A blind spot is any area in the classroom where you are unable to see the children from every vantage point. You should be able to see the children from a standing or sitting position. When blind spots are removed you are able observe all of the children no matter if they are playing in an area, at the table, or sitting on the floor.
To check for blind spots: you should walk around the classroom and observed all areas from different vantage points. This will determine if you have any blind spots or potential area for blind spots. When reviewing the classroom for blind spots you have to remember that children will go into small spaces to hide. The classroom should be checked for blind spots when you originally set-up, when you rearrange the developmental area, and periodically to ensure that there are not any blind spots.
The Advantages
The advantage of eliminating blind spots within the classroom is that you can always observe the children. This will allow you to always know through observation what is going on in the classroom.
Never having to tell a parent that you did not know or observe what happened to their child when the receive an injury at the center.
You can see how the children are interacting with each other.
You have developmental areas that allow the children can flow through freely without any restrictions.
The Disadvantages
The disadvantage of blind spots within the classroom is that you cannot always observe the children. You will not always know what the children are doing in classroom.
Children have been injured at the center in blind spots and the staff will not know how the child was injured.
Children have engaged in inappropriate behavior unnoticed in the classroom.
Children have engaged in inappropriate touching.
Staff have been inappropriate with children in the classroom. Having cameras in the classroom may help but reducing blind spots to start is even better.
Staff tend to be inappropriate with the children in the area where they know others cannot observe their behavior.
Children can be left unattended in the classroom because the staff could not see them and they left the classroom thinking that it was empty. This is also true of the outdoor playground area.
Therefore, eliminating blind spots within your classroom will create a safer environment for all of the children and a higher level of comfort for the parents. I can assure you that the last thing that any parent wants to hear when their child has an injury is that the staff has no idea what happened. Overall, parents will maintain a higher level of comfort at a center when staff are able to communicate how their child was injured. Remember that as soon as a parent’s comfort level is broken as it relates to trust in the center, they will start looking for another child care facility for their child.