Supervision Zones

The concept of supervision zones is a practical strategy to enhance child safety and educator accountability where educators are assigned to actively supervise and engage with children.

What Are Supervision Zones?

Supervision Zones are clearly defined physical areas within a childcare environment—indoors and outdoors—where educators are assigned to actively monitor and engage with children. Each zone is mapped, staffed, and documented to ensure:

Consistent visibility of all children
Clear staff responsibility for specific areas
Minimised blind spots and transition risks

Why Use Supervision Zones?

Recent regulatory reminders and sector incidents have highlighted the need for stronger supervision systems. Supervision Zones help:

Prevent passive or unclear supervision
Support real-time headcounts and transitions
Clarify staff roles and reduce confusion during breaks or handovers
Enhance emotional safety through predictable adult presence

Why They Matter

Recent sector reports and regulatory reminders have highlighted serious incidents involving children being lost, left behind, or locked in rooms. Supervision Zones directly address these risks by:

Preventing passive supervision or “floating” staff roles
Supporting real-time headcounts and transitions
Reducing confusion during staff handovers or breaks
Enhancing emotional safety through predictable adult presence

How to Implement Supervision Zones

Map the Environment
- Divide indoor and outdoor spaces into manageable zones
- Label each zone clearly (e.g., “Sandpit Zone,” “Quiet Corner,” “Art Station”)
Assign Staff to Zones
- Ensure each zone has a designated educator
- Rotate staff only with documented handovers
Train for Active Supervision
- Educators should scan, engage, and respond—not just observe
- Use checklists and visual cues to support zone awareness
Document Transitions and Coverage
- Record who is in each zone and when
- Include supervision zones in daily risk assessments
Adapt for Emotional Safety
- Avoid isolating children in low-traffic zones
- Ensure zones support inclusive, trauma-informed interactions

Supervision Zones by Age Group

Infants (0–2 years)

Key Priorities: Safety, sensory regulation, secure attachment

Zone Examples:

Soft Play & Tummy Time Zone
Feeding & Bottle Prep Zone
Nappy Change & Hygiene Zone
Sleep & Settling Zone

Supervision Tips:

Maintain 1:1 or 1:2 supervision where possible
Prioritise proximity and gentle verbal cues
Monitor for choking hazards and safe sleep practices

Toddlers (2–3 years)

Key Priorities: Mobility, exploration, emotional regulation

Zone Examples:

Sensory Play Zone (e.g., water, sand)
Construction & Manipulative Play Zone
Quiet Retreat Zone
Meal & Snack Zone

Supervision Tips:

Position educators to anticipate movement and redirect safely
Use visual boundaries (e.g., rugs, shelving) to define zones
Support transitions with visual cues and consistent routines

Preschoolers (3–5 years)

Key Priorities: Independence, social play, risk-taking
Zone Examples:

Dramatic Play & Role-Play Zone
Outdoor Gross Motor Zone
Art & Creative Expression Zone
Literacy & Numeracy Exploration Zone

Supervision Tips:

Assign educators to zones with clear visibility and engagement roles
Encourage child-led play while maintaining active scanning
Use zone rotations to balance supervision and relationship-building

Mixed-Age or Multi-Room Services

Use color-coded zone maps to support flexible supervision
Ensure handover protocols are followed during transitions
Adapt zones to reflect developmental stages, not just age

Q: Can Supervision Zones Work With Only 2 Educators?

A: Supervision Zones can be effectively implemented with just two educators by simplifying the environment into clearly defined, manageable areas—such as an active play zone and a quiet/rest zone.

Each educator is assigned to a zone and remains actively engaged, scanning and interacting with children while maintaining visibility and emotional availability. Throughout the day, educators rotate between zones using brief, documented handovers to ensure continuity and coverage.

This system helps prevent passive supervision, clarifies responsibilities, and supports real-time headcounts during transitions. Even with a small team, supervision zones promote child safety, emotional regulation, and predictable adult presence—especially when paired with visual cues, consistent routines, and trauma-informed practices.

Supervision Zone In Action

It’s mid-morning, and the children are transitioning to outdoor play. The educators have mapped the yard into two zones:

Zone A: Active Play Area – includes climbing equipment, bikes, and sandpit
Zone B: Quiet Exploration Area – includes a reading tent, nature corner, and water play

Educator Priya is assigned to Zone A. She positions herself near the climbing frame, scanning the entire area while engaging children in safe risk-taking. She keeps a clipboard with a headcount and checks in every 15 minutes. When a child moves toward the sandpit, she shifts her stance to maintain visibility.

Educator Tom is in Zone B. He sits near the reading tent, gently narrating a story while watching children explore the nature corner. He notices one child becoming withdrawn and offers a sensory activity to support emotional regulation.

During the session, Priya and Tom communicate verbally and visually. When Priya needs to escort a child inside for a nappy change, she signals Tom, who temporarily expands his supervision to cover both zones. Once Priya returns, they debrief and reassign.

This system ensures: