I will be working at a daycare afterschool....?

Question

and the supervisor told me that i will be alone with 15 kids with no one to help me after the teachers leave....i dont think that that's possible....how am i going to be by myself with all those kids....is this normal because i find it hard to believe....thxs

Answer 1

I think the  ratio depends on the age of the kids. If the kids are school age(k-5) you can have more kids to your self. If they are younger than five I think you can have 10 to yourself. I had school age kids and I would have 20 kids grades 1-6.

I used to have various centers set up at the tables and during  free time the kids would rotate around to the different tables (set the amount of people in each group). Also set on the tables only what you want them to play with. Have them ask you if they want to get out something else.  I would suggest setting up a routine so the children know what to expect. For example they have free time,homework time,snack,outside time.  If it is to unstructured   the kids will go crazy. Where I work now the kids check in(they have a board and they move their name to the present section of the board) and then go to centers.

Answer 2

No, by law you are allowed to supervise only 12 children at a maximum and this is dependent on age's of kid's as well. Look into it at your local department of human services.

Answer 3

Must be school-age children.  The ratio is higher for K and up.  And yes, I've done this group on my own.  I do hope that someone is with you for the first week or so.  

I suggest you get a routine going. Here is what I use to do and it worked out well.

Upon arrival,

*  Group Meeting (we do not call this circle time with the older kids).    

        Some sort of attendence activity

        Any info that needs to be shared

        A group game...each day I did something different...

              Think a grams were very popular (of course I had a "treat" basket and when they answered the think a gram correctly they could choose a treat.  They could choose 2...if they answered correctly another time..then they could give that candy/treat to another child who has yet to get one).  The kids could go through my books or use my made index card think-a-grams and they drew it on the board and the children guessed.

              Silent Ball

              Share 'n' Tell

              Science experiment, etc.  

              Game Day- the children wrote down acceptable quick group games and if you are doing child of the day/week that child gets to choose a slip of paper and read the game.

* Snack- usually I had two children get the snack ready for the rest of the group during our group meeting.  They liked that.  At snack...the kids loved it when they could choose a chapter book and I read a chapter or two a day.  This also keeps wild behavior from becoming to wild.  :-)

* Free Time- I had art & shelves, game shelves, Daily Detectives, Guessing jars, large space to large games, homework table, blocks, a space for an ongoing mural, library area, computers, dough of some sort to mold, etc.  

* we had outdoor time and/or gym time.  Since you have only yourself...everyone will have to go.  Remember to take your walkie-talkie so you can contact someone in building (hopefully you'll have one), your first aid kit, water/cups.  Set a procedure for bathrooms and etc.  Most likely you won't have a gym but for those weeks that the weather is inclimate all week long...I would suggest you rearrange the room (as a special treat) and do large motor games in your classroom.

* as the day came to a close and the children usually did easy clean up activities... design coloring, homework, puzzles, a board game, etc.          

        

Answer 4

I agree with msndmo about the requirements that are unique to not only the age but the laws in that state.  I would think that perhaps you misunderstood the explanation of your role as you are without experience and this seems a ridiculous request of you along with being suspectfully dangerous.  I think you should first think of yourself and what your motivations are within this job....do you want to do this in the future, is this a honest way to make some money and help others  etc...  You should understand that there are laws that protect the children to be cared for in regards to ratios and qualifications.  After-school care is without pause the greatest job I have ever had.  I would suggest that you first get yourself excited about this by focusing on what is so unique and incredible about this.  I think page123 brings up something to consider but ultimately it is your personality that will be executing this. I disagree with this having that much structure.  These kids have been in school all day being in seats, walking in line, performing tasks etc.  Remember how you couldn't wait to get home from school and play with your friends?  If you act as a person who not only understands this but invites it.....you will be facilitating where these guys are.  They will show you appreciation and respect within this environment because now THEY can have some control. This relieves almost all of the stress you are experiencing.  Go to the NAEYC website and type in after-school.  You will get some understanding of this age.  Ultimately you are learning too so dont over think this one.  Children need forums to make decisions, negotiate and feel a sense of community.  YOU can make all this happen.  Please dont control this too much and allow these children to represent themselves with you GUIDING.  You can write me back if you care to.  I am no expert but taught and directed boys and girls clubs/ pre-school  for 20 years.  Listen to this as my truth...."Keep it simple, let go of the control, be yourself and put as much energy as you can in the RELATIONSHIP"  A book to read would be THE POWER OF GUIDANCE BY DAN GARTRELL.  You can find many exerpts online from this.

Good Luck and call the director back about what the ratios are.

Answer 5

12 kids is the max.

theyre over working you...

keep a good eye on those kids because any little thing that happens is gonna lay on you.

the daycare will get introuble for having 1 person w.o help watching over 12(max) children...

your gonna be soo tired...hope you like kids lol

good luck..i cant handle the 2 maniacs i have alone lol

Answer 6

In NY if you don't have a license your not allowed to be left alone with them. I would definately check this out. I've been there before and I left the daycare and found a better job.  

Answer 7

it depends on what state you live in, if your center is licensed or not, your qualifications and the ratios for your state.  check out the following url to find the information you need.  if you find it isn't legal you need to let licensing know and not put yourself in that situation.  and if it is legal and you are still uncomfortable then don't take the position there.

http://nrckids.org/STATES/states.htm

Answer 8

The state ratios depend on what state you live in.  In Michigan the ratio for 4-year-olds is 1:12, 3 year-olds 1:10, and you must go by the youngest child when determining the ratios. So find out what the ratios are for your state.  If you are not in ratio, you might want to find a new job, and you need to call state and report them immediately!  You can report them anonymously.  Good luck.

Answer 9

By my state's law, you have to be at least 16 to be alone with a group of kids.  Also double check the ratios in your state. For my state, the ratio of kids in a daycare is 1 to 10 for preschool. For school age kids, the ratio is 1 to 15. For babies, the ratio is 1 to 4 and in the toddler room, I think the ration is 1 to 7