Behaviour Management...

All children and adults will be treated with equal concern and will be made to feel welcome in our home. We will offer a quality service for parents and children alike. We recognise the need to set out reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of children in our care. We will do this by providing a happy, well-maintained environment, and the children will be encouraged to develop social skills.

We are willing to manage children’s behaviour with parents before the placement starts. Wherever possible we will try to meet parent’s requests for the care of their children according to their values and practices.

Records of these requirements will be made and attached the child’s record forms.
We will expect parents to inform me of any changes of circumstances, or care arrangements in the child’s home, or any other change that will affect the child’s behaviour, such as new baby, parent’s separation or bereavement. All information shared will be confidential unless there appears to be a child protection issue.

We like to work together with parents to make sure there is consistency in the way the children are cared for. We believe that a consistent approach benefits the child’s welfare and makes sure that the child is not confused.

We would welcome regular review meetings with parents to discuss their child’s care and issues or concerns.

We will only physically intervene, and possibly restrain, a child to prevent an accident, such as a child running onto a road, or prevent injury or damage.

All significant incidents will be recorded in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with the parents so that we can resolve any behavioural issues.

We do not and will not, administer any form of physical punishment. We will endorse positive behaviour using a positive discipline. We will aim to be firm and consistent so that children know and feel secure in the boundaries set. We will encourage responsibility by talking to children about choices and consequences.

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

We only use 'Time Out' When the child understands in advance about Time Out When it is viewed as a calming measure It is not over used

To use Time out as an effective technique we use the following guidelines. Children are told clearly which behaviours lead to Time Out. Children are shown where the time out area is in advance. We choose a safe, quiet boring place. We have a back up room to send the child if he/she refuses to stay in the Time Out area.

Time Out is short, about three minutes for a three-year-old, four minutes for a four year old, a minute for each year of a child's life.

When the child has been quiet for about two minutes invite we them to come out. If the child refuses to come out we ignore them, they will join us when they are ready. We ask the child for an apology. It is important at this point to discuss calmly and pleasantly what has happened and not lecture. The discussion is the most important part of the using Time Out effectively because during the discussion the child is taught the correct way to behave.

We will follow these guidelines: 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 parents.Distracting and re-directing children’s activities are used as a way of discouraging unwanted behaviour.We will encourage responsibility by talking to children about 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 positively to children who constantly seek attention or are disruptive.

We encourage appropriate behaviour by: Setting a good example, we aim to be a positive role model as children copy what they see. Children learn values and behaviour from adults.We will readily praise, approve and reward wanted behaviour, such sharing, to encourage it to be repeated. Using praise helps to show that we value the child and it helps to build their self esteem.We praise children to their parents and other people when they have behaved as expected.Our expectations are flexible and realistic and are adjusted to the age, level of understanding, maturity and stage of development of the child.We try to involving children in setting and agreeing house rules.We will encourage children to behave according the house rules attached to this policy. If we have any concerns about a child’s behaviour, which are not being resolved, we will ask permission from parents to talk through the behaviour with a childcare professional, such as a health visitor or a local child care advisor for confidential advice.