Supervision involves all your skills as a teacher and caregiver. Read the following scenarios. Identify the problems related to supervision. Then brainstorm possible solutions.

1. A man you do not recognize arrives at the program and tells you he is Mark’s uncle. He tells you that he has come to pick him up. His name is not on the list of names Mark’s parents provided.

   Problem:

   Parents should provide you with a list of individuals authorized to pick up and children can only leave according to the written instructions the parents provide. You may never release a child into the care of an unauthorized person. This man is not on the list.

   Possible Solutions:

   Call Mark’s parents. Do not release Mark. You must never release a child into the care of an unauthorized person. Even if Mark were to recognize the man, you could not release Mark unless the man was authorized to pick him up.

    

    

2. You take a group of five children to work in the wood shop. You and all the children put on protective goggles and gloves. Most of the equipment is familiar to you, and you have experience with the tools. One new piece just arrived last week, though. While you are trying to figure out the new tool, you have your back turned and the children are using the other equipment by themselves.

   Problems:

   Because woodworking is considered a high-risk activity with dangerous tools, it is important that school- age program staff members provide direct supervision. Although there is a low ratio and everyone is wearing protective goggles and gloves, there needs to be a staff member giving direct supervision while children are using tools. You cannot supervise the children with your back turned.

   Possible Solutions:

   Prior to taking the children to the wood shop, the staff member should become familiar with all of the tools in the wood shop. You must be comfortable enough with the tools that you can keep children safe and supervise actively at all times.

    

3. The bus arrives and as you are taking attendance you notice that one of the children, Lily, is not there. Her best friend Susan tells you that she was not at school that day. Since you know that they are best friends you believe her.

   Problems:

   You should never rely on other children to report or confirm a child’s absences. When you are supervising arrivals, it is very important to take note of who has arrived and who has not according to the attendance list the school has provided your program.

   Possible Solutions:

   Tell Susan that you understand that she didn’t see Lily at school but that you have to confirm it with the child’s parent and/or school. If Susan was incorrect and Lily was in school, then you would have to alert the school and parents and follow your program’s policy on lost or missing children.