Managing Behaviour Policy
Rationale
We believe that all children have the right to expect positive approaches to managing their behaviour, which foster self-esteem, respect, tolerance and self-control enabling them to develop to their full potential as individuals. By providing a happy, safe environment, where reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of the children are set, the children in my care will be encouraged to develop social skills to help them be accepted and welcomed in society as they grow up.
The person responsible for managing behaviour in this setting is Thomas Carroll.
Procedure
How we help children to learn what is expected
We agree methods to manage children’s behaviour with parents/carers before the placement starts. Wherever possible we try to meet the parent/carer’s request for the care of their child according to their beliefs. These are discussed with parents/carers during the initial visits to aid with consistency of behaviour management strategies, as children learn what is expected of them by copying the adults around them. We role model the positive behaviour we wish to see from the children including always saying please and thank you to the children. We always praise wanted behaviour as children love to please their important adults and praise the children to their parents/carers and other people when they have behaved as expected.
We set clear and realistic boundaries for children that are appropriate to their age and level of understanding, and apply them consistently. A consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and helps to ensure that a child is not confused. We ensure that children have lots of attention so that they don’t need to seek attention by misbehaving and listen to what the child has to say so that they feel valued. We will discuss with parent/carers if the use of rewards i.e. star charts would be helpful for the child to be used at home and in the childminding setting.
We are aware of the different reasons why children misbehave and will endeavour to keep to routines so that the child feels safe, aware of what will happen next and are not over tired or hungry. We request that parents/carers inform me of any changes to the child’s home circumstances that may affect their behaviour such as a new baby, parents/carers’ separation or bereavement.
We hope to teach children a sense of right and wrong and to regulate their own emotions so that they act considerately to others not because they might be punished. We encourage responsibility by talking to children about their choices and the possible consequences. We always explain the reason for a rule. Reasons are usually about keeping themselves or others safe, to protect others’ property or because the behaviour requested is polite. We involve the older children in agreeing the ‘house rules’ to encourage positive behaviour.
How we deal with unwanted behaviour
We do not expect young children to be ‘good’ at all times. They are in the process of learning what is expected of them and will make mistakes along the way which will be treated in a sensitive manner to increase the child’s understanding of the desired behaviour.
In order to maintain a child’s self-esteem,we only show disapproval of a child’s behaviour and never of the child.
Distraction, explanation and removal of the child from the situation (time out) are strategies that may be used to calm a situation of unwanted behaviour according to the child’s level of understanding. We may ignore the unwanted behaviour providing it will not hurt themselves or others.
We never give corporal punishment to a child. We never threaten corporal punishment, use or threaten any punishment that would harm a child’s well-being. We will take all reasonable steps to ensure that corporal punishment is not given by any person who also has contact with the child whilst in our care. We will only physically restrain a child where absolutely necessary to manage their behaviour or when necessary to avert immediate danger of personal injury to the child, another person or damaging property. A written record will be kept and shared with parents/carers on the same day or as soon as reasonably practicable. If any sanctions are to be used they are always discussed and agreed with parents/carers first. Withholding food will never be used as a form of punishment for unwanted behaviour.
If a child is injured by another child’s behaviour, the injured child will be comforted and any first aid given as appropriate. The child who has caused the injury will be removed from the situation and be given an explanation of why their behaviour is not acceptable according to their level of understanding. A written record will be made and shared with both parents/carers retaining confidentiality. Parents/carers will be requested to sign this record on the same day or as soon as reasonably practicable.
Significant or repeated instances of unwanted behaviour that are unable to be managed by the steps identified above are shared with parents/carers.We aim to discuss this with you out of hearing of your child. This may mean an arrangement is made to discuss this either by telephone or in person at a more convenient time. Discussions are held with the parent/carer on new strategies to support the child’s unwanted behaviour or obtaining advice from another professional service in order to gain additional help for the child.