Policies & Procedures

Behaviour Policy

We believe that children and adults flourish best in an ordered environment in which everyone knows what is expected of them and children are free to develop their play and learning without fear of being hurt, hindered or bullied by anyone else. We aim to provide a setting where children can develop self-discipline and self-esteem in an atmosphere of mutual respect and encouragement.

Staff, Volunteers and Students

We have a named person who has overall responsibility for issues concerning behaviour. The named person is required to keep themselves and the setting up-to-date with legislation, research and thinking on handling children's behaviour.

All staff, volunteers and students are required to provide a positive model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy. The use of positive strategies in dealing with conflict is expected at all times.

Rules governing the conduct of the Pre-school and the behaviour of the children, staff, volunteers and students will be discussed and agreed within the pre-school and explained to all newcomers.

The Children

We use praise and endorse desirable behaviour such as kindness and sharing to develop each child's respect for themselves, others and their environment.

In any case of misbehaviour, it will always be made clear to the child or children in question that it is the behaviour and not the child that is unwelcome. If the need arises they will be given one to one adult support to identify any problem and support will be given on how to cope more appropriately. In some cases this might be accomplished by a period of time out with an adult.

Techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children such as the naughty chair will not be used.

The use or threat of physical punishment such as smacking or shaking a child is never be used by any member of staff or volunteer. Shouting or the raising of voices in a threatening manner is never used to respond to the children's behaviour.

Physical restraint, such as holding a child for the purpose of preventing any injury to themselves, any other children or adults will be used. In this event the details of what happened, action taken, by whom and names of witnesses are recorded on an Incident Form. The parent is informed on the same day and is asked to sign the Incident Form showing that they have been informed.

Discriminatory remarks, bullying or any other kind of abuse are not welcome in the setting. If any such episode should occur we:

Intervene and explain it is the behaviour that is unacceptable.
Give reassurance to any other child involved.
Help the child to say sorry for their actions.
Praise the child when they display acceptable behaviour.
Where required discuss with parents any recurring unacceptable behaviour.

Work in partnership using Objective Observation Records to help understand the cause of the behaviour and jointly decide on how to appropriately respond.

Share with the parents of any other child involved in the incident and explain that the child is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of behaving.

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