School nursery question

[BurberryBlue]

SIL asked me to view local school nursery as dn is starting soon and wished second opinion.One thing that confused me - age range of children is from 2.5 to 4 years.Seems very broad range to me!Perhaps I'm just an old fuddy duddy but said children apparently sit down and learn,etc.Ratio of staff to children is not high therefore left me wondering how any learning takes place with toileting needs,nurturing,etc.

They learn from the activities they do surely rather than sit-down learning? Some nurseries split it so younger ones go in one session and older ones the other (i.e. am or pm).
They'll learn lots in a school nursery with a nursery teacher if my own dc's experience is anything to go on. In a private nursery they would have from about 6 months till school age.
What were you expecting it to be like?

I think my puzzlement came from the nursery worker instructing us that all children did the register every day with the correct 'yes Mrs XYZ' and I was trying to imagine a very young child doing this.

As far as I understand the nursery is run by a private company but within school grounds.

I haven't heard of that. I suppose a wee one could put their hand up! Or they are just practising really. Not sure why though.
Where I live a school nursery has the same head teacher and some of the same staff as the primary. This sounds quite different.

Yes perhaps a practice for them?The idea of such young ones sitting for register seemed a little strange!

The register is probably only about 5-10 minutes of their day. They'll go off and do painting, riding bikes etc afterwards. Didn't they show you any of the activities?

It is normal to have "circle time" to register and outline the session at the beginning then another to close. It establishes a routine, with a break midway for a snack and loo break. There may be a number of activities set up and changed during the session. There will be the same ratio of staff as any preschool/nursery although with fewer younger ones attending it may seem fewer overall. There is no obligation for dn to attend any nursery/preschool though, if your sil doesn't feel it would suit them.

A 2 and 1/2 year old should be capable of sitting down for a few minutes and answering to their name
Although, having said that, I don't do register time anymore in my nursery

The children don't actually benefit from it it's just for the adults.
We do a dance routine to Superman instead, much more fun.