I don't know about next year yet, but for the last three years we've had two teachers and three TA's for two classes of 30 children. Next year is a bit up in the air as we've been earmarked for possible expansion to 90.

I will be pushing for obviously one extra teacher but also two additional TA's. This would help maintain the very fortunate staffing levels we've been enjoying!! Worst case scenario would be getting one teacher and no TA's because that would be two staff in each class.

I'll have 30 children in Reception. It also looks like Nursery will be full with 26, and then more starting in the afternoons throughout the year. In Reception there is a teacher (me) and a full time TA (Nursery Nurse). In Nursery there is a teacher and a Nursery Nurse. We also have an extra TA who we share. With PPA / management time / college release time it works out as 5 staff for 2 days and 4 staff for 3 days for the whole FS.

In our Early Years Unit whuch has a 30 place am only nursery -1 teacher and 3 keyworkers ( 2 keyworkers work in the afternoons to cover flexible entitlement)   and in reception- 1 teacher and 2  full time keyworkers  

If we go to 1 intake for nursery then we will need 4 keyworkers for nursery to reduce the ratio down due to age of the youngest children

Littlestones

Thanks for all your replies. I am in a single reception class and am keen to know who you would organise 30 children with one teacher and one t/a

I have 31 children in my class with one TA who works 3 full days and 2 mornings. Another member of staff covers my PPA. I am fortunate to have a very experienced retired NNEB who helps out 3 days a week, and what a difference her input makes. We also tend to have a student at some point throughout the year. We can have 5 adults in the class sometimes which can be great! But on the days when it's just me and my TA, although a great team, we are run off our feet!

 our class has one teacher and one t.a. this works with hard work and organization.

the time that the struggles begin is when you reach the point in the year when children who need extra help need to be taken into smaller groups and children who are more advanced need to be helped on .With freeflow play inside to out this becomes difficult .

 

I have myself and a nursery nurse in my nursery class. 26 on a morning and also on an afternoon. Finding this really difficult as new April starters have come in with very low PSED... and a couple of EAL children also. Need to carry out focus activities and also have children outdoors, as well as free flowing with Late Foundation. I need someone to sit with my new starters to teach them how to play!!!!! Any ideas VERY gratefully received!!!!

 I agree, we have 2 classes of 30 each with 1 teacher and 1 full time ta but maintaining free flow and everything else that needs doing can be a time struggle

20 children in Reception class, one part-time TA. Don't get much done :-(

We have 60 place nursery with one teacher and four keyworkers. The class teacher covers each keyworker group of 15 children one full day a week and has one day PPA . We work on a very tight time table and rotation of each area of learning throughout the week. Its hard work but very productive.

32 children in reception - 1 TA part of the day (I am on my own for about an hour a day + 3 different TAs throughout the week) = arararararggghhh!!!!!

Hi Caramel

30 children, one teacher one full time ETA.  As you said, not always easy if you want free access to indoors/outdoors.

I try to take a common sense approach.  To begin with lots of adult support and guidance how to play independently and access resources appropriately whilst one adult assesses for on entry.  Then I gradually start to plan adult directed tasks for both inside and outside but change them if needed.  We also read with the children every week but again, this can be done either inside or outside, weather permitting.  At this time of year I plan for less adult directed so that I have time to assess. 

I think the key is to do what works for you.  Try out different things and don't be frightened to change them if they don't work.  All classes are different and you won't really know what works until your new children are in and you give it a go. 

Hi we have 2 reception classes and am/pm nursery a (26 children each session) in one unit so that is over 100 a day or around 79 am and pm but only because our reception classes are not full1 if they were we would have 86 each session. we have 3 teachers and 3 LSP's, 2 children in nursery have support in the morn and 1 in the afternoon but they will be in reception in Sept and may not have full time support -- god help us!!!!!!!!!!!!! W are expected to do free flow inside and out all day, cover all areas, do adult led and obs as well as good child initiated play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a class of 20 children, 12 of which are summer borns.  I was initially allocated 0 TA hours while the Yr 1 and 2 classes with less children, and older, enjoyed almost full time TA support!!

I managed, to get my TA hrs up to 9 hours by Spring, and now manage to have morning TA support.  Still not enough, and a struggle to provide indoor outdoor flow, and get all the necessary aspects covered. 

Sympathise! I have anything up to 18 and usually no TA at all!!! In September we will have 19 reception and 12 year1 with some access to outdoor provision. After reading comments feel justified in putting my foot down for a TA but will be taken from SEN and intervention groups further up! No money!!

Thank you all for your comments. It seems that head's want miracles from reception teachers. I believe they are reviewing the number of staff members for reception. Let's hope they realise that more staff will lead to better quality of provision.