Preschool Average Group Size

[Doolittle1]

Hello

I would be grateful if anybody can share details on what a typical group size/ teacher/ assistant ratio would be for 2-3 year olds in good pre-school nursery. Is 1:8 normal as it seems very high? Many thanks.

What sort of setting are you thinking about?
Preschool for me is over 3s, where the ratios are 1:8 for childcare qualified staff. I think a qualified primary teacher can have more kids in their care - DS2 will be starting in a school nursery for 15 hrs a week in a group of 13 from september aged 3 1/2

For 2-3 yr olds, I think it's 1:4.

Ratios are 1-4 for 2 year olds
1-8 or 1-13 depending on qualifications for 3 and 4 year olds
It depends on the mix of 2 and 3 year olds and the qualificatuons na of the staff as to how many staff you need

Ours were the set ratios. 1:8 in private nursery with nursery staff. Larger in school preschool with teacher and TAs. It's fine. At that age they don't need such close ratios

OFSTED stipulates 1:8 for those in their Nursery year.... ie 3 -4 yr olds, unless there is a qualified teacher in charge, at which point it goes to 1:13

However, for 2 yr olds, there has to be 1 adult to 4 children
(1:3 for under 2s)