Safety Always Comes First: A Lesson in Proactive Supervision

As a director, I had grown accustomed to the high-pitched beep of my walkie-talkie. Most of the beeps were informational, but on a rare occasion, it was serious. One day, I heard an urgent voice through the static: "Come quick to the field!" Puzzlingly, the group had just exited the building not more than five minutes ago. What could've happened so quickly?

I rushed out to the playground. My heart sank as I saw a 5th-grade boy lying on the grass, blood dripping down his head. As I tended to his wounds and tried to console the boy, I questioned the nearby staff about what had happened. She struggled to find the right words, explaining that he had stumbled over another boy and hit the rock face-first.

After the boy received treatment at the hospital, including stitches and a slight concussion, I returned to our center. Something didn't sit right with me about the accident, and I needed more information from the staff that was supervising at the time. Unfortunately, what I was about to hear was beyond anything I could have imagined.

Though Southern California is known for its warmth, winter days can still bring a noticeable chill. On those cold days, our rule was clear: jackets or sweatshirts were essential for outdoor play. Unfortunately, on this day, the boy had forgotten his jacket. Not wanting to miss out on the fun, he came up with an innovative plan. Instead of waiting inside, he asked his friend if he could share his jacket. No, not an extra jacket, the one his friend was wearing!

His logic was simple. The friend, already wearing a jacket, would open it up, allowing our injured friend to snugly fit in front, arms by his side, and then zip them both up together.

As they waddled outside, their shared warmth probably felt like a victory. However, as they began to run, the restrictions of their shared attire became clear. Their legs tangled, leading to their inevitable fall. The boy at the back was cushioned by his friend. Tragically, the boy in front, arms trapped, had no such luck, especially when the ground greeting him held a concealed rock.

After hearing the supervising staff tell me the story, I was silent. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing! The first words I could come up with were, "You saw them zipping into one jacket?" The staff nodded, accompanied by a guilty look, and then the words, "I never imagined it'd lead to this."

Safety Always Comes First

Over the years, I have found that accidents tend to fall into one of two categories:

• Avoidable: Accidents that could have been prevented.
• Inevitable: Accidents that could not have been prevented.

Many accidents that I have witnessed have been avoidable. Often, avoidable accidents occur when we overlook small but significant details or fail to anticipate how children’s creativity and impulsivity might turn an innocent idea into a risky situation. In the case of the story above, the supervising staff had seen the boys sharing a jacket. Yet, they didn't anticipate the risks. A simple correction, and the boy would not have had a visit to the hospital.

Proactive Supervision: The Lifeguard of Children

Your role is to anticipate and prevent as many accidents as possible. This is why safety should always be the foremost priority when caring for children. These young minds are explorative, curious, and sometimes unknowingly reckless. It's up to us as their protectors to foresee potential dangers and eliminate them.

How to Be Proactively Safe:

• Be Observant: Watch for unusual or risky behaviors before they escalate.
• Think Ahead: Ask yourself, "What could go wrong here?" and take action to prevent it.
• Engage and Intervene: Don’t assume that children understand the risks. Step in, redirect, and explain why safety matters.

Safety Is More Than Protocol—It Is a Promise!

Let’s commit to making safety our daily practice, ensuring every decision we make keeps children protected and cared for.

Overseeing children means bearing the responsibility for their overall well-being. It’s not just about protecting them from immediate physical harm but also safeguarding their heart, mind, and personal belongings. By committing to proactive supervision, we fulfill the promise every caregiver should make: Safety, always.

Call to Action

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Disclaimer: This blog is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or regulatory advice. Childcare regulations vary by state, so please check with your local licensing agency to ensure compliance. Results are not guaranteed. Read our full disclaimer [here].