Children learn best when they are in safe, well-supervised environments. Head Start staff can reduce the possibility of a child getting hurt when they closely observe children and respond when needed. When programs think systematically about child supervision they create safe, positive learning environments for all children.
All Head Start educators are responsible for making sure that no child is left unsupervised. Active supervision is a strategy that works. It can be used in classrooms, family child care, playgrounds, and buses. It can also be shared with families as a tool to use at home. This fact sheet explains what active supervision is and how to use it in your program.
Programs can use this resource to identify attention management strategies. Also, learn more about ways to use active supervision, and policies and procedures to make sure that no child is left unattended.
The needs of supervisors and home visitors were identified by six focus group sessions sponsored by the Home Visiting Forum, a national task group. Directors, human resource personnel, home visitors and supervisors will learn about the issues identified in the focus groups. This report highlights the importance of supportive management, training and professional development, structure and communication, and evaluation for home visitors and their supervisors.
Watch this webinar from the National Center on Health to explore the six active supervision strategies. Find out how they can transform child supervision in your Head Start or Early Head Start program. This webinar will provide staff with tips that can be used in classrooms, on playgrounds, and in family child care homes.
Head Start staff are encouraged to watch this webinar about the importance of active supervision. It was part of a week of interactive webinars and online discussion around keeping children safe. Discover practical active supervision strategies for use in the classroom and at home.
During the first five years, children constantly acquire new skills and knowledge. Caregivers who know what children can do and how they can get hurt can protect them from injury.
This is a sample Sign-in Sheet that you can use as children get on and off the bus.
Active Supervision Poster
Keeping children safe is a top priority for all Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The Head Start Program Performance Standards require that “no child shall be left alone or unsupervised while under their care” (45 CFR 1304.52[i][1][iii]). But what is active supervision and how will it benefit children and staff?