Hi Jessica,
In CT group size is determined by our licensing regulations. I pulled out that section for you- hope it helps!
Karen
The operator shall maintain a staff adequate for the number, ages and developmental needs of the children to be accommodated. (1) A designated head teacher shall be on site for sixty percent (60%) of the time the child day care center or group day care home is in operation on a weekly basis. (2) There shall be at least two (2) staff eighteen (18) years of age or older on the premises when one (1) or more children are in attendance. The staff shall be available to care for the children. (3) All staff in the child day care center and group day care home shall have the personal qualities necessary to: (A) care for and work with children, (B) relate to adults, and (C) relate to the parent(s). (4) Proper staff child ratios shall be maintained at all times. (A) There shall be at least one (1) program staff person for every ten (10) children, or fraction thereof in attendance. (B) When there is a mixed age group, the lower required ratio for the age of the youngest child shall prevail. (C) When children are participating in swimming or wading as part of the program, whether at the facility or on a field trip, the following staff child ratios, at a minimum, shall be maintained at all times with the children: (i) all non-swimmers shall be clearly identified as non-swimmers in a way that is visually and easily recognized by lifeguards and staff; (ii) for infants twelve (12) months of age and younger, there shall be at least one (1) program staff person with every child who is in direct physical contact with the child; (iii) for toddlers under three (3) years of age, there shall be at least one (1) program staff member with every two (2) children; (iv) for preschool children (three (3) years to five (5) years of age) there shall be at least one (1) program staff member with every four (4) children; and (v) for school-age children there shall be at least one (1) program staff member with every six (6) children. (D) The operator shall be responsible for assuring the supervision of the children at all times while the children are at the facility, indoors or outdoors, or on field trips. At no time shall a child be left unsupervised. (5) Group size shall be maintained at all times. (A) The group size shall not exceed twenty children. (B) When there is a mixed age group, the smaller required group size shall prevail. (6) During nap time, when all of the children in the group are sleeping, the overall staff child ratios shall be maintained on the licensed premises. At no time shall a group of children be left unsupervised
19a-79-10. Under three endorsement (a) The operator of a program caring for children under three (3) years of age shall comply with section 19a-79-1a to section 19a-79-10, inclusive, and section 19a-79-13 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies. (b) A program caring for children under three (3) years of age is required to have a separate endorsement by the department. (c) Infants and toddlers (1) Age. Children from six (6) weeks to thirty six (36) months of age shall be considered infants and toddlers. (2) Ratio. There shall be at least one (1) program staff qualified under section 19a-79-4a(d) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for every four (4) children or fraction thereof in attendance. (3) Group size. The group size shall not exceed eight (8) children. (4) There shall be a physical barrier separating each group of eight (8) children, indoors and outdoors.
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Karen Rainville
Executive Director
CT Association for the Education of Young Children
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-14-2021 02:00 PM
From: Jessica Farmer
Subject: PreK class sizes
I'm curious, are Pre-K class sizes determined by State laws or local laws?
Could anyone here please send me your local class size law?
When I taught in TN it was 20 max, but I'm hearing some classes are larger.
Thanks in advance for sharing!
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Jessica Farmer
Pre-K Content Lead
QuaverEd
Nashville TN
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