Direct Supervision

[Crystal]

In light of some recent threads, I am wondering what level of supervision is necessary to protect the children in our care, our property from being destroyed and our livelihoods from being destroyed. Maybe it is just me, but I believe it is my UPMOST responsibility to directly supervise, constantly, while children are in my care. Without referring to any one thread specifically, I am getting a horrible feeling that many providers do not take their role as seriously as they should. This SERIOUSLY frightens and concerns me and I really wonder what, if anything can and should be done about it.

So, please share with me, what do you think is the level of supervision necessary for anyone caring for other people's children?

[blandino]

We rent a home just for the daycare. We seperate the children into two groups, infants and toddlers in one room with a caregiver. Room dividers seperate the pack and plays for napping, and that is as out of sight as they get. If everyone is sleeping, the caregiver may leave the room. But times when all infants & toddlers are sleeping are few and far between.


The bigger kids go back and forth between two different playrooms, with a kitchen in between. The children are always all in the same room. I am either in the room with them or cooking/cleaning in the kitchen. So I am within sight most of the time, and sound always.

When they are napping is the only time I leave the room, and am still within hearing distance.

[Familycare71]

I am almost afraid to post... But here I go-
I am required to have direct supervision in all situations except: when children are napping they can be in another room with the door not closed completely and a baby monitor. And my school age children can be out of direct sight as long as they are on my property and checked on every 15min.
I do have a separate room for nap that I check visually occ and I do allow SA children that prove they can make good choices play outside without me.

I also am allowed to potty alone- but kids have to be set up before- generally I usually put infants in pnp and toddlers tend to come in or stand just outside the door.

[Crystal]

I am almost afraid to post... But here I go-
I am required to have direct supervision in all situations except: when children are napping they can be in another room with the door not closed completely and a baby monitor. And my school age children can be out of direct sight as long as they are on my property and checked on every 15min.
I do have a separate room for nap that I check visually occ and I do allow SA children that prove they can make good choices play outside without me.

I also am allowed to potty alone- but kids have to be set up before- generally I usually put infants in pnp and toddlers tend to come in or stand just outside the door.

Don't be afraid to post. I really think this is a discussion that needs to be had. We all have our own philosophies of care and our own set of regs to follow. I just really want to know where everyone stands on this issue, and hopefully some who allow children to "free range" might reconsider, as it becomes a major liability issue when someone gets hurt under our watch, when we aren't actually watching, KWIM?

[Play Care]

Direct, eyes on supervision is required in my state for children who are not school aged. They are more lenient with school aged children. They can legally play outside a providers direct supervision as long as the provider physically checks on them every 15 minutes.

I do utilize this for school aged children but only after they show they can follow the rules, play safely, etc. Typically it happens if we are outside and I have to go in to change diapers or assist with toilet training the school aged kids can, providing they have proven trustworthy, stay outside while I attend business inside. If for any reasons they do not follow the rules (stay in the yard, play nicely with each other and toys, no screaming, etc.) they lose out on that privilege. My kids try very hard to follow the rules because a school aged child does not want to have to come in for diaper changes/ toileting. But even with this reg, I still find eyes on is the best way to go.

[Play Care]

I am almost afraid to post... But here I go-
I am required to have direct supervision in all situations except: when children are napping they can be in another room with the door not closed completely and a baby monitor. And my school age children can be out of direct sight as long as they are on my property and checked on every 15min.
I do have a separate room for nap that I check visually occ and I do allow SA children that prove they can make good choices play outside without me.

I also am allowed to potty alone- but kids have to be set up before- generally I usually put infants in pnp and toddlers tend to come in or stand just outside the door.

We are in the same state and I forgot about naps! My kids do nap in their own room, but we have to physically check on them every 15 minutes in addition to the monitor and have the door open enough so you can pop your head in. I tried to have them nap in the playroom when I started but it was a disaster. Too open of a floor plan
I actually see nothing wrong with anything you posted. I get to know my kids very well. I know who needs to be "put up" when I use the bathroom and who can stay where they are because they play nicely. I know what school agers are capable of being outside without me and which ones will never have that privilege.

