Kindy Questions for a newbie

Alyssa started Kindy this week (3 times a week, afternoon sessions).. And I have been told there is about 23 kids in that session and they have 3 teachers..although every day I have been there this week it seems only 2 of the teachers looks after this group and I don't see the other one. I am reasonably happy with how it goes in general and plan on dropping her off to be alone there next week.

The thing is, my mum went along to yesterday's session (since she will be picking Alyssa up), and her opinion is that there aren't enough teachers and that they aren't really watching the kids properly.. All because she saw a little boy with a pipe who hit another kid but no teachers saw it happen. I think she is a bit overprotective, and she thinks maybe I should consider private Kindy where she thinks there is more "care" for individual kids. Her ideas are based on taking me to private Kindy some 30 years ago!

I personally don't know the usual ratio of Teachers to kids at Kindy.. This is a public one, and I assume they are about the same? I don't feel like they are there to watch the kids like a parent would, just supervise. I know they get in and interact with the kids so while they are busy with some, then yes they are sure to miss some incidents.

What is the teacher/child ratio at your kids Kindy? What do the teachers at your Kindy usually do..as in, do they play with the kids or do they stand and watch to make sure everyone is ok?

our kindy is public and there is three teachers, plus the odd trainee (think there is 2 or 3 at the moment). The rule is one teacher is outside, one inside and the other a floater who goes where needed. they set up activities and quite often will sit at one of the activities (this is inside) and help when needed, they encourage the kids to write their name on their artwork, or do it for them if they cant yet. i certainly would expect them to do more than just stand and watch. the outside teacher pretty much goes where she is needed but they cant see everything and be everywhere. the idea behind kindy is that they learn through play so they dont actively teach but they do encourage them. when they go to mornings after they turn 4 it changes slightly tho to get them a bir more prepared for school. oh but they do have themes. at the boys kindy they are big into recycling and have worms and let the kids paint any outdoor equipment that is new or needs an update, gives them pride in their kindy...
oh and generally they try and teach the kids to approach a teacher if they have been hurt too, so even if they cant see everything they hear about it.

i have quite a good rapport with the head teacher at my kindy and always ask her if i think something is wrong...and she encourages that too. they like it when parents are involved.

novel over....

I like public kindys because of the unstructured play

Kindys have very high teacher to student ratios (which is one reason Issy & Eli won't go), however they usually have students or parents helping out so the ratio is lowered at some stages, however those helpers are more "babysitters" than teachers.

There are pros and cons to kindy so you have to weigh them up and decide whats best for you

Well I'm happy with how everything is going at Kindy and it seems to work out fine with 2 teachers. There are often parents around as well as a roster for parents to come in at least one day a term which is fine by me too.

Alyssa just loves going, and although she is generally a loner and likes to do things on her own -she looks forward to going and loves the activities available to her. I think they do a great job