Behaviour Management Policy

We encourage the children to express themselves by using words rather than physical means.  We, therefore, always ask the child to use "your" words and tell what you want or what you don't like.  In this manner we try to help the child release or funnel a certain amount of frustration more acceptably.  The following points should be noted:

 

The Day Nurseries Act states that: {Section 45. (1)}

 

No operator shall permit,

 

(a)  corporal punishment of a child

(b)  deliberate harsh or degrading measures to be used n a child that would humiliate a child or undermine a child’s self-respect; and

(c)   deprivation of a child of basic needs including food, shelter, clothing or bedding

(d)  lock or permit to be locked for the purpose of confining a child, the

exits of a day nursery operated by the operator or location where private- home daycare is provided by the operator; or

(e)   use of a locked  or lockable room or structure to confine a child who has been withdrawn from other children

 

Use of any of the above methods would be considered extremely serious.  If a staff is observed to be using any of the above methods, we would follow Article 13, Discharge, Suspension, and Discipline procedure of the Collective Agreement between Glebe Parents' Day Care and CUPE Local 2204 (see “Contravention of Behaviour Management Policy” in the Policy and Procedures Manual).  The grievance officer appointed by the Board of Directors would be involved at every step of the disciplinary procedure. 

 

Discipline is viewed as only one method of guiding a child's behaviour in a manner that will help the child to internalize acceptable behaviour.  We try to keep discipline at a minimum, while recognizing that a certain amount is needed to ensure that a child does not routinely demonstrate unacceptable behaviour.  Unacceptable behaviour is detrimental not only to the child's individual development; it also interferes with the well being of all the children in our care.

 

 

The policy at the Glebe Parents' Day Care is to approach each child's behaviour on an individual basis, keeping in mind the child's developmental age, visible relationship with parents, and familiarity with the program.  Some of the guiding philosophies of our centre are the basis for our disciplinary methods.

 

 

The two most common methods used for disciplining are redirection and time out.  Redirection is used when encouraging the child to redirect their energy to another area.  Teachers try to avoid the use of many negatives:   "No", "Don't Touch", "Stop", and instead indicate the logical consequences of the child's action:  "When you hit Jane, it hurts her and makes her cry."  We do not judge the child as good or bad, and we never force them to say "I'm sorry" (they often say it only to avoid pressure and as a method of avoiding other consequences).  We often use the phrase "if you can't manage then ... ", thus letting the child know that she/he is responsible for the consequences.

 

When redirection is inappropriate for the situation, especially in the case of preschoolers and kindergarten children, time out is used.  This is a form of isolation for children who need to take time out of their activities and think about their actions.  It usually entails asking the child to sit down in a chair or in their locker for a few minutes:  i.e. "When you can manage, you may come back in and play."  Obviously a scaled down version is used with infants and toddler.

 

 

Behaviour Management Policy Addition

 

The following are steps or combination of steps that teachers in the group care setting can use to address behaviour management issues.

 

I.  These steps are used within the program as deemed necessary by the teachers in the room:

 

u RE-DIRECT the child to a new situation or facilitate problem solving according to the child’s age and development.

uRE-TEACH the appropriate behaviour.

uREMOVE the child from the over stimulation of the group to a calm area.

uRE-DESIGN the time schedule for the individual child.

uRE-DESIGN the time schedule for the group.

uRE-DESIGN the physical environment for the individual.

uRE-DESIGN the physical environment for the group.

uSPEAK to the family and work together as a team.

 

II. These parallel steps are used as required:

 

uSEEK external resources and support from Children’s Integration Support                     Services (CISS) or other organizations.

uREQUEST that a formal assessment be completed by a professional, such as:

1.           The child’s pediatrician

2.           Speech Therapist

3.           Occupational Therapist

4.           Child Psychologist

uWORK with these professionals to support the child and family.

 

These guidelines are used in conjunction with recognizing children’s age appropriate behaviours and the social development of children in a group setting.