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Read the following scenarios. Decide whether the adults are in compliance with ratio guidelines for your workplace. Regardless of compliance is the situation a problem? Finally, think of solutions; What should the team members have done? What would prevent the problem in the future?

1. You teach in a room with two other adults. One of the adults doesn’t come in today but calls a volunteer who came on the field trip last week to fill in for her. There are 25 children that have come to the program today.

   Compliance: Yes. There are two adults (other than the volunteer) and 25 children. This meets a standard 1:15 ratio.

   Problem: Yes

   Solution: It is not OK for the staff member to call a volunteer to sub for her and count as ratio. The program ratio may not include volunteers unless they can meet personnel qualifications and are regularly taking part in the program. This volunteer only came to one field trip and is not familiar with the children. In this situation, the volunteer is not needed to meet staff- child ratio, but if she were, it would not be OK.

    
2. You and two other adults are supervising 20 children. During free choice this morning, you turn to ask your co-teacher, Erin, a question. You cannot find her in the program space. Through the vision panels in the door, you see her in the hallway on her cell phone. She did not say a word to you or the other adult before stepping out.

   Compliance: Yes. There are two adults and 20 children. This meets a standard 1:15 ratio.

   Problem: Yes.

   Solution: It is not OK for Erin to leave the room without telling her coworkers. Schedule a meeting and say, “Erin, it made me really nervous when I couldn’t find you. It didn’t feel safe. Can we talk about ways to let each other know when we need to step out? It’s important that we make eye contact and make sure we all know where the adults and children are at all times.”

    
3. You are supervising a game of basketball in the gym with 10 children. Jimmy was running down the court dribbling the ball when he slipped and slid down the court. He has knocked his head on the ground and needs medical attention. You are the only person in the gym.

   Compliance: Yes. There are only 10 children. This meets the standard of 1:15 ratio.

   Problem: Yes.

   Solution: Emergencies are events that are not predictable, but we still must be prepared for them. It is not OK to leave children unsupervised. Staff- child ratio still must be maintained. A second staff member must be in the building and able to assist in order to keep ratio and still get the medical attention for Jimmy.