Direct Supervision

[blandino]

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.

I should definitely clarify that. My kids are out of my sight when going potty. We don't have dedicated potty times, so they walk to and from alone. Luckily the bathroom is in between the two playrooms.

[crazydaycarelady]

Our regs say within sight OR sound to account for naptime, when a provider most likely isn't going to sit and watch a child sleep.

[Familycare71]

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 ::

Sorry! That's probably me!! I guess I voted direct because majority of the time it is...

[jenn]

Depends on the age and maturity of the child. During play times, I will allow some of my older ones (3, 4, 5) to play in the kitchen by themselves. Our art area is in the kitchen and right off of the play room. I can hear them at all times and depending on where I am in the playroom, I can see them. I prefer to keep babies, 1 & 2 year olds within sight. During sleep times, pack and play sleepers will sleep in a separate room, within hearing distance, and are checked on at least every 10 minutes.

[nannyde]

My State says careful supervision at ALL times.

I do direct visual supervision when they are up out of their beds. The only time I'm not watching them with my eyes is during nap when the little ones are confined in equipment they can't get out of. The older kids (over three and a half) are trained to STAY in bed until I or my helper tell them they can get up. I have my house set up that I can hear them if they move around. I also NEVER allow the older kids near the babies. I have three separate napping areas to keep the bigger kids completely away from the babies.

I check the babies during nap every time every ten minutes. I set a timer and do rounds. The kids are all used to me coming into the room every ten minutes. They sleep thru it.

We are not allowed to have any age kid outside without a provider. We aren't allowed to even have a staff assistant outside with them alone. The only person that can watch them outside besides the provider is a co provider who has at least five years experience and approved by the dhs.

If I am caring for them alone and have to leave the room I confine them all and run quick to do what I need to do. I have everything I can do done before they get here. I set up my routine and physical set up for maximum supervision.

These kids are OTHER people's children. They have to be WATCHED at a way higher level than our own kids. The days of "I can't be everywhere all the time" is over. Now when they are on our clocks we have to watch them.

Don't take kids you don't have the room for and kids you can't properly supervise. If you can't watch them then don't take them. No amount of money is worth it.

[Hunni Bee]

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 ::

I feel the same way. I honestly couldn't imagine allowing kids (who don't belong to me) to play outside unattended. But its the same way I can't imagine people not locking their doors...I guess its the area you live in.

[cheerfuldom]

I dont know the particulars of my licensing area because I am legally unlicensed, however, it never occurred to me to not supervise all kids at all times. For naps, I do separate the kids but I put everyone in a pack n play for as long as possible age wise partially due to the fact that I am not directly supervising during nap time. Every now and then I will have to run to another room to grab something but I even hate to do that. If the kids are up, I feel it is my job to be supervising. I dont even allow my 4 and 5 year old bio. children play in the backyard alone. even when we are outside, the rule is that if you cannot see me, you have to come closer or come out (if they are hiding somewhere). I need to see the kids and they need to see me (that rule keeps them from going to far off in our big fenced backyard or from hiding from me if they are trying to be funny or sneaky.

[Familycare71]

I feel the same way. I honestly couldn't imagine allowing kids (who don't belong to me) to play outside unattended. But its the same way I can't imagine people not locking their doors...I guess its the area you live in.

I can totally understand that- I am in a fairly rural area and my dck (sa)are not allowed to be outside without a buddy. I have had very little problems with it but I also am careful with who I allow the privilege

[MCC]

"The Family Day Home standards do not require sight and sound
supervision because it is impossible for a single provider to do that.
Whether the provider is smoking, on the telephone, in the bathroom, changing a diaper, etc., § 560 A requires a caregiver to be on site and to provide direct care and supervision of each child at all times.
If a provider is smoking on the porch, they are ―on site,‖ but the provider must ensure the safety of children while she is outside.
What are the ages of the children? Can she hear them? Are they all asleep?
Are babies and toddlers in cribs or play pens and not on the floor or in a high chair? In other words, what is she doing to secure the children while she
is unavailable for a few minutes smoking or using the bathroom, etc.
The provider may not leave infants and preschoolers alone in the family day home while she gets a school-aged child off the bus."

This is directly from our regs. I was when I read this.

I am set up on the entire lower level of my home. We have a large playroom with a bathroom, a large sleep room, and we've converted our storage room into a large motor playroom. The only room the kids are ever alone in is the sleep room. I have a video monitor in there to watch them, and usually check on them 2-3 times during their 2 hour nap. I would NEVER step foot outside my house to "smoke" (not that I smoke) while I had daycare kids here.

I do, however, use the bathroom alone. I just leave the door open. I put the infant in a gated off area, and just go. Most of the time I am joined by at least 3 of the children. I can't let daycare kids under 5 use the bathroom alone, but I do let my own 2.5 yo use the potty and wash her hands alone.

[blandino]

I can't let daycare kids under 5 use the bathroom alone, but I do let my own 2.5 yo use the potty and wash her hands alone.

Is the under 5, a licensing regulation ?

I am just curious because all my kids go potty alone. I only go in if they have been gone longer than usual. Now the bathroom is central to the daycare rooms, so they aren't going far.

How would one accompany a 3 year old to the bathroom, and keep direct supervision of all the other children ?

[Play Care]

Is the under 5, a licensing regulation ?

I am just curious because all my kids go potty alone. I only go in if they have been gone longer than usual. Now the bathroom is central to the daycare rooms, so they aren't going far.

How would one accompany a 3 year old to the bathroom, and keep direct supervision of all the other children ?

Exactly. My potty trained kids use the bathroom independently. Now, I pay attention to who is in the bathroom and how long they've been in there, but I don't go in unless they call and need assistance. When I worked in a preschool we were not allowed to be in the bathroom with the kids. :confused:

[Cradle2crayons]

I voted indirect supervision. First off, I'm legally unlicensed, and registered because I take state pay. However, if I were licensed, the regs would be indirect.

I allow all completely potty trained children to go potty independently.

My sleeping room, when my two nap peers are in there, has a video monitor connected to a live feed on my laptop and iPad.

My special dcg girl sleeps in a pnp in my bedroom on the opposite side of the house from the kids hallway with the door open with a video monitor. I also check on her CONSTANTLY when she's asleep.

My newborn dcb sleeps on a PNP in the main living room where I am, in the dedicated infant section of my living room.

As far as outside goes, my son ( age 5), and dcb (sa) are allowed to play outside without me. However, I can see them from the window in the main area.

So, the rules say indirect. But what I actually do is pretty direct.

[blandino]

Exactly. My potty trained kids use the bathroom independently. Now, I pay attention to who is in the bathroom and how long they've been in there, but I don't go in unless they call and need assistance. When I worked in a preschool we were not allowed to be in the bathroom with the kids. :confused:

That's where I feel like it is a double edged sword. You go in, and you can be blamed for privacy/molestation, etc. / Don't go in and they are unsupervised.

Same with making bottles. I used to prepare them at the daycare. Then I thought it less responsibility on me to have parents send them prepared and we just warm them (that way I couldn't be held responsible for the contents), but then I ran into a situation where mom was preparing bottles incorrectly.

There are some issues that I feel like you just can pick a completely safe way.

[Laurel]

I dont know the particulars of my licensing area because I am legally unlicensed, however, it never occurred to me to not supervise all kids at all times. For naps, I do separate the kids but I put everyone in a pack n play for as long as possible age wise partially due to the fact that I am not directly supervising during nap time. Every now and then I will have to run to another room to grab something but I even hate to do that. If the kids are up, I feel it is my job to be supervising. I dont even allow my 4 and 5 year old bio. children play in the backyard alone. even when we are outside, the rule is that if you cannot see me, you have to come closer or come out (if they are hiding somewhere). I need to see the kids and they need to see me (that rule keeps them from going to far off in our big fenced backyard or from hiding from me if they are trying to be funny or sneaky.

I've always done that too. I say "If you can't see me then you are in the wrong place. Come where you can see me."

Laurel

[Laurel]

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.

The only different thing I do is that if I have school agers (which is rare nowadays...mostly just grandkid school agers), I 'sometimes' let them go in the fenced in backyard without me but I MUST be able to see them at all times when I look out the window. So they can't go around a corner or behind a tree. If they do, they come in. I also keep the window open so I can hear them. Mostly they stay on the patio which is right outside the window.