“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: Supervision – At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard.
The new year is often an ideal time to review many of our everyday practices to ensure quality improvement and ensure all staff, including any new staff to the Service are on board and the expectations of quality practices and procedures are made clear to all.
This week we’ll be focusing on our supervision plan/s. Ensure you and your team review your Service supervision plan to ensure consistency and that maximum supervision is provided in all areas that children are being educated and cared for. Your supervision plan should clearly outline the supervision points that must be covered to ensure maximum coverage and maintain line of sight in all areas. Educators should be mindful that effective supervision is achieved by combining observation, remaining within earshot and an appropriate level of engagement with children.
When reviewing/developing your supervision plan ensure that:
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- all areas where children are educated and cared for are included in the plan. This includes indoor and outdoor environments
- 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 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
Active supervision strategies poster
Staff ratios and adequate supervision
Reflecting on common OSHC supervision areas
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, 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 – 101, 102B, 102C, 115, 168
System7 Module – QA 2/ Module 16
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
