Regulations
What regulation number covers supervision in after-school programs?
414.8 - Supervision
Name one of the six active supervision strategies.
positioning, scanning, listening, counting, anticipating, or engaging
What’s wrong here: A child is in the corner alone for 20 minutes?
lack of engagement or failure to scan/check-in
What are the common high-risk areas in most program rooms?
doorways, bathrooms, corners, and play structures
What’s one quick tip for staying alert while supervising?
keep moving, count often, or engage with kids
True or False: You can leave a child briefly if they’re within earshot.
False – Children must be in sight and sound at all times.
Which strategy means watching with your ears?
Listening
A staff member is on their phone during free play. What should they do instead?
put the phone away and interact with or observe the children
Why are transitions tricky for supervision?
children move quickly, distractions happen, and ratios can slip
Why avoid your phone during program time?
it takes your attention away from the children
What does “maintain ratio” mean under 414.8?
What is ensuring the correct number of staff per group of children, based on age and group size?
Elementary - In-House 1:10 Outside 1:5
Middle - In-House 1:15 Outside 1:10
What’s the difference between “positioning” and “scanning”?
Positioning is where you stand to see kids; scanning is constantly looking and checking the environment.
A child runs out the door. What do you do?
alert staff, follow protocol, and maintain supervision of the group
How would you utilize positioning in an open gym setting?
spread out to cover all corners, avoid clustering, stay mobile
Why is counting children regularly important?
to ensure no one is missing or has wandered off
Name one consequence of violating 414.8 supervision rules.
site violation, child injury, or program closure
Which strategy involves foreseeing potential problems before they happen?
Anticipating
Two staff, 20 children, bathroom break needed. What now?
split the group appropriately or request coverage while keeping ratios and visibility
Why is scanning important even while seated?
to stay aware of all children’s behavior and safety
What’s a nonverbal cue that a child may need help?
crying, withdrawn body language, isolating, or facial expressions
What must staff do during indoor AND outdoor activities?
actively supervise all children at all times
Describe a time when engaging helped you supervise better.
Open-ended
Describe a supervision plan for busy pick-up time.
designate zones, assign staff, keep count, and stay visible and alert
Sketch a room and place 3 staff for ideal supervision.
Open-ended - Zones are covered and blind spots adressed
What’s your personal strategy to stay alert while supervising?
Open-ended (sample: I walk the space every 5 minutes and check each child.)