“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Supervision plan.
Element 2.2.1: At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
How does your Service regularly evaluate and adapt your supervision plan and strategies to reflect the unique features of your service context, such as the layout of our indoor and outdoor spaces, the diversity of children’s needs, and the dynamics of the local community, ensuring it remains relevant and effective in keeping children safe from harm?
Regular evaluation ensures that the supervision plan remains dynamic and responsive, addressing emerging risks like changes in weather affecting outdoor play, new equipment introductions, or shifts in enrolments that alter group dynamics. Without this ongoing reflection, supervision can become outdated or misaligned, potentially leaving gaps where children might be exposed to preventable risks. This process fosters a proactive culture of safety, reinforcing the trust families place in the service and supporting children’s right to explore and learn in a safe and secure environment. The importance of this evaluation extends beyond compliance, the Service is embedding a mindset of continuous improvement among educators and staff.
Ensure a Supervision Risk Assessment is conducted to identify potential hazards and risks that may occur in relation to supervision while children are being educated and cared for. Conduct risk assessments and plan ongoing supervision taking into consideration the physical environment, layout of the grounds and equipment, any higher risk activities, the presence of any animals, the location of activities and the location of bathrooms and nappy change facilities. Ensure the supervision plan and strategies are displayed for staff and families in all rooms and in the outdoor area.
An effective supervision plan isn’t static, it evolves with the service’s needs, ensuring that reasonable precautions are always in place. When reviewing/developing your supervision plan ensure that:
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- it aligns with and reflects the Service’s supervision policy and procedure
- all areas where children are educated and cared for are included in the plan. This includes indoor and outdoor environments
- educators are positioned to ensure maximum supervision of any given area
- consideration is given to any blind spots or places where children can hide
- each supervision plan is displayed in the relevant play areas in an easily accessible location, visible to all staff and families
- consideration is given to any recent incidents that may require adaptations to supervision points or strategies (i.e., the frequency of head counts) to support continual improvement and ensure children’s safety
- consideration is given to responding to potential emergencies or evacuations
- the plan fosters a collaborative approach, encouraging educators to communicate and share observations about children’s safety and wellbeing
- opportunity is provided for flexibility to respond to dynamic situations, such as changes in group dynamics, weather, or unexpected events
- the plan considers the diversity of children, including their cultural backgrounds, abilities, and behaviours, to ensure effective supervision
- consideration is given to play spaces and experiences that may require additional supervision (depending on the age ranges) e.g., climbing equipment, water play etc.
- a detailed supervision plan is developed before each excursion (in addition to your risk assessment) which includes pre-determined supervision points while transporting children (for all types of transport) and supervision at the venue.
Resources:
Active Supervision: Ensuring Safety and Promoting Learning
Reflecting on common OSHC supervision areas
Guide to the NQF- Element 2.2.1: Supervision
Compliance focus – educator ratios and adequate supervision
Minimising the risk of children being mistakenly locked in or out of Service premises
Minimising the risk of children being left behind in vehicles
ACECQA- Active supervision steps poster
Within System7 go to Quality Area 2/Module 16 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with supervision. These include Supervision Guidelines and Procedure, Supervision Policy, Supervision Risk Assessment, Supervision Plan template, Supervision Audit, Working Directly with Children Guide, Direct Supervision Sign In/Out Sheet and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 2/ 2.2.1- Supervision
National Regulations – 99, 100, 101, 102B, 102C, 115, 122, 166, 168
System7 Module – QA 2/ Module 16
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