We are about to move to Luxembourg and are trying to choose between two nurseries for a half-time place (mornings) for our son, who will have just turned 2.
The ratios seem to be much higher there, and I can't decide what to think:
Option 1 is 4 mins walk from the house, it has 18 children in the 2-4 age group with 2 carers.
Option 2 is 10 mins walk from our house. It has 15 children for 2 carers, but in the mornings the children aged 2.5-4 spend an hour doing the French kindergarten curriculum for about an hour, meaning 10 children to that teacher and 5 (aged 2-2.5) with the other carer. I'm not wildly fussed either way about the kindergarten business (DS1 enjoyed it in France from age 3, but I don't feel it's necessary at that age), but I do wonder whether the ratios would work better, especially with having more attention at the younger age and when he's just starting.
I won't be able to visit them before we move (or before enrolling) but DH liked both and thought both had good carer-child interaction. He slightly preferred option 2, but is also keen on the convenience of option 1.
How much weight do you think we should give to the ratios?