Supervision is a technique that involves looking after, or monitoring a child’s activities. Young children are generally incapable of looking after themselves, and need support when making decisions for their own well-being.

Supervision is constantly observing and relating to individual children and groups of children to contribute to their safety, health and wellbeing.

At its most basic level, supervision helps to protect children from hazards or harm that may arise in their daily experiences in play, interactions with others, and daily routines.  Adequate supervision means that an adult can respond immediately including when a child is distressed or is in a hazardous situation

Supervision is a verb, which is a ‘doing’ word, which means that supervision needs to be ‘done’ it doesn’t just happen. You MUST observe, listen to and relate to children in a way that keeps them healthy and safe at all times whilst they are attending your Family Day Care Service, thus referred to as ACTIVE SUPERVISION.

Here are some things that DO NOT lead to active supervision:

• Burying your head in an I-pad / notebook (documenting, completing forms, preparation)
• Talking with families for extended periods of time when they drop off/collect their child
• Busying yourself with tasks/routine chores, for example, cleaning or cooking
• Being lazy, for example, calling out to children from across the room or yard

At times when you might meet with other Family Day Care Educators, for example playgroups or excursions, it is important that everyone is conscious of actively supervising children.

Documenting, food preparation and cleaning are, of course, necessary aspects of your daily role, however, the children should always come first. If other tasks are taking time away from the children, some critical reflection needs to take place to ensure children and their health and safety are prioritized.

As a Family Day Care Educator working solo, it is important that you: