If you were outside with 10-3 yr olds and 1 needed to use the bathroom what would you do? Youre the only teach

Question

you are the only teacher avail. This is at a daycare.

Answer 1

First of all, you are definately over ratio. I don't know what you're state standards are for student teacher ratio for 3 yr olds... but here its 8:1. So you should have had an assistant with you.

However, if the situation arises again there are a few options. You could have your cell phone on you and call in to the office and have them send out an extra body to take the one kid to the potty. You could stick your head in the door and try to get the attention of an extra body to take the kid in. You could ask the kid if they can wait 2 mins (but only if you're planning on going in in 2 mins anyway). You take all the kids in with you -- if you've just started recess then don't have them take their coats off... ask who else needs to potty and sing some songs while you wait. If it's near the end of recess then by the time you get everyone in, potty-ed, and out again it'll be time to come in anyway.

Answer 2

take all of them to the bathroom......so they wont be alone

Answer 3

You take all the kids inside.  You cannot leave the others alone and you cannot let the one go alone.  Or, if your bathroom is right next to the door to the outside, stand in the doorway so that you can watch both (if the child can go on their own w/o help).

Answer 4

I have worked with pre school children for 30 years and can tell you that in the UK No one is allowed to be alone with 10 children of that age. What if one fell and cut their head open? You wouldnt have time to gather all the children together. Tell your boss that it is illegal for you to have this many children alone especially outdoors and you need someone at the very least within calling distance.

Answer 5

You'll have to take the whole group to the bathroom and keep an eye on them while the one kid is going.  Take the opportunity to have anyone else go who needs to--undoubtedly there will be others.

Answer 6

I teach 4 yr olds  at a daycare preschool, normally i go outside with the  3 yr old classes or i grab another teacher who has an aide

Answer 7

Where I am from 10:1 is the ratio for 3 year olds to teacher too.  I understand that you are the only teacher available.  I agree that you should take the whole class in and check who else needs to go to the bathroom.  Sing songs with group while you wait.

If you have a bathroom that is near the door, you could stand in the door way to supervise both groups, but if child in restroom needs assistance you will have to bring them all in anyway.  Plus state rep probably wouldn't appreciate.

Check with director, see what they prefer you do.

Of course, we all always send the children to the bathroom before going out, but someone always has to go again.  It is ok.  Don't punish them for having to go to the bathroom as some have suggested.  

I hope this helps.

Answer 8

I would line all of them up and walk them all to the bathroom while that one is going. Then again I would probably make all of them go so I won't have to go through all of that again for at least the next hour or two.

Answer 9

if you have 10 3 yr olds you absolutely need an assistant!!!!!!!

Answer 10

First you should ALWAYS have back up.. a way to call the office for releif. If you could not get relief then all the children should have been brought inside and another teacher or aide should have been asked to cover your room for the restroom break.  The children should never be unattended.. not insode or out.

Answer 11

Go to the bathroom with the kid. Meantime, give the other children drawing paper or some simple activity to do.

Answer 12

I dont know what state you are in but in California the ratio is 1 teacher to 12 children.....even the 3 yr olds.  Where i work when we go outside we go out with another 2 classes of the same age so as long as we arent over that ratio we are ok.  For now id take all of them.......tell them its "potty time" And have them all go or try to go......Another thing would get them to go BEFORE you go outside.  I would talk to your director and see if you could go out with another class so you dont have that problem. I will pray for you that you keep your sanity. 10 3yr olds is a lot.....i teach 9 2 yr olds! I have an aid, but still....

Answer 13

They would all have to line up.  Return to the classroom where the other children will sit in a circle and play "Duck, Duck, Goose," while the other child uses the bathroom.  

To prevent this from happening in the future,  I would be sure the kids all made a trip to bathroom prior to going outside.

Answer 14

hey people, ratio in Ohio is 1 teacher per 12 kids 3 - 4 1/2, or 1 to 14 kids 4 1/2 an older (PreK).  BY YOURSELF! you DO NOT need an aide to be with you on the playground. heck, you probably couldn't find someone unless the boss schedules you with another class for the same gym time. I taught babies, FIVE by myself. If you have an 'aide', then they can pile 12 babies 6 weeks to 18 months in your room. If one kid needs a potty break, you gotta take them all back in for the child's safety. It is a learning experience. the other kids realize "Go potty first!" before going outside cause you will take away from gym/plyground time. Some American centers are great, the majority of centers are ruled by profit. An additional person not required costs money. Sad fact of US childcare.

Answer 15

I'd talk to your director/boss--10 3yr olds is over every state ratio that I know of!  I've been in your situation (and the state came in that day--fun fun fun!) and the only safe choice is to take ALL of them to the bathroom!  (the whole they ALL have to be in sight rule) Unless you are lucky like I was at my last daycare, there was a classroom right inside the playground door--I could pass the one kid to the toddler teacher to supervise him going...

Answer 16

If you cant get someone else to come watch the others, you would have to line them all up, get them in as quick as possible, and have the 1 go.. Then I would make it a routine to make sure that everyone used the bathroom before you went outside... it would save on a lot of trips...

Answer 17

I would ask evryone if they need to use the restroom, then have everyone line up by the restroom, and only let the people that needed to use it. then after everyone is done.. Go back to what u guys were doing..

Answer 18

I work at a Daycare facility and I understand the problems and circumstances that my arise.

What I suggest is that you always take your group to the restroom b4 you head outside.

Now if your already outside and one of the children has to go to the bathroom you need to line up the children and take them all inside to the restroom. Explain to them that it is not fair to the rest of the group that they stop playing for a bathroom break so all of them should go at the same time and you will not be stopping again.

If this is a problem child that you feel is using the restroom as an excuse just to roam you dont let them go and if they have an accident you explain to their parents the situation.

Answer 19

I ran an early childhood program for 27 years. You need to speak to your Director, under no circumstances should you be alone with 10 children - you are being put in a position which could leave you and the school liable should there be an accident, let alone that it is unsafe for themand stressful for you. For now, take them all with you. Keep it positive and don't make it the child's fault who has to use the toilet. Sing songs and march in together - it could become a community building experience!

Answer 20

If it was the group consisted of kids of the same s*x then I would let them all use the bathroom even if they didnt need to go. If it was a mixed s*x group then... I'ld split the group by age. Have all the 10-7 year olds stay and tell them that they would get a reward if they behaved. And take the younger ones to the bathroom.

And by the way... dont they allow kids ( to a certain age) of the opposite s*x into the other s*x's bathrooms

Answer 21

Isn't there a legal ratio of caregivers to kids for 3 year olds? And it sounds like there sure be at least 2 caregivers watching those kids. You should talk to the director.

Answer 22

well the preschool i work at has the toilet door backing onto the outdoor area ,,when a child need 2 go to the toilet a staff member stands outside the door so she can still see the child and the other children playing .....

you need an assistant anyways .. what if you need to go inside yourself?? you cant leave 1 staff member and 10 kids outside .. keep the staff/children ratios in mind

Answer 23

I would call a bathroom break, get them all in a buddies line (pair them up) and take them all to the bathroom.

Answer 24

depends on daycare policy, but personally, i would take everyone in for a drink & bathroom break.

Answer 25

In the future, have all of the children potty before going outside.

Answer 26

What state are you in?  I run a child care and my ratio is two adults to ten students.  I have a third person that is part time that comes in to give my two full time staff breaks and planning time.  In answer to your question:  you have to take them all inside with you.  I never allow one staff person to take children out because you never know what can happen.  Ten three year olds would be a lot to handle on a playground.

Answer 27

you would need to get another teacher to come out or take all the children to the bathroom with you.

Answer 28

just bring them all.

or do the buddy system.

?

Answer 29

Send the one who needs to go to the bathroom.  Supervise the other nine.  Otherwise, hire an assistant.