[MamaBearCanada]

I answered indirect - however, only indoors & when direct is absolutely not possible and only for children capable of being left out of arms reach. My kids are in direct supervision for the majority of the time but depending on circumstances I think carefully planned indirect is acceptable.

To clarify, I work alone and have a max of 5 children, usually 3, 2 of which are my own, and no babies. If I have to go to the bathroom I might take my youngest with me but leave my oldest & the DCK playing in a safe area close by where I can hear them. None of the children I have are aggressive or biters. If I had an infant I would take them with me. Also, I have the 2 youngest sleep in 2 separate rooms & have any older children resting in a 3rd room during nap. I have monitors although I can hear without them, and check regularly on those sleeping but they are not in sight every minute. They are in direct supervision for the majority of the time.

[daycare]

even though the state I provide care in does not require 100% supervision with in-home daycare, I do Provide 100% supervision at all times. I train my employees that this is a MUST.

I should not jinx myself, but I have NEVER had to file a incident report, NO accidents of any kind and NOTHING of mine has ever been destroyed.

[MamaBearCanada]

Ok so I just read the other posts who basically said the same as me. Direct except for bathroom and nap... But voted differently. Now I'm really confused :confused: although that's not anything new ::

[Familycare71]

We are in the same state and I forgot about naps! My kids do nap in their own room, but we have to physically check on them every 15 minutes in addition to the monitor and have the door open enough so you can pop your head in. I tried to have them nap in the playroom when I started but it was a disaster. Too open of a floor plan
I actually see nothing wrong with anything you posted. I get to know my kids very well. I know who needs to be "put up" when I use the bathroom and who can stay where they are because they play nicely. I know what school agers are capable of being outside without me and which ones will never have that privilege.

Yes- reading your post I noticed!
I actually didnt know we had to check on nappers every 15 min- not sure how I missed that one! I actually just made my nap room into a play room too- I was nervous having nap and play happen in the same area but so far so good! . We "set up" for nap before lunch to help with the mental transition-
I also use SA outside play as a privilege! They do NOT like coming in for diaper, potty or staying in all of nap . It's been effective and I am grateful we are allowed to do it!

[blandino]

If I have to go to the bathroom, and te other caregiver has her hands full, I will have everyone sit on their bottoms (2 yo and up), and tell them to yell if anyone gets off their bottom). I usually will make it as fast as possible, and run out and check on them between using the bathroom and washing my hands.

[Willow]

I voted indirect because I and those old enough potty alone, my 3/4's that have shown consistent good behavior on up are allowed to play in the playroom "alone" (I can still hear them 100% of the time and they are 5 steps from where I am at all times -it's a bedroom off the open floor plan of my home), and my infants nap there as well (Angelcare monitors on and I check on them every 15/20 minutes or so).

If I came across a kiddo that needed direct line of sight supervision I would provide that or term.

I am always on my own but keep a small group of 6 or less under the age of 6.

[Childminder]

Depends on the age. If under 2.5 direct, over 2.5 to school age is indirect and school age they can be more on their own. If an infant and sleeping they must be checked every 15 minutes.

[Familycare71]

Don't be afraid to post. I really think this is a discussion that needs to be had. We all have our own philosophies of care and our own set of regs to follow. I just really want to know where everyone stands on this issue, and hopefully some who allow children to "free range" might reconsider, as it becomes a major liability issue when someone gets hurt under our watch, when we aren't actually watching, KWIM?

Yes I agree- there are sometimes when I read a post and happens! But I have also had (10+ years ago) my DS and a DCG play "show and tell" il with body parts in a box that they were playing in while I was sitting right there! So- I also understand sometimes things happen even with the best intentions...
I do believe dck require more supervision than our own because of liability and they are being entrusted to us by their parents-

[Familycare71]

If I have to go to the bathroom, and te other caregiver has her hands full, I will have everyone sit on their bottoms (2 yo and up), and tell them to yell if anyone gets off their bottom). I usually will make it as fast as possible, and run out and check on them between using the bathroom and washing my hands.

That's a good idea!!! . They love to tattle!!! :: I will be using this!