Eyes-On Basics
This means always being able to see all children in your care at all times.
What is active supervision?
Standing in one place for long periods instead of moving around is called this (and it’s not effective).
What is “zoning out” or passive supervision?
A child playing alone in a corner without staff awareness is an example of this.
What is lack of supervision?
Before moving children from one area to another, staff should always do this.
What is count children?
Scanning the group every few seconds helps prevent this.
What are incidents or unsafe situations?
If you can’t see a child, you should do this immediately.
What is move/reposition yourself?
Staff should position themselves near these areas where risk is higher.
What are high-risk areas (doors, playground equipment, bathrooms)?
Running indoors without staff intervention shows a failure to do this.
What is actively monitor behavior?
This should happen both before and after every transition.
What is a headcount?
Engaging with children while supervising helps you do this better.
What is stay aware/connected?
This type of area requires extra attention because children can’t be easily seen.
What is a blind spot?
This strategy involves spreading staff out to cover all areas.
What is proper staff positioning or zone coverage?
Children entering a room before staff are present is an example of this supervision breakdown.
What is unsafe transition?
Walking ahead of the group without checking behind you can lead to this.
What is losing sight of children?
This is the opposite of “eyes on” supervision and should be avoided.
What is distraction (phone use, talking, etc.)?
Even during this routine time, staff must maintain constant visual supervision.
What is transitions (or snack/bathroom time)?
If two staff are standing together chatting, this supervision problem may occur.
What is lack of coverage or missed areas?
Not noticing a child leave the group is a failure of this key supervision skill.
What is head counting or scanning?
During transitions, staff should be positioned at the front and this other location.
What is the back (or middle for coverage)?
The best supervision combines seeing, listening, and this.
What is anticipating?
You are supervising 15 children. Two go behind a structure where you can’t see them, but you can still hear them. This supervision standard is NOT being met.
What is maintaining visual (eyes-on) supervision?
On the playground, all staff are standing near the entrance while children are spread out across the space. This key supervision strategy is missing.
What is proper staff distribution (or zone coverage)?
You notice a child has been absent from the group for several minutes, and no staff can say when they last saw them. This is a failure of these two supervision practices.
What are active scanning and headcounts?
During a transition inside, one staff leads the group while another stays behind to clean up. No one is watching the middle of the line, and a child slips into the bathroom unnoticed. This supervision breakdown is due to lack of this.
What is full group coverage (or proper staff positioning during transitions)?
A staff member is physically present and can see most children but is distracted by a phone and not noticing unsafe behavior. This shows the difference between being present and this higher standard of supervision.
What is active supervision?