S.A.F.E. — SUPERVISION
NPPS strongly urges parents and adults to take an active role in playground supervision. Adults should always be present when children are playing at a local park, a school playground, child care center, or on the equipment in your backyard.
Supervision is a critical component to the safety of children. Supervision can assist in ensuring safety and preventing injuries. Play areas need to be designed so that supervisors can see all areas.
Unfortunately, there are children that have been seriously injured on a playground and no adult was around the play environment. Research has shown that trained supervisors can help reduce injuries.
NPPS recommends that supervisors follow the ABC's™ of Supervision. Supervisors need to Anticipate preventable problems and hazardous situations. Behavior means being alert and attentive. Despite the type or Context of the play area, whenever children are on the playground, adults should be present.
NPPS advocates that all youth serving agencies take supervision seriously. NPPS encourages that schools, child care centers, and other youth serving organizations develop a supervision plan. To learn more about developing a supervision plan and training your staff on supervision, watch ABC's™ of Supervision.
NPPS has a resource kit to help develop a supervision plan. The Supervision Kit includes a manual design to help you develop your supervision plan, a SAFE Supervision training video, and a fanny pack.
