Anonymous
02/03/2023 16:05
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
If the child is telling she is not happy then go back to the other family daycare. The first 3 years are important. She misses the interaction, socialization and group activities with her old friends and misses that group environment.
Anonymous
02/03/2023 16:03
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
Montessori isn't great. They used to not have play time outside and kids tend to have problems with socialization in the future.
It's a fact a small classroom helps children. Every child needs individual attention. I wish classroom should have more staff for kids like in centers, it's crazy.
I prefer family daycares and then they transcicion those big classes in kinder of 1 teacher. Awful.
Teachers deserves better pay and the assistants. We need more fundings for education, healthcare, our communities and more social programs
It's a fact a small classroom helps children. Every child needs individual attention. I wish classroom should have more staff for kids like in centers, it's crazy.
I prefer family daycares and then they transcicion those big classes in kinder of 1 teacher. Awful.
Teachers deserves better pay and the assistants. We need more fundings for education, healthcare, our communities and more social programs
Anonymous
02/03/2023 15:53
Subject: Re:Does preschool class size matter?
Anonymous wrote:If she's happy in her current environment, I would not switch for Montessori. We originally wanted Montessori but wound up in an Reggio Emilio program with about an 8:1 ration (16 kids, on teacher and one aide). It was a good place for her and she was happy. I think it was the right amount of 1:1 attention but also a big enough class for her to find a niche. I think often the hard things about a small class is that if your kid is an outlier in any way, they can feel lonely and excluded. But if your DD is happy in her current small class, I'd stick with it.
The only caveat is if there is turnover in the classroom. With just 6 kids, if 3 of them leave, the entire tone of the classroom could change depending on the kids who come in. So if there is some churn, I might seize the opportunity to move if I thought the other school would be great, and especially if I thought it would serve my kid's needs better over the long term. That was ultimately what we liked about our school. It was not an instant fit because my DD was initially very shy and felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the group (she'd just been at home before that, plus in a small playgroup on a very part-time basis for a bit). But the teachers were phenomenal and she grew into it, which was great because now she has all these social skills she didn't have before.
She says child is not happy with montessori and misses the small classroom in family daycare
Anonymous
02/03/2023 09:40
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
Go back to the old school. She misses her friend and it sounds lovely. Kids benefit from play based environment as well and not all do well in montessori. If your DH is into it, he can help incorporate some of the independence themes from the program into your home routines.
Anonymous
02/03/2023 09:35
Subject: Re:Does preschool class size matter?
My sons school is 11 kids 2 teachers (it’s usually 10 max.) I do think smaller classes are more beneficial. There are always a few kids that require more attention so the smaller the class the better.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 19:06
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
OP here. She's 3 and has been at the Montessori school since September. She attended her old preschool when she was 2. We switched because when she turned 3, she became eligible for many more preschools. Also, DH and his siblings all went Montessori preschools, and my in-laws think they learned a lot from the programs and highly recommended it.
DD still talks about a friend from her previous preschool. We tried to have them stay in touch via playdates, but the other family was simply too busy. DD isn't shy and we know she has friends at school. Her old preschool had a much better playground. It was a play-based program, and it had a sandbox, a fish tank, and plants in the classroom. Her class size that year was unusually small due to COVID, in part. I expect the class size for 4 year olds to be 8-12 students with a teacher and an aide.
DD still talks about a friend from her previous preschool. We tried to have them stay in touch via playdates, but the other family was simply too busy. DD isn't shy and we know she has friends at school. Her old preschool had a much better playground. It was a play-based program, and it had a sandbox, a fish tank, and plants in the classroom. Her class size that year was unusually small due to COVID, in part. I expect the class size for 4 year olds to be 8-12 students with a teacher and an aide.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 18:07
Subject: Re:Does preschool class size matter?
Her wanting to go back to her old school might be due to it being Montessori, not class size. Montessori is very different than typical preschools and not always the best fit for every child.
Obviously, we don't know your child, but it's something to consider.
Obviously, we don't know your child, but it's something to consider.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 15:06
Subject: Re:Does preschool class size matter?
