“They’re Supervised” — But Are They Really? Outdoor Safety in ECE
In ECE, supervision isn’t just about ratios — it’s about actively keeping kids safe, managing conflict, and being ready to respond in real time.
A scenario I see too often: a reliever being left outside with a lot of the children while other teachers are inside handling care moments. On paper, the ratios might be met. But in reality? This is high risk — and it shouldn’t happen.
Outdoor Play Isn’t Low-Risk
Kids run, jump, climb, and explore. Gates, uneven surfaces, and playground equipment can turn an everyday activity into a potential accident in seconds. One staff member alone may struggle to:
See every child at all times
Step in quickly if a child trips, climbs incorrectly, or wanders toward a gate
Intervene in conflicts before they escalate
Support children safely while maintaining awareness of the whole group
Even for experienced staff, outdoor supervision with a large group is challenging. For a reliever who may not know the children, the routines, or the space, it’s even riskier.
Do Relievers Really Know the Playground?
Think about it:
Do they know the blind spots where children can disappear from view?
Do they know which children need extra support with emotional regulation or managing conflict?
Can they spot subtle cues that a child is about to escalate or is struggling physically?
Without that knowledge, even a competent staff member can be overwhelmed, and small incidents can escalate quickly.
Conflict Happens — And Supervisors Need to Be Present
A big part of our day is conflict resolution and proactive safety. Children will argue, squabble, and test boundaries — especially outside where movement and energy levels are high.
Leaving one person outside with most of the children:
Increases the risk that conflicts escalate
Makes it harder to intervene safely
Can lead to accidents that might have been prevented with extra supervision
Been There, Done That
Don’t get me wrong — when I was teaching, I did leave relievers outside. One day, we were down three staff: leaving myself and a regular teacher being supported by two relievers and swapping a third reliever to have a staff member from another class. I busted my ass to make sure care moments happened inside (nappy changes, bottles etc), while my regular teacher handled nap time. It was survival mode.
At the time, we told ourselves, “They’re supervised, we are checking in every few minutes, it will be ok”. But now, looking through a health and safety lens, I’m like, hmm… were they really?
I still remember another day when I came outside and found a reliever playing on their phone, even though one of the other teachers had already asked them to put it away. Moments like that make it clear: being “present” isn’t the same as active supervision.
It’s easy to justify in the moment. You’re stretched, the ratios are technically met, and everything seems under control. But hindsight shows just how risky it can be — especially outdoors where kids run, climb, and explore. Being “present” isn’t the same as actively watching, anticipating, and managing risks.
Safety and focus can’t be optional — especially when you’re responsible for a group of children.
Practical Solutions
Split groups if needed — Two adults outside is safer than one, especially with bigger groups.
Relievers support smaller groups or indoor tasks — They can help with supervision in lower-risk settings until they’re familiar with routines and children.
Orientation is key — A quick walkthrough of playground hazards, blind spots, and children’s specific needs makes relievers more effective.
Use your supervision plan — But make sure it reflects reality, not just ratios on paper.
Bottom Line
HSWA isn’t about ticking boxes — it’s about practical steps to keep children safe.
Outdoor supervision is high-risk. One staff member alone with most of the children? That’s not just risky — it’s unnecessary.
Supervision plans and ratios are frameworks — the real work is knowing the space, the children, and the dynamics, and making sure staff are supported to manage both safety and conflict effectively.
Ask yourself: if something were to go wrong, would you be able to justify to a) the parent and b) WorkSafe why it happened? Policies alone don’t protect children — practical, attentive supervision does.