DISCIPLINE POLICY

My objective is to provide children with a caring, nurturing and stimulating environment which allows them the opportunity to learn through play with age appropriate guidelines.  I try to stress three main positive patterns of behavior:

Respect for Others
Respect for Themselves
Respect for Property

As a result I do not allow children to hit or shove other children or verbally abuse them.  I also stress that they treat material possessions (mine or theirs) with respect.  They are shown the difference between playing hard and using a toy for a purpose for which it was not intended.  For example, books are for looking at and reading, not tearing pages out of or setting up as a tent for dolls.  Occasionally children do not behave in respectful ways.  I first remind them of the proper behavior (we skip the reminder if their reaction has hurt someone), redirect the child and offer choices.

If the behavior is repeated, the child will need to have a "thinking time" (not more than one minute per age of the child, but not exceeding five minutes).  This time will be spent near myself so that I am available for any discussions the child or myself wish to have.   We may discuss what happened and come up with a solution together.  I may ask, "What might happen if you continue to throw toys?"  The appropriate answers usually come out:  "something might get broken, the toy might break, someone might get hurt by the toy".  If a child still has not calmed down or shows very inappropriate behavior, I will try to separate him/her from the other children with a quiet activity (book, puzzle,etc.) and if they still continue to behave in a way that jeopardizes the care that needs to be in place for the other children enrolled, I will contact you.

I as the Caregiver, must maintain the role of facilitator and provide an ultimate standard of safety.  They will be positive, clear and consistent, taking into consideration the individual needs of the children.

I will NEVER use corporal punishment, verbal humiliation or isolation to discipline a child. 

I will hug, cuddle, console and love any and all children when they want and need it.

If a child's actions, (IE: severe acting out), can not be explained and/or worked out on my own or after speaking to the parent/guardian, as a last resort, I may on occasion ask for advice from one of the many wonderful Child Care Resource and Referral workers.  In such cases you will be notified of the advice given and all names would be kept confidential.

In the very rare instance where I feel that any child enrolled has a serious discipline challenge, I will request a conference with the Parents/Guardians.  If an understanding can not be reached, I reserve the right to terminate our contract with as much notice as possible in order to guarantee the comfort and safety of the other children enrolled.