Behaviour Policy
To maintain a happy, safe and fun environment, we have kind hands, kind feet and kind words. I will help your child to respect their friends, personal belongings and toys.
I will help your child manage their behaviour by a combination of praise for good behaviour and a clear consistent set of boundaries. These include: no hitting, scratching or kicking; no biting or throwing things; no swearing, using rude words, or teasing and no jumping on the furniture. I will encourage responsibility, by talking to your child about choices and their possible consequences. I will help them to recognise feelings and emotions and find constructive solutions for managing them. It is really important there is a consistent approach between my setting and home, to promote positive behaviour and discourage unwanted behaviour, so your child is not being confused by mixed messages. If we work together as partners, your child will know and feel secure within the expectations set.
By responding positively to any child who constantly seeks attention by being disruptive, I will help that child maintain their self-esteem by showing I disapprove of their challenging behaviour, not the child themselves.
I believe in spotting triggers, such as feeling tired, hungry or poorly, and averting any possible upsets early on. I aim to be a positive role model, because children learn good behaviour and values, such as being kind, gentle, polite and considerate, from the adults around them. Children seek attention constantly, and if they aren’t getting it when they are being well behaved, there’s always a guaranteed way of getting it! That is why I always praise positive behaviour with rewards of smiles, hugs, words of praise, stickers or treats of trips to the park or an activity of their choice. |f positive behaviour is always acknowledged and a child feels valued and listened to, there is no need to seek attention through unwanted behaviour.
I will share your child’s achievements with you at the end of the day, including acts of kindness and sharing. This will help build your child’s self-esteem and help them to learn and develop expectations of behaviour.
If a play situation is starting to become fractious, I will help your child to share and take turns or will distract them with an attractive alternative activity.
If a child has displayed unacceptable behaviour towards another child, I will say STOP firmly, sit them to the side for time to calm down, and comfort the other child. Then turning to the child in a calm voice will explain why their behaviour was unacceptable, how it has made their friend feel (and if appropriate to their age, will ask them to say sorry), and say what is expected in the future. The way I respond to a child will be age appropriate, because as a child grows and develops our expectations of them change.
I will avoid shouting, being aggressive, humiliating or being verbally hurtful to any child in my care. At no time will I use physical punishment such as smacking, even when a parent has requested it.
I will only physically intervene, and possibly restrain a child, to prevent an accident, such as a child running into the road, or to prevent an injury or damage. I will record when this occurs and inform parents on the same day, or as soon as reasonably practicable.
I offer regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present.
Referring to my ‘Parents as Partners Policy’, I expect parents to keep me informed of any changes in home circumstance that might affect your child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce, new partner or a bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.
All significant incidents are recorded in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with parents of the child concerned so that together we can work to resolve any behavioural issues. If I have concerns about a child’s behaviour which are not being resolved, I will ask permission from the parents to talk it through with another childcare professional. I may contact pacey, the NSPCC, the child’s health visitor or a member of the Early Years Team (or other relevant advice team) for confidential advice.
I keep up to date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training and by reading relevant publications, such as ‘Practical Pre-School’, and ‘The Childcare Professional’ by pacey and ‘Nursery World’.