How many is too many? The class debate...

(NSW)

We went looking at schools today and the debate about class size has begun. How many is too many to a class (particularly foundation years)? Does this number change depending on how many classes are run per each year group? Does this number change depending on how big the overall school is?

Does the overall feel and impression of the school and teachers make larger class sizes more...Im not sure of the word... forgiveable?

Any thoughts appreciated.

In NSW Public Schools numbers in Stage 1 were to be

20 for Kindergarten students
22 for Year 1 students
24 for Year 2 students.

This has been partially abandoned under the local schools, local decisions model as Principals will have more power to decide things like class size. I definitly think its important! I teach in a high school and the difference between even 25 and 30 is HUGE! If I was comparing schools and they were quite similar in values and "feel" , class size would be a big factor.

My DD2 is in prep (kindergarten) and there's 20 in her class. DD1 has 22 and its a p/1 composite.

I like smaller classes

My daughter is in a small private country school (a few hundred in her entire school) and has 26 kids in her kindergarten year with her teacher and a teachers aid.

Dd goes to a catholic school and her kindy size is 30. They have 4 classes in each corner of a large room and have open learning where all the classes join together in the middle for some activities.

I would have prefered a smaller class but dd doesnt seem to mind

I know you were after a number, but class size and OKness also depends on the capability of the teacher.
DD1 has an excellent teacher. She had her last year too. Last year there were 22 kids in her transition class (kindergarten), this year with the other teachers in DD's year, several parents have asked to have their child transferred into this teacher's class. Currently there are 27. She handles it with ease and even though it's a composite class, no child slips through. However there are only 15 in another teacher's class in the same grade, and from what I have witnessed, that is too many for her.

112 students.

My ds is in prep - they have 20 in his class with 2 teachers and an assistant at any time (private school)
My ds2 is in 3yo kinder at the same school and they have similar numbers
Maximum class size for us is 24 with these same staff

For state schools or schools where they don't cap enrolments yes they will change and as a parent you won't have much control over class size. In DD's prep year there were 7 classes of 20. But if they had 135 enrolment they may have done only 6 classes. In grade 5 they have crept up to 5 classes of 26. Hers is the largest year level in the school and it is just a bit annoying logistically as the rooms are designed for 24 max so not enough bag hooks etc.
I agree the number does not mean much. It is teacher skill that is more important. Also the mix of children in the room. If a few children require much more of the teachers time, then that will be mOre of an impact than having lots of kids that are eager and able to learn. Sadly most of those things are out of our control as parents. So I think overall vibe and local reputation of the school is important.