LAC 28:CLXI.1713. Supervision

A. Children shall be supervised at all times in the center, on the playground, on field trips, on non-vehicular excursions, and during all water activities and water play activities. B. Children shall not be left alone in any room, (except the restroom as indicated in Subsection G of this), outdoors, or in vehicles, even momentarily, without staff present (except when being provided services by therapeutic professionals, or when the child is in custody of a parent or legal guardian as defined in §103 of this Part). C. A staff person shall be assigned to supervise specific children whose names and whereabouts that staff person shall know and with whom the staff person shall be physically present. Staff shall be able to state how many children are in their care at all times. D. Individuals who do not serve a purpose related to the care of children or who hinder supervision of children in care shall not be present in the center. E. While supervising a group of children, staff shall devote their time to supervising the children, meeting the needs of the children, and participating with them in their activities. F. Staff duties that include cooking, housekeeping or administrative functions shall not interfere with the supervision of children. G. Restrooms 1. Children who are developmentally able may be permitted to go to the restroom independently at an early learning center, provided that: a. a staff member is in proximity to and can see the children to ensure immediate intervention to safeguard a child from harm or to assist with an accident while in the restroom; b. individuals who are not staff members or therapeutic professionals may not enter the center restroom area while in use by any child other than their own child, c. if a prekindergarten program or early learning center is part of a school with children in kindergarten or older, staff shall ensure that the children enrolled in the prekindergarten program or early learning center are not unsupervised when in the restroom at the same time as any older children who are using the restroom; and d. for any facility constructed after January 1, 2026, there shall be designated separate restrooms for the children enrolled in the prekindergarten program or early learning center. 2. A child age five and older may be permitted to go and return from the restroom without staff. H. Play Yard. When children are at the play yard, the supervising staff member must be able to summon another adult staff member without leaving the children unsupervised. I. Water Activities. Staff shall actively supervise children engaged in water activities and shall be able to see all parts of the swimming pool, including the bottom. J. Rest Time 1. If two rooms share a common doorway, one staff member may supervise the resting children in both rooms. 2. If the view of the staff supervising the children is obstructed by an object such as a low shelving unit, children shall be checked by sight by staff circulating among the resting children.