Behaviour Management Policy

 

 

 

Rationale:

 

Children learn best in an environment which is positive, warm, open, encouraging and non-threatening.

An environment that is founded on clear-cut guidelines of behaviour.

At Tiny Turtles Educare, all the children’s rights will be respected at all times and they will be treated with dignity. Every child will be given positive guidance.

When a child is in the midst of strong emotions, he/she cannot accept advice or consultation, or constructive criticism, but needs acknowledgment of their feelings.

 

 

Objective:

 

It is recognised that children do not always behave in ways that are acceptable to others. This policy seeks to set some guidelines for staff at Tiny Turtles Educare to direct their approach in managing child behaviour.

This policy is made available to parents to ensure they are aware of and understand the guidelines and actions staff may take.

 

 

Procedure:

 

The routines and boundaries which are set within our programme at Tiny Turtles Educare provide security but are flexible enough to allow children to explore and find their own potential and limits.

Boundaries need to be set that are logical, practical, age appropriate and clear to both the adults and children.

Our low staff-to-child ratios allow time for staff to interact with children – helping, encouraging, praising and talking to them. This enables staff to reinforce set guidelines regularly before things get out of control, and to give plenty of positive reinforcement (eg. praise, acknowledgement, sticker rewards, stamp rewards, hugs, smiles, thumbs up etc).

As stated in the ECE Regulations 2008, no child will be subjected to any form of physical ill treatment. Therefore, Tiny Turtles Educare is definitely a smack-free zone for all adults and children; this includes parents with their own children while on Tiny Turtles Educare premises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Management of misbehaviour:

 

Children’s misbehaviour and the management of it should be considered as part of the learning process.

 

Management and staff should ensure that there is sufficient equipment and stimulating experiences offered to minimise behaviour problems.

Development opportunities for appropriate behaviour skills will be available in the provision of learning activities that involve listening, sharing and cooperation.

 

In the event of misbehaviour, careful observation of the complete situation is essential, with positive intervention by staff when necessary.

The adult’s response to misbehaviour is as much “on trial” as the misbehaviour itself.  Here at Tiny Turtles Educare teachers need to ensure that their response is fair, impartial and provides positive guidance to the child.

 

The child’s misbehaviour needs to be clearly explained to the child, in a way that they will understand and the reasons why it is unacceptable. Subsequent good behaviour should be praised and encouraged.

 

In instances where a child is not able to exercise self-control and the situation has escalated to a point where the refuses redirection of their attention, the staff member will use “cool down time” where the child will spend time in a quiet relaxed place where they are given the space to calm down, and once they have regained self-control the staff member who initiated the “cool-down time” measure should be the one to reintroduce the child back into the normal setting.  It must be noted that this action is not to be seen as punishment, but rather an opportunity for the child to have some space from the situation where they can calm down and refocus on enjoying the rest of their time at Tiny Turtles Educare.

 

Note and acknowledge appropriate behaviour as soon as possible.

It may be appropriate for the Supervisor to spend time with the child to explain what was wrong and why.

 

If the misbehaviour is not remedied, then written observations will be taken and analysed. The behaviour will then be discussed at a staff meeting, then with the parent(s) with a view to supporting the child, family and staff to work through the situation.

 

When a child is hurt by another child (eg. hit, pinched or verbally abused) they are to be encouraged to express their feelings of hurt or anger verbally and/or facial expression instead of physically. For example, the hurt child is encouraged to say “Stop it, I don’t like you hitting me”.

 

 

 

 

Ideas for rewards/incentives:

- Give special tasks to do with responsibility to all children. Ensure to include children who may sometimes be using inappropriate behaviour.

- Continually write “I am so proud of you” in the children’s profile. Focus on the positive and build self-esteem.

- Stickers and stamps.

 

 

Management of extreme behaviour:

If the behaviour of the child is continually disruptive and unable to be managed using the above procedure, then it is important that the following procedure is followed and documented:

 

- Staff need to meet together and discuss the behaviour that is causing concern, and ensure that they all know the guidelines to follow to ensure consistency.  Read all relevant material available regarding the situation and seek specialist help if necessary.

 

- Observations and documentation must be carried out by the teachers describing what is happening with this child, including notes on what is happening prior to the dangerous/disruptive behaviour and following.

 

- The Supervisor is to meet with the parent(s)/caregiver(s) to discuss the problems and a plan of action is to be drawn up together and implemented by both staff and whanau.

 

- At this stage, if the parent(s) give permission, it may be relevant to request help from an outside agency.

 

- If the behaviour continues to be so disruptive as to be dangerous to other children and/or staff, then the parent(s)/caregiver(s) will be called and asked to take their child home for the remainder of the session.

 

- If the above action is having to be put into place continually (eg. more than once a week). A written request would be made to the parent(s)/caregiver(s) requesting that the child be withdrawn from the roll for a number of weeks and a combined meeting held to discuss a future plan.

 

- At all times other children’s safety and other parents’ concerns must be given consideration.