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Behaviour

Children’s Centre Behaviour Policy

The Children’s Centre believes in promoting positive behaviour.  We aim to encourage self-discipline, consideration for each other, our surroundings and property.  By praising children and acknowledging their positive actions and attitudes we hope to ensure that we value and respect them.

• The Children’s centre rules are concerned with safety, care and respect for each other.  Children who behave inappropriately, whether by physically abusing another child or adult, e.g. by kicking or biting, or by verbal bullying, may be removed from the group of children for a short while until he/she has calmed down.

• The child who has been upset will be comforted and the adult will confirm that the other child’s behaviour is not acceptable.  It is important to acknowledge that a child is feeling angry or upset and that it is the behaviour we are rejecting, not the child.

• How a particular type of behaviour is handled will depend on the child and the circumstances.  It may involve the child being asked to talk and think about what he or she has done.  It may be that the child will not be allowed to make his or her own choice of activities for a limited period of time.

• The child will also be asked to see if the person who was upset is all right and, if they mean it, to say or show that they are sorry.  An immediate response of ‘sorry’ is not accepted if the child does not mean it, but is merely saying the word in the hope of being able to continue playing.

• In most cases, after a reasonable amount of discussion, time out will be used.  This is when the child will be asked to hold a member of staff’s hand, for a brief period of time.  The child will then be asked if he or she would like to rejoin the activity.

• In extreme cases the child will be removed from the room or garden until he or she has calmed down and had time to reflect on his or her behaviour.

• We need to give children non-aggressive strategies to enable them to stand up for themselves so that adults and children listen to them.  They need to be given opportunities to release their feelings more creatively.

• Parents/carers will be informed if their child is persistently unkind to others or their child has been upset.  In all cases inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with at the time of the incident.  Children of a very young age have a short memory and may not recall what happened at a later date.

• Parents/carers may be asked to meet with staff to discuss their child’s behaviour, so that if there are any difficulties we can work together to ensure consistency between nursery and home.

• In some cases we may request additional advice and support from other professionals such as the Educational Psychologist or Childcare Advisor.

• Children do need there own time and space.  It is not always appropriate to expect a child to share and it is important to acknowledge children’s feelings and to help them understand how others might be feeling.

• Children must be encouraged to recognise that bullying, fighting, hurting and racist comments are not acceptable behaviour.  We want children to recognise that certain actions are right and that others are not.

By positively promoting good behaviour, valuing co-operation and a caring attitude we hope to ensure that children develop as responsible members of the society.