Tools to Aid Effective Supervision

Whether children are at school, daycare or church, they need a safe and secure environment. In order to ensure the proper duty of care is taking place at your facility, it is important to understand how to plan for and supervise groups of children.

As a ministry, it’s imperative that all areas accessible to children are safe, free from hazards and have enough caregivers to oversee the activities happening. Be at ease during your next church activity by following these three simple tips below:

1. Actively Supervise – Effective caregivers are constantly watching and attending to children and their environment. This can be achieved through careful positioning of adults, so they are in close proximity and can anticipate what may happen next. It’s important for your caregiver to regularly scan the area where children are playing and intervene when a dangerous situation arises.
2. Conduct Safety Checks – According to the Safe Kids Worldwide website, your church’s child care environment should be inspected and monitored for hazards that could lead to poisoning or injury before and during children’s play. This includes checking for insects, foreign objects that may be harmful and items, such as broken glass. If one of these items is spotted, report and remove the hazard as quickly as possible.
3. Position Equipment – A well-designed environment will help supervisors view playing areas with ease. An open floor plan will allow for lines of sight that make your caregiver’s job simple and effortless. Adults should have enough space to move freely around the room and equipment without being distracted by clutter.

By effectively supervising children, your church can help reduce the number of injuries that take place while children are at play. For more information, visit the Children and Youth Safety section of SafeChurch.com or SafeKids.org.

© 2024 GuideOne Insurance. GuideOne® is the registered trademark of the GuideOne Insurance Company. All rights reserved. This material is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to give specific legal or risk management advice, nor are any suggested checklists or action plans intended to include or address all possible risk management exposures or solutions. You are encouraged to retain your own expert consultants and legal advisors in order to develop a risk management plan specific to your own activities.