Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-09-2018 09:06 AM
    Hi All,

    I teach in a public school in an integrated preschool classroom.  The students in my classroom are 3-5 years old.  I am looking for information to determine the correct student staff ratio.  I have researched and have not found a definitive answer which addresses the multi age and combination of peers and students with special needs. Any thoughts or directions would be helpful.

    Thank you!

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    Kathleen Bischoff
    Bethel CT
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  • 2.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-10-2018 06:29 AM
    Hello,
    I know that in Minnesota, when you have a mixed age group, you are supposed follow the ratio for the youngest children in the group. I do not know if there are guidelines for inclusion classrooms.

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    Paula Salmela
    Cold Spring MN
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  • 3.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-11-2018 07:44 AM
    Hi Paula, this is Cindy Croft and I work with the Center for Inclusive Child Care in MN. In rule 3 programs in MN, it doesn't matter if the programs serve children with disabilities when it comes to ratios. It is assumed that all programs in rule 3 and rule 2 are inclusive because of the Americans with Disabilities Act. But to your point, the number of children with a disability or on an IEP does not change the ratio, it still by age.
    I do not know what or if there is a ratio in the ECSE preschool classrooms operated out of the school districts.

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    Cindy Croft
    Center for Inclusive Child Care
    Saint Paul MN
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  • 4.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-11-2018 08:38 AM
    Hello Friends,
    This is my first post, ever!  Although I may not be qualified to answer this question, I would like to add comments from my experience.
    I've worked in ECSE, T-K, and integrated preschool classrooms for the past 18 years. I am now a college instructor for pre-service teachers.  I tell my college students that as an ECSE teacher, I believe the biggest struggle I faced in determining staff ratios in an integrated program was considering what percentage of the class was on IEP's and making sure the IEP's were implemented correctly.  The IEP's need to be written well and read carefully, ensuring that assistance is provided as described... not too little and not too much. Teachers and parents need to be advocates for keeping the ratios at a level that is appropriate.
    Thank you,
    Heidi

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    Heidi Douma, BS,MA
    Instructor in Elem. Ed., Spec. Ed., & EC Ed.
    Director of Northwestern College BAEC Online Degree Program
    Orange City, IA
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  • 5.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-10-2018 01:34 PM
    ​Each state has their own guidelines.  PA are permitted 10 to 1 for 3 year olds.  When in Pre-K (4-5)  it can be 1 to 12.  Their in no % of IEP students for integration.  I work with 2 reverse mainstream classes and they are about 1/4  IEP; 3/4 Typical.  Preschools in PA are private.  So the guidelines is what they make them when it comes to IEP students.

    Not a huge help- Sorry

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    Deborah Montgomery
    EI On-going Case Manager
    MCIU
    Collegeville PA
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  • 6.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-11-2018 07:30 AM
    Pa ratios are:  1 to 4 for infants
    `                       1 to 6 for toddlers
                            1-10 for 3 to 5 year olds.
    The Pa doesn't have different regulations  for ratio when children with special needs are included, they are the same as the above list.

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    Diane Hendrick
    Coordinator
    WCCC Campus Children's Center
    Latrobe PA
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  • 7.  RE: Student Staff Ratio for Integrated Preschool Classrooms

    Posted 06-11-2018 12:18 PM
    Here in WA, licensing standards are as follows: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=170-295-2090

    Also, at least in the program I work in, if a classroom has 50% or more 3-year-olds, the group size decreases to 17 instead of 20, but ratio of 1:10 remains the same. 

    My understanding is that because it is the responsibility of the local school district to provide IEP services for qualifying children, there is no impact on the ratios in a child care setting. Multiple children may be on an active IEP, but their IEP would be written (and served in) for a developmental preschool setting, where the ratios are likely different anyway. 

    Hope that helps!

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    Melissa McPheeters
    Tacoma WA
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