Supervision policy.

Objective

To ensure the safety and well-being of all the children whilst on the centre’s premises.

Aims

• To be aware of where children are at all times.

• To help prevent accidents by being aware of potential accident areas in the centre environment.

• To encourage participation in a variety of activities.

• To ensure all staff are situated in areas of good vision and in close proximity of children’s activities.

• To make children aware of their own and other’s safety.

Implementation

Supervision ratios are: 0-2 years 1:4 children

2-3 years 1:5 children

3-5 years 1:10 children

To achieve this outcome educators will be alert, aware and in sight and sound of all children for whom they are responsible. Educators supervising outdoors must position themselves to see as much of the play area as possible and follow any playground supervision plans if relevant. They will also actively engage with children and not stand back and watch. They will not group together in the outdoor environment except for brief, necessary discussions regarding the children.

In particular, children will be supervised:

• when resting or sleeping

• during hand washing and/or toilet times

• while undergoing toilet training (they will not be left unsupervised in the bathroom)

• at the table when eating/drinking (children will not be allowed to wander around with food or drinks)

• in any areas where risk is increased

• during any water activity (at least one educator close at all times)

Children should be continually accounted for throughout the day. Accountability for the numbers should be through:

• A knowledge of children’s arrivals and departures.

• Marking the daily roll at a time when all expected children have arrived.

• Counting children periodically during the day.

• Checking the attendance section of the centres app.

Strategies

The Approved Provider will

• Ensure that the premises are designed and maintained to facilitate supervision of children at all times while considering the need to maintain the rights and dignity of all children.

• Ensure that the age and supervision requirements for educators are maintained at all times. Any educators, students, volunteers who are under eighteen years of age may be present at the centre-based service, provided they are not left alone with children and are adequately supervised at all times by an educator who is over eighteen years of age.

• Notify the regulatory authority within 24 hours through the online NQA ITS if a child appears to be missing, cannot be accounted for, appears to have been taken or removed from the premises, or has mistakenly been locked in or out of the education and care services premises.

The Nominated Supervisor will

• Carefully plan rosters that ensure continuity of care and adequate supervision at all times when children are being cared for and educated in the service and on excursions.

• Ensure that a risk assessment is carried out before an authorisation is sought for an excursion. The risk assessment will consider and identify the number of adults required to ensure continuous adequate supervision throughout the excursion.

To further ensure children are always adequately supervised the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor, and where relevant Room Leaders, will ensure:

• only educators working directly with children are included in the educator to child ratio

• no child is ever left alone with a visitor/ unauthorised person

• they promote continuity of care when organising rosters and a regular pool of relief educators

Educators will

• Discuss supervision strategies for both the indoor and outdoor areas. This will assist educators to position themselves effectively for supervising the children's play. They will take into consideration the layout of the premises and grounds, any higher risk activities, the presence of any animals, the location of activities and the location of bathroom and nappy change facilities.

• Inform new and relief educators about supervision arrangements and what is required of them in relation to supervising children.

• Regularly review our supervision strategies to evaluate effectiveness and implementation by educators.

• Seek to ensure that two educators are present/within view when working with children and when supporting children with toileting/hygiene routines.

• Arrange the education and care environment to maximise the ability of educators to supervise all areas accessible to children. Particular focus will be on gates, the fence line and doors during arrival and departure times.

• Be aware of the importance of communicating with each other about their location within the environment and ensure team members know when they leave the room or area.

• Ensure that correct child: educator ratios are maintained throughout the education and care environment. All children will be in sight or hearing of educators at all times. No child will be left alone while eating or at nappy change or toileting times.

• Supervise children during rest periods. Children will be positioned and supervised according to the Sleep & Rest Procedure.

• Ensure that hazardous equipment, machinery, and chemicals are inaccessible to children.

• Ensure that supervision arrangements are respectful and that interactions with children are meaningful. Educators will encourage children's independence while respecting individual abilities and needs.

• Scan the environment while interacting with individuals or small groups. Educators will position themselves to maximise their view of the environment and the children's play.

• Implement consistent supervision strategies and not perform other duties while responsible for the supervision of children.

Children's safety will be the priority of all educators when supervising children.

Responsible Person

Our service will have at least one “responsible person” present at all times when caring for and educating children. A responsible person is:

• An Approved Provider

• A Nominated Supervisor

• A person who is in day-to-day charge of the service.

The name of the Responsible person will be clearly displayed in the main entrance of the Service.

If the responsible person needs to change (for example the current person needs to leave the Service), he or she will “hand over” responsibility for the role to another eligible person at the Service. Both the old and new responsible person will communicate directly and ensure the name of the responsible person displayed at the Service correctly reflects who currently holds the position.

Sourced: Education and Care Services National Regulations

This policy is the property of Eikoh Seminar Australia Pty Limited and must not be reproduced without the consent of management.