Behaviour Management Policy

Going Places Nursery Ltd believes that children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave. Children gain respect through interaction with caring adults who show them respect and value their individual personalities. Positive, caring and polite behaviour will be encouraged and praised at all times in an environment where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their surroundings.

Children need to have set boundaries of behaviour for their own safety and the safety of their peers. Within the nursery we aim to set these boundaries in a way which helps the child to develop a sense of the significance of their own behaviour, in their own environment and for those around them. Restrictions on the child's natural desire to explore and develop their own ideas and concepts are kept to a minimum.

We aim to:

Recognise the individuality of all our children.
Encourage self-discipline, consideration for each other, our surroundings and property.
Encourage children to participate in a wide range of group activities to enable them to develop their social skills.
Work in partnership with parents and carers by communicating openly.
Praise children and acknowledge their positive actions and attitudes therefore ensuring that children see that we value and respect them.
Promote non-violence and encourage the children to deal with conflict peaceably.
Be part of a key worker system enabling staff to build a strong and positive relationship with children and their families.
In any case of misbehaviour, it will always be made clear to the child or children in question, that it is the behaviour and not the child that is unwelcome.
Ensure that if any form of manual or physical contact is required during a situation where a child's behaviour is deemed as unsafe to their self and to those around them you must do so according to the correct Code of Conduct procedures.
How a particular type of behaviour is handled will depend on the child's age, level of development and the circumstances surrounding the behaviour. It may involve the child being asked to talk and think about what he or she has done. It may also include the child apologising for their actions.
Parents will be informed if their child is unkind to others or if their child has been upset. In all cases inappropriate behaviour will be dealt with in nursery at the time. Parents may be asked to meet with staff to discuss their child's behaviour, so that if there are any difficulties we can work together to ensure consistency between their home and the nursery. In some cases we may request additional advice and support from other professionals, such as an educational psychologist or child guidance counsellors.
Children need to develop non-aggressive strategies to enable them to stand up for themselves so that adults and children listen to them. They need to be given opportunities to release their feelings more creatively.
Confidential records will be kept on any negative behaviour that has taken place. Parents/carers will be informed and asked to read and sign any entries concerning their child.
If a child requires help to develop positive behaviour, every effort will be made to provide for their needs.
Through partnership with parents/carers and formal observations, staff will make every effort to identify any behavioural concerns and the causes of that behaviour. From these observations and discussions an individual behaviour modification plan will be implemented.

Going Places does NOT use any form of physical or corporal punishment. Smacking, shouting, or shaking is not permitted by any staff member, student or visitor. Children will not be singled out or humiliated in any way. In general children misbehaving will be told firmly using eye contact NO thank you. Staff within the nursery will then redirect the child/ren towards alternative activities. Discussions with children will take place respecting their level of understanding and maturity. Children will be distracted from the negative situation and supported in a different activity or environment, if necessary for their own well-being and that of the others in the group.

We recognise that codes for interacting with other people vary between cultures and staff are required to be aware of this and respect those used by members of the nursery. Nursery rules are concerned with safety and care and respect for each other. Children, who behave inappropriately by physically abusing another child or adult, or through verbal bullying, will be required to talk through these actions and apologise where appropriate. The child who has been upset will be comforted and the adult will confirm that the other child's behaviour is not acceptable. It is important to acknowledge when a child is feeling angry or upset and that it is the behaviour we are rejecting, not the child.

Anti-bullying

Children need their own time and space. It is not always appropriate to expect a child to share and it is important to acknowledge children's feelings and to help them understand how others might be feeling. Children must be encouraged to recognise that bullying, fighting, hurting and discriminatory comments are not acceptable behaviour. We want children to recognise that certain actions are right and that others are wrong. Bullying takes many forms. It can be physical, verbal or emotional, but it is always a repeated behaviour that makes other people feel uncomfortable or threatened.

Any form of bullying is unacceptable and will be dealt with immediately. At Going Places Nursery, staff follow the guidelines below to enable them to deal with challenging behaviour:

Staff are encouraged to ensure that all children feel safe, happy and secure.
Staff are encouraged to recognise that active physical aggression in the early years is part of the child's development and that it should be channelled in a positive way.
Children need to be helped to understand that using aggression to get things is inappropriate and will be encouraged to resolve problems in other ways.
Our staff are encouraged to adopt a policy of intervention when they think a child is being bullied, however mild or "harmless" it may seem.
The staff are ready to initiate games and activities with children, when they feel play has become aggressive, both indoors or out.
Any instance of bullying will be discussed fully with the parents of all involved, to look for a consistent resolution to the behaviour.
If any parent has a concern about their child, a member of staff will be available to discuss those concerns. It is only by co-operation that we can ensure our children feel confident and secure in their environment, both at home and in the nursery.

By positively promoting good behaviour, valuing co-operation and a caring attitude we hope to ensure that children will develop as responsible members of society.

This policy was adopted on: 1st April 2010
Date for review: 1st April 2012