5.3.08
Child Supervision
Child Supervision
Shasta Head Start staff must maintain ratios and supervise children at all times. Community Care Licensing and Head Start Performance Standards both have written standards regarding child supervision.
It is every Shasta Head Start employee’s responsibility to uphold the Child Supervision Policy.
Violation of the Child Supervision Policy may lead to immediate termination.
- Refer to the Child Supervision Policy when providing on-site child supervision training.
Active Supervision
Children learn best when they are in safe, well-supervised environments. Head Start staff can reduce the possibility of a child getting hurt when they closely observe children and respond when needed. When programs think systematically about child supervision they create safe, positive learning environments for all children.
- Learn more about Active Supervision
- Active Supervision Training Form
Zoning to Maximize Learning
Zoning is an effective practice to help teachers manage the placement of staff in the classroom. This practice can also be used to create well-organized classrooms.
- Learn more about Zoning
Head Teachers and Site Supervisors will conduct the trainings on Zoning to Maximize Learning (see Zoning links below) and Active Supervision annually prior to the first day of the Program Year. In addition, Head Teachers and Site Supervisors will conduct the training on Active Supervision the first day back from Winter and Spring Breaks.
Zoning (Materials for Trainers):
- Outline Zoning to Maximize Engagement
- Zoning Presentation
- Zoning Lake Playground
- Zoning Presenter Notes
- Zoning Video
Learning Activities (Handouts for Participants):
On-Site Child Supervision Training
On-Site Child Supervision Training is completed to ensure that new and transitioning education staff are trained in child supervision before they begin work in the classroom. The Head Teacher or Site Supervisor will complete the training for all classroom staff working at their site, prior to the employee working in the classroom. Area Managers will conduct this training for all new and transitioning head teachers and site supervisors.
- Supervisors will use the Child Supervision On-Site Training to guide them through the training
- Training includes a walkthrough of practices including taking attendance and head counts, zoning, scanning, managing transitions, Bathroom Procedures, the Safe and Appropriate Release of Children, Personal Rights, Discipline Policy and ratios.
- The employee’s signature and date completed is written on the bottom of the form. Completed forms will be maintained on site in the supervision binder
Important note: Supervisors will review the training with employees at the beginning of each school year and as needed based on monthly Child Supervision Monitors.
Child Supervision Monitoring Checklist
The Child Supervision Monitoring Checklist is completed to ensure that direct supervision of children and adult/child ratios are maintained at all times. An Area Manager, Head Teacher, or Site Supervisor will complete the checklist for each classroom one time per month.
- Note: Teaching staff will not monitor their own classroom.
To complete the checklist, read each item and observe the practices in the classroom. Check the box “Yes” or “No” based on your observation. Add comments as needed. Create a plan of action for any item marked “No” or if there are any related concerns. . The plan of action must include daily or weekly monitoring by the supervisor until the issue is no longer a concern. The Child Supervision Policy can be used as a reference to complete the checklist.
Notify the Area Manager immediately when a plan of action is created. Scan the completed checklists to the Child Supervision folder and your Area Manager, check off on the Head Teacher/Site Supervisor End of Month Checklist. Keep the original form on-site with the copies of monthly paperwork. If any question was answered “No”, keep the form in the supervision binder to use for follow up.
References
- Child Supervision Policy
- Infant Qualifications and Ratio Chart
- Toddler Qualifications and Ratio Chart
- HS Qualifications and Ratio Chart
- On-site Child Supervision Training
- Child Supervision Monitoring Checklist
- Safe and Appropriate Release of Children
- Emergency Permission card
- White Board Template
- White Board Labels
- Online Resources: