Rule 5180:2-14-08 | Supervision of children and child guidance for a certified in-home aide.
(A) What are the requirements for supervision for a certified in-home aide (IHA)?
The IHA is to:
(1) Leave no child unsupervised. Supervision means:
(a) Ensuring children are within sight or hearing at all times.
(b) Being aware of the developmental and behavioral needs as well as and parental preferences of the child(ren) in care.
(c) Maintaining situational awareness of the children in care at all times. Maintaining situational awareness may include the use of analog or digital technology (including mirrors) to supplement direct observation of the children in care but may not be the sole means of observation. It also includes, but is not limited to, being:
(i) Aware of the activity a child is engaged in and being near enough to protect children from harm, meet their basic needs and respond to emergent circumstances.
(ii) Near enough to observe, respond, and anticipate reasonably foreseeable hazards and threats.
(iii) Able to summon another adult for assistance in an emergency.
(2) Not be under the influence of any substance that impairs the IHA's ability to supervise children and/or perform duties.
(3) Not be involved in any activities that interfere with the care of the children. This includes not being involved in other employment during the hours in which care is provided.
(4) Always have immediate access to a working phone on the premises which is available and capable of making outgoing calls and receiving incoming calls. A backup method of communication, including but not limited to email, text messaging services or an additional phone, is to be accessible when the primary phone is in use.
(5) Limit children's exposure to inappropriate language, behavior or media.
(6) Provide supervised outdoor play in suitable weather for any infant over twelve months of age, toddler, preschool and school-age child cared for by the IHA for four or more consecutive daylight hours. Suitable weather is at a minimum of twenty-five to ninety degrees Fahrenheit.
(a) The IHA is to identify traffic hazards when outdoors and protect children from vehicular traffic.
(b) The IHA is to remain outdoors with infants, toddlers and preschoolers at all times.
(c) General-use trampolines, ball pits, and inflatable play equipment intended for climbing and bouncing, including but not limited to slides and bounce houses shall not be permitted for use at the home. Individual-use, personal-sized therapy trampolines no larger than forty-eight inches in diameter may be used by children under direct supervision.
(d) School-age children may be permitted in the on-site outdoor play space without the IHA as long as the children remain within sight and hearing of the IHA if both of the following occur:
(i) The children are not engaged in higher risk activities such as, but not limited to, swimming, activities with animals, or using equipment with motors or moving parts.
(ii) The IHA is always able to intervene if needed.
(e) When the outdoor play space is not on the premises, the IHA is to accompany and supervise all children in transit and at the outdoor play space.
(f) Provide access to restroom facilities and drinking water during outdoor play times.
(B) What are the requirements for supervision of school-age children?
(1) With written parent permission, school-age children may leave the home for specific activities, including:
(a) Walking to and from school.
(b) Walking home or to another destination.
(2) The written permission is to specify:
(a) Child's name.
(b) Location of the activity.
(c) Arrangements for going to and from the activity.
(d) Start and end time of the activity.
(e) Time period for when the permission is given.
(f) Parent signature and date.
(C) What are the staff/child ratio and maximum group size requirements?
The IHA is to:
(1) Care for no more than six children at any one time. No more than three of the children may be under two years of age.
(2) Not exceed the maximum capacity at any time.
(3) Be the sole provider of care in the child's home.
(4) Care for no more than two of the IHA's own children in the child's home. These children are to be counted in the maximum group size of children as designated on the certificate.
(D) What are the child guidance techniques to be used by the IHA?
(1) The IHA is to follow appendix A to this rule regarding child guidance techniques to be used with the children, including the IHA's own children.
(2) The IHA is to communicate and consult with the parent prior to implementing a specific behavior management plan. This plan is to be in writing, signed by the parent, and is to be consistent with the requirements of this rule.
(E) What are the child abuse and neglect reporting requirements?
If the IHA has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused or neglected, the IHA is to immediately make a report in accordance with section 2151.421 of the Revised Code.
Last updated July 1, 2026 at 8:40 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 5104.019
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/1982, 5/20/1983, 10/1/1983, 9/1/1986, 2/15/1988, 5/1/1989, 11/1/1991 (Emer.), 1/20/1992, 7/1/1995, 3/15/1996, 10/15/1996, 10/1/1997 (Emer.), 12/30/1997, 1/1/2001, 4/1/2003, 1/1/2007, 8/14/2008, 12/1/2009, 11/15/2010, 7/1/2011, 8/3/2013, 1/1/2014, 11/1/2015, 12/31/2016, 10/29/2017, 10/29/2021, 11/12/2023