In the early education field, safety is our number one priority, especially with our younger children who are constantly learning through exploration. Effective active supervision practices are key to ensuring staff can easily account for all children at all times, and therefore ensure they are safe. 

This course will define active supervision and explore strategies for staff to effectively implement active supervision during their daily routines with children, such as sleeping, eating, and diapering or bathroom use. Strategies include:

• Setting Up the Environment
• Positioning Staff
• Scanning and Counting
• Listening
• Anticipating Children's Behavior
• Engaging and Redirecting

Active supervision is a proven strategy for creating a safe environment and preventing injuries in young children. Learners successfully completing this course will understand what active supervision is, how to implement the technique, and evaluate their current role and the impact active supervision may have on their work.

Start Date: Available on-demand

Course Level: Beginner

Requirements/Prerequisites: None

Target Audience: Instruction and Effective Practice, Leadership and Management, Parents and Families, Program Operations, Support Services

Course Meeting Times: None

Completion Timeline/Duration: One month

Alignment with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework (ELOF): This course supports programs in meeting the 1302.47 Safety Practices requirements of the Head Start Program Performance Standards (HSPPS) in which programs must “ensure no child is left alone or unsupervised by staff, consultants, contractors, or volunteers while under their care.”