Behaviour

All children and adults are treated with equal concern and are made to feel welcome in our home. We offer a high quality childcare service for parents and children. We recognise the need to set reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of the children in our care. 

By providing a happy, well-maintained environment, the children in our care are encouraged to develop social skills to help them be accepted and welcome in society as they grow up.

We do not, and will not, administer physical punishment or any form of punishment with the intention of causing pain or discomfort, nor any kind of humiliating or hurtful treatment to any child in our care.

We endorse positive discipline as a more effective way of setting limits for children.

We keep up to date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training and by reading relevant publications.

We agree methods to manage children’s behaviour with the parent(s)/carers before the placement starts. These are discussed with parent(s)/carers during initial visits before the contract is signed to ensure appropriate care can be provided.

Wherever possible we try to meet parent(s)/carers requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records of these requirements are agreed and kept attached to the child record forms. These records are revisited and updated during regular reviews with the parent(s)/carers.

We expect parents/carers to inform us of any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other change which may affect the child(rens)’s behaviour such as a new baby, parents’ separation, divorce or any bereavement. All information shared will be kept confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.

We offer regular review meetings with the parent(s)/carers to discuss their child(ren)’s care and any issues or concerns, preferably when the child is not present. If we do not share the same first language as the child’s parent(s)/carers, we will take action to facilitate effective communication. This may include seeking guidance from the local early year’s team or CSO.

We work together with the parent(s)/carers to make sure there is consistency in the way the children are cared for. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and makes sure that the child is not confused.

We 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 to themselves, another child or ourselves or to prevent damage.

All significant incidents are recorded in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with the parent(s)/carers of the child(ren) concerned so that together we can work to resolve any behavioural issues.

From time to time children will have difficulty learning to deal with their emotions and feelings and this is a normal part of child development. We will acknowledge these feelings and try to help children to find constructive solutions in liaison with their parent(s)/carers.

Distracting and re-directing children’s activities are used as a way of discouraging unwanted behaviour in some cases the "Time Out" method may also be used.

We encourage responsibility by talking to the children about their choices and possible consequences.

We aim to be firm and consistent so that children know and feel secure in the boundaries we set.

We will respond in a positive manor and try to address issues causing  children to constantly seek attention or are disruptive.

We will ensure children maintain their self esteem by showing we disapprove of the behaviour not the child.

If we have concerns about a child’s behaviour, which are not being resolved, we will ask for permission from the parents to talk it through with another childcare professional. We may contact either PACEY, the NSPCC, health visitor or the local early years team (or other relevant advice service) for confidential advice.

Concerns that could identify a particular child are kept confidential and only shared with people who need to know this information.