Basic Rule: A child is not permitted to behave in a manner that may hurt him/herself or another person, or damage any property.
Our teachers want to reinforce the home in establishing positive attitudes and behavior. Teachers will work with each child according to their individual needs and stage of development. The child’s developmentally appropriate social behavior, self-control, and respect for the rights of others are encouraged. All discipline is done in love and as positively as possible. We strive to be fair and consistent. We do not use discipline that is frightening, cruel, hazardous or humiliating. In compliance with Washington State Law, we do not allow corporal punishment by any person on the premises, including:
- Biting, shaking, jerking, slapping, hitting, or kicking the child,
- Or any other means of inflicting physical pain or causing bodily harm to the child.
- We do not withhold food as a punishment. Seconds of any food item are served upon the child’s request after the child has taken one small bite of each food served.
- The use of a mechanical restraint for disciplinary purpose, locked time-out in a room or closet or the use of physical restraint methods injurious to the child will not be used.
- We will not humiliate or degrade the child in front of other children.
In an emergency situation, the teacher competent to use restraint methods may use limited physical restraint when:
- Protecting persons on the premises from physical injury.
- Obtaining possession of a weapon or other dangerous object.
- Protecting property from damage
Staff members are required to document any incident involving the use of physical restraint. The parent/guardian will be called to immediately pick-up the child for the day.
We believe prevention plays a major role in nearly every discipline situation. Children grabbing toys, crying, fighting-problems are bound to happen when young children share materials and play space. We will provide ways to keep conflict to minimum by creating warm and play-filled environment. Our teachers are trained in the following strategies for problem prevention, positive limit setting, and resolving conflicts. These strategies help children begin to develop important social, language, and reasoning abilities.
- Approach Calmly, Stopping Any Hurtful Actions or Language
- Acknowledge Feelings
- Gather Information
- Restate the Problem
- Ask For Ideas For Solutions And Choose One Together
- Give Follow-Up Support As Needed
- Discipline shall be fair, reasonable, consistent, and related to the child’s behavior.
- Be generous with positive reinforcement for approved behavior.
- Offer an alternative activity when a child is misusing equipment or having difficulty playing with other children.
- Discuss child’s behavior with him/her.
- Provide a time-out away from activities for a calm-down period.
- Discuss child’s behavior with parents and hold a conference with parents, child, and teacher to discuss ways behavior could be changed.
Purpose: This policy provides guidance and direction to teachers and parents concerning the disciplinary procedures for socially unacceptable, disruptive and/or violent behavior of children attending A Child’s Delight Learning Center.
Reoccurrence of disruptive behavior: We require all teachers to document evidence of recurring socially unacceptable, disruptive, and/or violent behavior. The teachers will, using accepted methods of discipline, attempt to modify this behavior.
Should this socially unacceptable, disruptive and/or violent behavior continue on a regular basis, the director will discuss this behavior with the parents. As part of this discussion, that parent/guardian will be asked to cooperate in the development of a program designed to eliminate such inappropriate disruptive behavior with a reasonable period of time. The director may ask that either a physician and/ or a Child Find consultant, with the local school district, assess the child. Once the program is established; the director will provide daily information to the parent/guardian concerning the child’s progress.
If the child continues to display socially unacceptable, disruptive and/or violent behavior despite these efforts at remediation, the director will give the parent/guardian a two weeks advance notice of termination of services for the child. Should this occur, the parent/guardian could take advantage of the Child Care Resource & Referral coordinator who can assist them in locating childcare services.
A Child’s Delight Learning Center reserves the right to request a child’s withdrawal from the center if his/her behavior is consistently disruptive in such a manner it is harmful to the well being of other children and our teachers.
