What’s The Perfect Size For A Preschool Class?

If you have too large of a preschool class size it will be chaotic. Too small of a class and you may not make much money, so what is the perfect size for a preschool class? This post will help you discover that sweet spot for determining your preschool class size.

How Do You Decide How Many Students Are Best For Your Preschool Class?

There is no hard and fast formula for determining the perfect size for a preschool class. If you have no experience with teaching preschoolers it is probably best to start with no more than 6 students, but if you are a seasoned Kindergarten teacher you may be able to easily handle more students than that. Ultimately, you are the only one who can decide the best class size for your preschool. The best way to choose your preschool class size is to determine what size class you are comfortable teaching.

The Two Factors That Determine The Size Of Your Preschool Class

There are two factors that will determine the perfect size for your preschool class: your own confidence level in being the teacher and the size of the space you have for your preschool. If you are confident in your ability to manage a classroom of 3-5 year old’s, keep them engaged in the activities, and actually be able to teach them well, then you may be able to handle a class size of 10-12 students. (Although we highly recommend you cap your class sizes at 10.)

The other factor to consider, though, is the space you have available for your preschool. For preschool licensing requirements there is a limit somewhere around 30-35 square feet of space per child. You can calculate the square footage of your home by measuring the walls in the rooms that may be available for use by your preschool.

Typically, these rooms are the living room, kitchen/dining room, and any bedrooms you may have available for use. (You cannot use hallways, the bathroom, or any other rooms that are not available for your preschool, like personal bedrooms.)

For example if your kitchen/dining room measures 10×12, your living room measures 10×10, and you have play room available for your preschool that measures 8×10, the total square footage available for your preschool would be 120 + 100 + 80 = 300 square feet divided by 35 square feet per child = 8.57 or a maximum class size of 8 children.

How Big Should You Tell Parents Your Class Will Be?

In our example you could have a class size of 8 children, but you’re new to teaching preschool and you think the most you will be able to handle is 4 students. But that’s okay, you think, I’ll start out with 4 and end the year with 8 students as I gain more confidence. This is not a good strategy.

If you plan to cap your class sizes at 8 students (or whatever number you choose) always tell your preschool parents up front what your maximum class size is. If you eventually plan to allow 8 students into your preschool, tell the parents at the beginning of the school year that your maximum class size is 8 students. Never change your maximum class size during the school year. Parents base their decision to enroll their child into your preschool based in part on your class sizes and if you raise that number in the middle of the school year your parents may revolt.

Always start off the school year by telling your parents what is the perfect size for your preschool class and then stick with it all year long.