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The most successful preschool programs have small class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratios. While the statewide standard in Washington for ratios in preschools is one teacher for every ten students (1:10), high-quality preschools typically maintain even lower ratios.
It is vitally important for that number to remain low. Many studies have shown the correlation–beginning in preschool–between low child-teacher ratios and future positive outcomes for students. Committing to small classes and low ratios gives preschools the capacity to develop and nurture in each child a love for lifelong learning, provide the most stable academic foundation, and proudly send well-prepared students off to their formal education.
What does the evidence say?
Studies associate a high-quality pre-school education with a large increase in school readiness, and eventual higher graduation rates, and career success. All of that because of a foundation built in a high-quality preschool!
According to the Learning Policy Institute, “Having fewer students in a classroom and more staff facilitates high-quality interactions between teachers and children.” Seems like common sense, right? But let’s break that down.
Preschool students in the classroom
Remember, kids are starting preschool at all different levels. Some will be further along developmentally than others. Strengths vary for each one. We meet each child where they are.
It is crucial that teachers have time to give attention to and have meaningful interactions with each student, and low student-teacher ratios provide for such. This is a pivotal time to identify each student’s strengths and areas to improve, and can provide a great assessment for steering a child’s education in the years to come.
Many preschools focus on learning through play. Low student-to-teacher ratios allow for teachers to be embedded in small groups of playing students, making observations about each child’s learning style, supplying curriculum that supports growth, encouraging children to make deeper connections with the world around them by asking questions which further thought, and providing the tools for problem-solving and communication that prepare them for the rest of their lives.
Granting essential and purposeful attention throughout each day to each child is at the core of every high-quality preschool. Whether in the classroom, on the playground, chatting over lunch, or simply being there while a child completes a task on their own, a constant positive regard leads to faster cognitive and language development, easier transitions, and overall growth for each student.
Let us prove it
KIDSPACE boasts smaller student-to-teacher ratios in all our preschool classes (Chickadees – 1:8, Bluebirds and Robins – 1:9). We pride ourselves on our beautiful facility, fun curriculum, and most of all, our fantastic teachers. If you’d like to see small student-to-teacher ratios in action, we invite you to tour our school. We encourage you to observe how in each small group, teachers respond to students’ questions and needs while always maintaining the unique perspective of the preschoolers with whom they’re so lucky to play.
Are you getting ready to send your child to preschool? Give us at call at (360) 944-9300 to schedule a tour.
Our Chickadees, Bluebirds, and Robins leave the KIDSPACE nest ready for a successful academic career!