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8.14 Behaviour Management

SCOPE OF THIS CHAPTER

This chapter was significantly edited in January 2011 and should be re-read in its entirety.

In partnership with parents and carers, Wakefield MDC has a duty of care to maintain safety and welfare of all children who access its Early Years Services.

Children need to have set boundaries of behaviour for their own safety and the safety of their peers. Within the Neighbourhood 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, both on their own environment and those around them. We encourage children's natural desire to explore and develop their own ideas and concepts. There are occasions, however, where children's behaviour does become more challenging and this has to be managed safely by nursery staff. Sanctions applied in the case of challenging behaviours must take account of the age and stage of development of the child, be relevant to the action or actions and be fair.

The Nursery Manager shall ensure that the parents/carers are fully informed about and support the actions being taken to modify the child's behaviour.

Corporal punishment (slapping, smacking, or shaking) will never be acceptable practices and will not be used. However it may be necessary to use restraining action in an emergency to prevent personal injury or serious damage to property. Should it be necessary to restrain a child, this must be documented and parents made aware on the same day.

Parents / carers should feel free to discuss any concerns they may have with the Nursery Manager about their child's behaviour or the behaviour of other children within the setting. All matters will be treated in the strictest confidence.

The Nursery will operate principles of good practice promoting a preventative approach to behaviour management. This will include the use of:-

  • Praise and Rewards
  • Listening, exploring and explaining
  • Identifying and removing triggers which result in challenging behaviour.
  • Thinking time which may result in the child being removed from the immediate situation with a member of staff to reflect on their behaviour and defuse the situation

The child who has been upset will be comforted and the adult will acknowledge the impact of the incident on the child and how they may be feeling. Parents of the child will be informed.

Parents will be informed if their child is demonstrating challenging behaviours.

If this is persistent parents may be asked to meet with staff to discuss how they and their child may be supported most effectively. This will work towards a consistent approach both in nursery and at home.  Parents may also be offered assistance to receive support and guidance from other professionals/agencies where appropriate.

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