Discipline Policy

Purpose:  

Discipline shall be individualized and consistent for each child. It shall be appropriate to the child’s level of understanding, and it shall be directed toward teaching each child acceptable behavior and self-control. 

Procedures: 

 The following activities or threats of such activities are inappropriate as disciplinary measures and shall not be used for children:

* Physical punishment shall not be administered to children. 

* Children shall not be labeled as “bad” or “naughty.”

* Restraints: (Restraining a child briefly by holding the child is allowed when the child’s actions place the child or others at risk of injury.)

* Washing the mouth out with soap.

* Taping or obstructing a child’s mouth.

* Placing unpleasant or painful tasting substances in a child’s mouth, on lips, etc. 

* Profane or abusive verbal language.

* Isolation without supervision.

* Placing a child in a dark area.

* Inflicting physical pain on a child, (such as biting, hittings, pinching, pulling hair, slapping, kicking, twisting arms, biting or biting back, spatting, swatting or spitting on.)

* Yelling: (This does not include a raised voice level to gain a child’s attention to protect the child from risk of harm.)

* Forced physical activity such as running laps, doing push-ups, etc. (this does not include planned group physical education activities that are not punitive in nature.)

Discipline shall not be associated with:

* Food

* Rest

* Toilet Training

* Illness

Positive child guidance will be the constant focus of the staff to reinforce appropriate behavior and to foster the child’s development of positive self-esteem. Indirect guidance will be incorporated into daily activities to minimize behavioral problems.  When unacceptable behavior arises, the following methods of discipline shall be used:

* The “Induction” method of discipline will be the primary method of discipline utilized by the child care staff. This type of discipline teaches children “why” behaviors are appropriate or inappropriate and the consequences of their actions. 

* “Conscious Discipline” is implemented in the classrooms to teach the children how to self-regulate their emotions. Conscious Discipline promotes “safe” learning environments which helps children learn how to communicate their emotions and requests to adults and peers. It also helps develop a sense of community and family within the classroom which in turn helps them develop empathy for others. 

* “Time out” is also utilized by the staff. This type of discipline involves placing the child in an area apart from the current activities for an appropriate period of time. (The time shall be limited to no longer than one minute per year of the child’s age.)

* Time out shall not be used for children under two years of age. (Brief separation from the group is acceptable when the child’s behavior places the child or others at risk of harm. The child may be placed in a supervised area away from the group or in a crib or playpen while the staff attend to the situation. Example: A child who has bitten another child would be removed from the group briefly while staff attend to the bitten child.)

* Redirecting a child toward acceptable behavior and offering alternatives will be the primary method of discipline used on infants and toddlers in conjunction with the induction method of discipline. 

* If extreme negative behavior continues, the child will be taken to the director and parents will be notified. If the behavior persists, the parents will be asked to pick up their child. 

* If your child is a biter and cannot be controlled, they will be dismissed until they stop biting. The center works very hard to prevent this from happening. In case your child is bitten, you will be notified by an ouch report at the time the child is picked up. If it results in a bruise, ice will be applied with loving care. If the skin is broken, you will be contacted. The would will be cleaned and medication applied. The staff is familiear with their children and will make every effort to stop the biting before it happens. 

Positive attributes will continually be accentuated by the staff and negative attributes minimized to foster the development of positive self-esteem. Guidance and discipline will be consistent and individualized for each child, and it will be appropriate for each child’s level of understanding. 

Children will be taught to exhibit acceptable behavior toward the staff and other children enrolled at the center. Parents may be called upon to come to the center to discipline their child or if requested, pick up their child from the center for the day.