AIBU to think that 30 toddlers in a nursery room is too much?

[GivemeCatsntheBeach]

I have to decide between 2 nurseries (the little Hummingbird nursery and the Tiddley Tots nursery, both in Hoddesdon). In one, the toddler room has 25 kids, going to 30 soon. The room is big, but I just think it’s too many kids and worry that my 2yo won’t be able to nap :/
On the other hand, in the other nursery I have to provide the food for the whole day, which I find it very annoying 😅 AIBU?

As someone who has worked in nurseries, a toddler room of 25-30 would be an immediate no for me if I was looking for a job.

I guess it depends on how many staff they have and the set up. My daughters nursery probabaly had abou that many but it was a really big room, had a little separate sleeping area and a massive outdoor space which they used in all weather.

OP I would think of it as - would YOU want to be in that room with 30 toddlers every day? Personally I'd find that massively overstimulating. Kids also tend to get overstimulated even quicker than adults do - so it would be a hard no from me if I was choosing a place for my DC

The ratio is fine, is 1:5, but it just feels too many kids in one room, even if it’s big. And they have to sleep in there too, no separate room which I’m worried as my 2yo isn’t a great sleeper, specially if there’s lots going on around her (although she might accept sleeping if the others are going as well).

I wouldn't fancy either, but making all the food would be a hard no. Are there no other options?

A room of 30 for the oldest ones wouldn't bother me, but it sounds very busy at 2 years old. What ages are in there?

I'd pick the smaller group size if the staff are nice.

big no from me. Not in the UK, but when my son was young we visited one place that had a lot of kids in a big room. I didn't count the children, but it sounds similar, good staff ratio, but just everyone in a big space together. Honestly, the visit was chaos.. crying, noise, things all over the place, it felt like a holding pen/zoo for kids, rather than a nice environment.

Sounds like a great place for diseases to spread.

When checking out nurseries, be sure to ask what airborne mitigations they have in place (not just cleaning surfaces) - many illnesses are spread through the air when infected people breathe out. Like flu, RSV, whooping cough, covid. The nursery should prioritise ventilation with open windows, extractor fans, and should be running air purifiers sufficiently powerful for the space. They should also keep sick kids off. With 30 kids in a room, the potential for mass infection is high.

I actually just asked about he windows and ventilation as well as now thinking back o can’t remember if they had any type of ventilation!

The room is 2-3 years old. It felt busy but they also just had finished an activity so it was the good kind of busy I hope 😅