How old is DD? Many children who are three or four can't articulate all of their feelings. Your daughter may miss the small class size, she may miss the more nurturing environment, she may just miss the familiarity that she felt at her last preschool...It may be about the class size, but it may also be other things is my point. How has her progress been at preschool? Have you had any other life events that may have thrown her off (new baby, move, etc.)? It may be disruptive to go back to her old preschool, but if you don't plan on sticking with Montessori past K than it might be easier to switch now since I have read that most Montessori programs like you to go for at least 2-3 years in the younger years and you wouldn't be going through the entire program anyway.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 15:00
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
Anonymous wrote:6:2 is a very uncommon class size. Most are 12-14:2 teachers. Why did you switch? Montessori is not great for everyone.
many states have mandated ratios at certain ages. In Connecticut, it's 1 teacher: 4 students for 2's preschool classes.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 13:02
Subject: Re:Does preschool class size matter?
If she's happy in her current environment, I would not switch for Montessori. We originally wanted Montessori but wound up in an Reggio Emilio program with about an 8:1 ration (16 kids, on teacher and one aide). It was a good place for her and she was happy. I think it was the right amount of 1:1 attention but also a big enough class for her to find a niche. I think often the hard things about a small class is that if your kid is an outlier in any way, they can feel lonely and excluded. But if your DD is happy in her current small class, I'd stick with it.
The only caveat is if there is turnover in the classroom. With just 6 kids, if 3 of them leave, the entire tone of the classroom could change depending on the kids who come in. So if there is some churn, I might seize the opportunity to move if I thought the other school would be great, and especially if I thought it would serve my kid's needs better over the long term. That was ultimately what we liked about our school. It was not an instant fit because my DD was initially very shy and felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the group (she'd just been at home before that, plus in a small playgroup on a very part-time basis for a bit). But the teachers were phenomenal and she grew into it, which was great because now she has all these social skills she didn't have before.
The only caveat is if there is turnover in the classroom. With just 6 kids, if 3 of them leave, the entire tone of the classroom could change depending on the kids who come in. So if there is some churn, I might seize the opportunity to move if I thought the other school would be great, and especially if I thought it would serve my kid's needs better over the long term. That was ultimately what we liked about our school. It was not an instant fit because my DD was initially very shy and felt a bit overwhelmed by the size of the group (she'd just been at home before that, plus in a small playgroup on a very part-time basis for a bit). But the teachers were phenomenal and she grew into it, which was great because now she has all these social skills she didn't have before.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 13:02
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
Montessori schools often have larger classrooms because they are run differently- older kids help younger ones, higher expectations of independence, etc.
How long have you been there? Could this be more about the transition to a new school than anything else?
How long have you been there? Could this be more about the transition to a new school than anything else?
Anonymous
02/02/2023 13:00
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
Anonymous wrote:6:2 is a very uncommon class size. Most are 12-14:2 teachers. Why did you switch? Montessori is not great for everyone.
+1 What are the pros/cons of both schools aside from class size? Based on your OP, it sounds like the smaller school might sometimes have larger classes anyway?
Anonymous
02/02/2023 12:59
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
I think that class size sounds overwhelming for that age. My 4yo is introverted and her class of 18 exhausts her and stimulates her to the max. Her teachers say she does best when they break into smaller groups and centers and the full class activities tend to overwhelm. I think 24 would be so noisy and busy.
That said, for some kids it would make no difference.
How long has it been? Maybe give it a few weeks if you can and see if she adjusts.
That said, for some kids it would make no difference.
How long has it been? Maybe give it a few weeks if you can and see if she adjusts.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 12:58
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
6:2 is a very uncommon class size. Most are 12-14:2 teachers. Why did you switch? Montessori is not great for everyone.
Anonymous
02/02/2023 12:24
Subject: Does preschool class size matter?
DD attends a Montessori preschool with 24 students and 8 teachers. Last year, she attended a small preschool with only 6 students in her class and 2 teachers. Their student to teacher ratio tops out at 6 to 1. DD says she misses the small school and doesn't want to go to the big school. The small preschool was also a lot cheaper. Should we stick it out with her current preschool or switch her back?