April is Supervision Awareness Month!! 

Don’t be fooled into thinking it couldn’t happen to you! 

MSRK encourages all providers not to be “April Fooled” into thinking supervision issues couldn’t happen to you.  All it takes is one atypical day: high staff absenteeism; teachers covering a different group of children; staff distraction at times of transition from one location to another; or failing to follow your policies, procedures and routines.

Kick off Supervision Awareness Month at your next staff meeting.  Follow activities and talking points in the staff meeting agenda included in your materials. Then…

Week 1: DEFINITION, RATIOS, AND POSITIONING
By Friday staff will submit to the director one main idea from the article that stood out to them.
  • Periodically throughout the week, the director will question each staff member to answer the questions: “How many children do you have?  Which children are you responsible for? What is the definition of Supervision?”
  • Check in with staff to make sure that the positioning solutions they developed at the February staff meeting are being implemented.

Center Ratio Review and Answer Key

Group Ratio Review and Answer Key

Family Ratio Review and Answer Key 

Director Count Form - Sample

Teacher Count Form - Sample 

10 Lessons from NAEYC - Avoiding Lapses in Supervision 

Week 2: COUNT, COUNT, COUNT
By Friday staff will submit to the director one main idea from the article that stood out to them.
  • On Monday distribute “Counting Kids Discussion” handout to each classroom, staff should discuss with their classroom co-workers and turn in completed handout to the director on Wednesday.
  • Kick off the week by holding a Jelly Bean Jar Counting Contest
  • Throughout the week, conduct more ratio spot-checks, asking “How many children do you have?  Which children are you responsible for?”, but this time use the “Director Classroom Counts” form provided.  Feel free to create a checklist format that meets your needs.  

Week 3: HEIGHTENING SUPERVISION IN AND OUT OF THE CLASSROOM

By Friday staff will submit to the director one main idea from the article that stood out to them.
  • Post the STOP Poster provided in your materials at key entrances and exits.
  • In each classroom, implement the “Teacher Classroom Counts” form to be used on a daily basis. Feel free to create a checklist format that meets your needs.  
Week 4: TEAM TALK

By Friday staff will submit to the director one main idea from the article that stood out to them.
  • Team Talk Scavenger Hunt – Staff should be on the lookout for examples of team talk – either personally or another staff member using it.  Document examples and submit to the director at the end of the week.
  • At the conclusion of the Supervision Awareness Month activities, please complete a brief survey

MSRK's goal for 2017-18 is no supervision issues. We believe this isn’t an “April Fools” joke but rather an achievable goal if we all work together!  

If you need additional assistance please contact your STARS Specialist.

Thank you for all you do for the children & families in our communities! 

Sincerely,  

Mid-State Regional Key                                                   
                            29 North Duke St.                             
York, PA 17401