Volunteers and students play an important role in supporting staff in the daily operation of licensed child care programs. This policy for the supervision of volunteers and students is in place to help support the safety and well-being of children attending the centre.
Requirements under the Child Care Early Years Act (CCEYA)
O. Reg. 137/15 11.1 under the CCEYA states that every operator shall ensure that every student or volunteer at a child care centre it operates is supervised by an employee and is not permitted to be alone with any child who receives child care at the centre.
Policy
- No child will be supervised by a person under 18 years of age
- Direct unsupervised access (i.e. when an adult is alone with a child) is not permitted for people who are not employees of the centre.
- Volunteers and/or students must be supervised by an employee at all times
- Placement students are not counted in the staffing ratios of the centre.
- Volunteers are not counted in staffing ratios of the centre.
- RECE’s and ECA’s are responsible for supervising volunteers and/or students in their respective classrooms
Procedures under the CCEYA Applicable to Volunteers and Students
Volunteers and students will meet the following CCEYA requirements:
- Behaviour management policies and procedures will be reviewed with and signed off by volunteers and students who will be providing care or guidance at the centre before they begin and at least annually afterwards;
- The individual plan(s) for a child with anaphylaxis and the emergency procedures will be reviewed with and signed off by volunteers and students who will be providing care or guidance at the centre before they begin and at least annually afterwards;
- The supervision policy for volunteers and students will be reviewed with volunteers and students who will be providing care or guidance at the centre before they begin and at least annually afterwards;
- The Ministry of Education Vulnerable Sector Screening policy does not apply to students placed in child care programs by an educational institution; however screening checks are routinely required by community colleges and universities prior to students beginning a placement in child care and are required by the child care centre.
Roles and Responsibilities
Supervisor
Ensure that the policy is reviewed with employees before they begin their employment and at least annually afterwards; and with volunteers or students who will be providing care or guidance at the centre before they begin and at least annually afterwards.
Provide an orientation (see below) to all volunteers and students who will be providing care or guidance to children at the centre as well as ongoing mentoring, support and monitoring.
Designate a lead RECE for each group of children in the centre who will be responsible to supervise volunteers and students when applicable and ensure this staff person’s responsibilities in regard to volunteers and students is clear.
Volunteers and students
Review all required policies, procedures and documentation before they begin to provide care or guidance to children at the centre and where applicable, at least annually afterwards.
Participate in an orientation with the supervisor before they provide care or guidance to children at the centre.
Operator
Ensure that the operator’s insurance covers volunteers and students.
Review the policy at least annually to ensure that it remains current.
Ensure that the policy is reviewed with employees before they begin their employment and at least annually afterwards; and with volunteers or students who will be providing care or guidance at the centre before they begin and at least annually afterwards.
Orientation Procedures
An orientation will be provided to help volunteers and students understand the operation of the child care program and the expectations for their placement/volunteer experience. It will include the required policy and procedure reviews set out in the Day Nurseries Act as noted on page one of this policy.
It should also include at least the following:
- A tour and orientation to the centre both indoors as well as the playground area
- A review of the emergency evacuation procedures
- A review of the centre's Policy and Procedures manual
- A discussion regarding the needs of individual children (e.g. special needs, allergies etc.)
- A review of the centre's parent handbook
- An orientation to the location and use of the Ontario Child Care Licensing Day Nurseries Manual
Accountability
The child care program will review its Sleep Policy and Procedures regularly to ensure it is current with respect to language and legislation. The policy will be reviewed and signed off by all staff, students and volunteers.