Direct Supervision

[Crystal]

I am not going to vote, but just wanted to point out that the poll question and the question YOU are asking are different. My state allows sight OR sound for under school age, and free play/roam for school agers.
*I* have different standards.
Out of curiousity, what threads are you referring to in this post, if you don't mind sharing?

The questions are the same. I wasn't asking what state regs are in the poll, but I can see where it might have been thought that I was. I was asking what do provider's feel is necessary. But, I like hearing the State Regs. too.

[Cradle2crayons]

The questions are the same. I wasn't asking what state regs are in the poll, but I can see where it might have been thought that I was. I was asking what do provider's feel is necessary. But, I like hearing the State Regs. too.

I answered according to regs because the polls asked "WHAT LEVEL IS REQUIRED OF PROVIDERS" not "what kind of supervision do you, as a provider, give"

T me, two different questions, so that's why I answered the poll what is required and then explained.

[Angelsj]

The questions are the same. I wasn't asking what state regs are in the poll, but I can see where it might have been thought that I was. I was asking what do provider's feel is necessary. But, I like hearing the State Regs. too.

Ahh..in that case, I would vote in the middle. But honestly, it truly depends on the child. I have one 10 year old and an eight year old (girls if that matters) that I allow in my fenced back yard alone with 5 min checks. They are incredibly trustworthy kids.
I have several school age boys that, pardon the french, but no way in hell would I allow them out there alone.
I carry all infants or have them at my arms reach at all times. Toddlers and preschoolers generally line of sight, though I do go to the restroom (open door) and if they follow, fine. If not, I just don't stay long. The bathroom is huge, so I typically have a full entourage of toddlers trailing behind me to play in there. There are toys that are only in there, so it is fun and that is the only time they get them, other than diaper changes.

[Crystal]

I answered according to regs because the polls asked "WHAT LEVEL IS REQUIRED OF PROVIDERS" not "what kind of supervision do you, as a provider, give"

T me, two different questions, so that's why I answered the poll what is required and then explained.

Yeah....like I said, I can see where the confusion might have come from, as I could have worded it differently. At any rate, I am loving the responses and think it has been a great discussion.

[mom2many]

I'm sight or sound...However, it depends upon the dcks and the ages as to how much direct supervision I give. My house is a fairly small open floor plan, so I'm "almost" always within constant sight and always within constant sound. However, there are times when I am in the kitchen and have an older preschool or S/A playing in the other room or when using the restroom, that I don't have my eyes on them.

I learned years ago with my own children that if someone becomes very quiet, they are usually up to something and need to be checked on! If I do leave the direct sight of a child, I am vigilant about checking on them...even the older ones when they are coloring or using glue sticks.

I have S/A that come home and have snack and sit at the kitchen table to do h/w, while the younger ones play in the adjacent room. I can sit and watch the younger ones and listen to what the older ones are doing w/o actually being in the same room.

I have never had anything destroyed in 27 years and have never had any injuries either- other than an occasional bump or bruise from falling down...Knock on wood!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Mine are never allowed to play without direct supervision, which includes both indoors and outdoors, according to my own standards.

The only time they do not have my eyes on them the entire time is during nap (when they are in the room with me while I eat and do paperwork/get online/etc. OR are in the room next to me across a half wall and big open area ... no actual door), if I am grabbing lunch or snack out of the kitchen (they are required to sit on the circle time carpet in their spot and read a book ... they will tattle if someone gets out of their spot), or if they are going potty (I can see them walk to the restroom and only can't see them inside ... only ONE child is allowed to go at a time and that area is gated off so they HAVE to ask) or if I am going potty (mostly during designated times when they are occupied with a book or all waiting to do a mass potty break with me right there as well or asleep).
Some might consider these three times unacceptable but it works well for me and I feel comfortable. I'd be far less strict with my own kids than these kids that aren't mine.