Embedded Files
ACTIVE SUPERVISION
Keeping children safe is a top priority for our Head Start program. The Head Start Program Performance Standards require that "no child shall be left alone or unsupervised while under their care" 1302.90 (v)
Head Start teachers will ensure Head Start children are supervised at all times and only be placed with staff who are regularly assigned to them.
Six Strategies to Keep Children Safe:
Set up the environment
Scan and Count
Anticipate Children's Behavior
Position Staff
Listen
Engage and Redirect
active-supervision-poster (1).pdfThe Active Supervision Poster (above) and Active Supervision at-a -Glance (below) should be posted in your classroom.
active-supervision-handout.pdfSET UP THE ENVIRONMENT
Designing the Environment
Designing the Environment
Designing an effective and engaging classroom environment takes careful thought and planning, but it's important. A well-organized classroom that is interesting, orderly, and attractive contributes to children's participation and engagement with the learning materials and activities. This engagement, in turn, contributes to children's learning. It's all a part of helping children achieve school readiness and success in school and beyond.
Teacher Resource on designing the classroom: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/designing-environments
SCAN AND COUNT
head_count_poster.pdfHead Start Counting Poster
The Head Start Counting poster should be visible in the classroom. Poster Procedures:
Children are counted by supervising adults before leaving the classroom or other area and recounted upon arrival at the destination.
Restrooms, playgrounds, and other areas are "swept" for children prior to departure.
An accurate count is communicated between teaching staff.
ATTENDANCE BOARD
The Attendance Board is a tool our program uses to ensure the supervision of students. It should be visible and reflect an accurate count of present children.
Write the number of present children in the blue box once children arrive for the day and school officially begins. This number could change as students arrive late, leave early or attend pull-out classes, etc. This number must stay current throughout the day!
The green boxes are for you to use as you wish. Some teachers write students' names that are absent or out of the room. Make this board work for you. Contact your Education Specialist if you need a new Attendance Board.
Children are only to be released to authorized adults in compliance with district/childcare center policies.
Attendance poster.pdf
Possible examples of being out of the classroom for 5 minutes include:
Teacher or Teaching Assistant personal bathroom break
Emergency concerning a child/nurse or restroom
The child is called to the office or other area of the campus and needs supervision
ANTICIPATE CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR
Problem-solving in the moment can be an effective way to prevent challenging behaviors, and it teaches children useful social skills. As teachers observe their children, they will begin to notice the times and activities where problems are likely to happen.
It might be when all the children need to transition to a new activity at one time or when children have to wait their turn. Teachers anticipate and get ready to problem solve.
Teachers are responsible for teaching appropriate behavior expectations to children in the event the child needs the teacher’s full attention the Family Service Worker/Advocate may be called to step into the classroom to meet the ratio while the teacher is addressing the child’s needs. Family Service Workers/Advocates are responsible for assisting with active supervision of children.
Teacher Resource on Problem-Solving in the Moment https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/problem-solving-moment
POSITION STAFF/ZONING
Zoning is a practice used to organize the classroom staff by providing them with specific roles and duties throughout the day. During every classroom activity and during the transitions between activities, each adult in the classroom is assigned to an area of the classroom and has a set of responsibilities to fulfill. Zoning:
Ensures teachers are available to interact with children and the children can be more engaged in learning activities.
Increases staff efficiency because everyone knows where they need to be.
Helps to increase confidence in staff members; they know what's expected of them. They can see that they have an important role in the classroom.
Frees up time so that staff members can communicate more easily with each other and with the children.
Teacher Resource on Zoning to Maximize Learning https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/video/zoning-maximize-learning
zoning-areas.pdfUse these resources below as you plan zoning areas and positions:
Whole group instruction (Teacher at the front of the room; Teaching Assistant sitting behind/beside students in line)
Walking in line (Adult leading the line; adult walking beside or behind the students in line)
Cafeteria (Teacher and Teaching Assistant sitting at the same table as students)
Playground (Adults positioned on opposite sides of the area actively supervising and interacting with students)
Rest Time (Adults on opposites sides/corners of the classroom actively supervising students.
zoning-staff-chart.pdfzoning-teacher-tips-rev.pdfLISTEN
LISTEN
Specific sounds or the absence of them may signify reason for concern. Staff who are listening closely to children immediately identify signs of potential danger. Programs that plan systemically implement additional strategies to safeguard children. For example, bells added to doors help alert staff when a child leaves or enters the room.
ENGAGE AND REDIRECT
Staff use what they know about each child’s individual needs and development to offer support. Staff wait until children are unable to problem-solve on their own to get involved. They may offer different levels of assistance or redirection depending on each individual child’s needs.
Stating Behavioral Expectations
Redirecting Behavior
Creating Classroom Rules
Problem Solving in the Moment
Report abuse