Kindy class sizes
Hi there amazing teachers,
Firstly, thanks in advance to everything you do!
Secondly, I’m after feedback on class sizes as my child is starting school next year. We currently have two options, as we’re moving rural.
I know it’s hard to give recommendations without lots of specifics but any feedback would be greatly appreciated!
My child is 5 in September, has only recently shown an interest in drawing/cutting/writing, has some speech issues (eg can sound immature due to basic sentence structure, esp when tired or hungry), social/emotional he does well at school but is a struggle at home eg easily upset, highly sensitive, needs a humorous/playful approach to engage sometimes. Has been screened by Paed/OT/SP at community health, no concerns for diagnosis atm but will keep an eye during the upcoming block of SP/OT. Querying Developmental Coordination Disorder but will also keep an eye.
Private school (8k tuition, essentially 11k with additions and increasing throughout) but class sizes capped at 20 (and remain so until year 5). External therapists allowed in but diverse learning needs support appears minimal. The school in general is well resourced, especially the library and STEM. In addition, the expectations are high and quite a few children seem high achieving eg playing 3-4 instruments. Space wise the facilities are more spread out and I know he’ll be the one they’re always stopping for the teacher to yell hurry up 😓 one upside is his uncle is good friends with the principals son and the principal himself
Local catholic school (3K tuition, not much for extras). Very much about community and families, embracing the child for who they are. Have a diverse learning needs support team and break out rooms off kindy space. Have a home corner/play items in the room for play based learning with social/emotional focus. However, they’ll have 3 classes with 31 students each. Teachers aide but not full time. School size is currently 430 but growing rapidly with nearby development. Construction works will occur for a number of years. Concerned about crowding and volume of children. Also common to do 2 masses per week 🫣
Love the vibe of the second school (minus the religion) and think they’ll meet him where he’s at better but concerned about time they’ll be able to spend and volume of children in the classroom. Flipside, the private is expensive and I’m worried they won’t be able to lean into fun/playful as much and will have higher expectations. They did have a better playground though with slides/swings/climbing/sandpit/cubby house. He seemed comfortable at both when we did the tours - enjoyed the play kitchen in catholic school and stem resources and library at private.
Thoughts on how we make this decision/what we need to know more about?
Thanks for reading this far!