition' times but "many do".....

AIBU to just not understand how this set up really works or is this the new way nurseries work now??

Are all 74 in room at once? Are they all over three = 10 adults? Or under 3 with 10 adults?

Why did you choose this nursery? [curious]

I meant; Or are some under 3 with more than 10 adults?

I'm just imagining it being HUGE!

74 kids in one room? How many adults?

How much chatter, mess etc all in one room?

I'd find it a bit challenging if I was 3 or 4 too.

It sounds hideous. Our nursery has a maximum of 12 children in each age group.

YANBU if you didn't choose this nursery, if you did then you knew what was coming.

Sorry, this room is for only OVER 3's and yes all in the same room.

The resources are amazing and it gets outstanding for everything. I looked around it when I was first pregnant as a teacher, but now I'm a mummy and my 'wants' have changed. Not sure what to do as I have a second baby in the under 3's too.

Look for another nursery?

Jesus. What do they do, stack then on shelves?

A 3 yo shouldn't find his every day setting challenging. I think it's time to research alternative child care.

I would ask to spend some time in the 3+ room to see what it's really like, and how it's organised.

Are they all there at once though?
My DD's nursery is not that big and has soemthing like 50 children on the books BUT some are before/after school only, some only do mornings, some afternoons etc, only the minority are there all day (like DD) I think the most I have seen all in theover 3's room 'at once' was over half term and there were something like 20 children with about 6 or 7 staff (they always overstaff)

Sorry but that is far far too many children in one room. Even if divided into smaller groups it is too much. How can that kind of set up be awarded outstanding?! My ds is super confident but I would not have him in a room full of kids that big

I'm a teacher and personally find this kind of setting Hell on Earth! They often occur in schools where nursery classes and Reception classes are put together, so all the children can mix, there are plenty of people to play with, etc, etc. Actually they were designed to save money, not be the best for the kids, as teachers were cut back on and there were more (cheaper) assistants instead. These days the rules about having to have enough teachers are a bit firmer, yet these places still exist because some people (including Ofsted it seems) assume they are 'good practice.' My view is that one of the reasons why people pay for private education is the smaller class sizes, which they can do because of money, and which would be better in state schools but because of costs of teachers aren't feasible. It depends on the child whether they sink or swim in them. Some kids are happy in them, others feel a bit lost. I remember hating play group because it was 'loads' of kids running around a big hall (I found out the other days it was only 25, but seemed like more to me!), and much preferred Reception because I got to be in a cozier, calmer, classroom (even though there were actually 5 more kids there than playgroup!). If you have to keep your son there then he might settle and be happy, you'll just have to see how it goes.

we have had a very positive experience with a similar setting.

In the school my ds and dd attend, the nursery and reception years are mixed, with 90 children in total in an open plan classroom.

It is not 'swampy' at all. The basic structures of the organization are 'carpet time' when they split into smaller 'classes' and also sometimes split receptions and nursery for the formal learning, and the free play time.

For free play, it is set up like a montessori setting, with activities laid out on tables. The kids choose what they do, whether it's sand or dinosaurs or cars or painting. Once they are into their activity they don't 'feel' the number of kids around them - only the two or three kids that are on the same table as them.

IME, the size of the setting leads to flexibility and opportunity.

Find a different nursery, no way can there be decent standards of care with that many children and adults in one space. No way. I'd be out like a shot.

Find another nursery.It sounds like intensive baby farming.Young children do not thrive in such large groups

Ouch my DS2 is 1 of 8

Found a fab preschool at a pre prep today, almost on my door step. Very keen to move him there as they except the free nursery places etc.

Picked DS up from other nursery today and was told he had had an ok day but was finding it difficult to share etc.... he always seems stressed when I collect him. We have had 1 incident of a bite in the past too. DH is a bit worried if he does this at a private prep he will be expelled?? I really feel though he feels stressed in there so moving him will help. WWYD?

maryz gosh poor DS, how did it effect him?

PS he won't be expelled for not sharing or being a pain would he???

That is terrible, sounds like he has come out the other side a great chap though! I know in my heart I have to move him but I am a bit scared of the private system (although it will only be for 2 years in nursery).....is there anything to be scared of?

How big is the room? It must be the size of a barn surely?

Our school nursery has 'free flow' between classes during certain parts of the day so there are potentially 120 children (4 classes)in the space. However, for most of the day they are in their own rooms (with 1 teacher, 1 nursery nurse and 1 Classroom Assistant per 30 children). I was concerned about how DD1 would get on (I didnt send DS as seemed too scary for him, he's August birthday and quite a nervous child anyway) but she loves it.

I think it can work in that there will be a number of adults around so it doesnt matter if your DS doesnt get on with one, or if someone is off sick or Annual Leave. But I am really struggling to contemplate the size of one space which is big enough for 74 children.

I was just gonna ask how big the room was

How on earth has ofsted allowed this? Surely there is a max for a room regardless of the size!

A barn is a good description! It is a very large open space. They had little spaces shut off with slidding doors for 15min group time ONCE A DAY with a key worker but apart from this its free flow.
His keyworker said at times, going from one activity to another he doesn't know what to do and runs up to others and shouts at them :(

The ofsted last year was outstanding. The learning is great, but the pastrol side worries me....although it got outstanding for this too, some parents are a bit ummmm well stand outside swearing, smoking and shouting at their kids.....I know I sound a snob.

The other nurseries I am thinking would be better (smaller calmer) haven't got outstanding......does that matter??