Discipline is not a "bad word". It is our duty as parents and caregivers to guide, teach and help develop our children. Children's behavior will be guided by setting clear limits or rules. The goal of the discipline policy is to help children develop self-control and a sense of responsibility for their own actions. We try to stress two main patterns of behavior, respect of other people and respect for property. Children are respected as individuals and need the opportunity to make decisions concerning their behavior in order to learn acceptable behavior patterns. No matter what a child has done, the child will NEVER be told that he/she is naughty or bad, but that his/her actions will not be allowed.
The first part of the discipline policy focuses on PREVENTATIVE DISCIPLINE. This means averting potential problems before they materialize. Examples of this are:
1. Positive reinforcement
2. Positive redirection
3. Modeling behavior
4. Positive verbal interaction
The second part of the discipline policy is AFTER THE FACT discipline. We recognize that not all unacceptable behavior can be prevented. When a child has acted inappropriately, you intervene and focus on the behavior. Examples of these measures are:
1. Offering positive alternatives
2. Warnings and logical consequences
3. Time-Out
Time-outs involve your child sitting away from the other children, within our supervision, for one minute per year of age. If misbehavior becomes a chronic problem, the issue will be discussed with the parents. This is to provide continuity in discipline between our homes and allow for appropriate steps to be taken to correct the matter.
Children under 18 months of age will be redirected to another acitivity if and when necessary to discourage unacceptable behavior.
You will be contacted immediately regarding sever behavior issues. If a child exhibits aggressive behavior that involves repeatedly physically hurting anyone, the parent may be called to remove their child from daycare for the remainder of the day.
We reserve the right to discontinue childcare for anyone whose behavior is detrimental to the general well-being of other children receiving care.