All children and parents will be made to feel welcome in my home and treated with equal concern. I aim to offer a high standard of childcare for both parents and children. I recognise the need to set out reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of the children in my care.
I aim to provide a happy and well maintained environment in which the children in my care will be encouraged to develop social skills which will help them to be accepted and welcome in society as they grow up.
I do not, and will not, administer any form of physical punishment or any form of punishment with the intention of causing pain or discomfort to the child. I will not administer any form of punishment with the intention of humiliating the child. I will not administer any hurtful treatment to any child in my care.
I endorse positive discipline as a more effective way of setting limits for children.
Procedure
I aim to keep up to date with behaviour management issues and relevant legislation by taking regular training courses and by reading publications on the subject.
All parents will receive a copy of my Behaviour Policy.
All methods to manage children’s behaviour will be agreed with parents before the placement starts. These methods will be discussed during the initial visits before the contract is signed to ensure appropriate care can and will be provided.
Wherever possible I will endeavour to meet the parents’ request for the care of their children according to their values and practices. Records of these requirements will be agreed and kept with the child record forms. These records will be revisited and updated during regular reviews with parents.
I expect parents to keep me informed regarding any changes in the child’s home circumstances, care arrangements or any other changes that could result in a change in the child’s behaviour such as a new baby, parent’s separation, divorce or bereavement. All information that is shared with me will be kept confidential unless it poses as a child protection issue.
I will only physically intervene, and possible restrain a child to prevent an accident, injury or damage such as running into a road.
All significant incidents will be recorded in an incident book and will be shared and discussed with the parents of the child concerned. This will enable me to work together with the parents to resolve any behavioural issues.
Occasionally children have difficulty understanding and dealing with their emotions and feelings and I recognise that this is a normal part of child development. I will acknowledge these feelings and try to help children find constructive solutions in liaison with their parents.
To discourage un-wanted behaviour, I use distracted and re-direction of the children’s activities.
I help to encourage responsibility by talking to the children regarding their choices and possible consequences.
I aim to be consistent and firm to ensure the children in my care know and feel secure in the boundaries that I set.
I will ensure that children maintain their self esteem by showing that I disapprove in the behaviour and not the child.
If I have concerns about a child’s behaviour which are not being resolved with the help of their parents, I will ask for permission from the parents to seek advice from another childcare professional. I may contact the NCMA, NSPCC, a health visitor or the local early years team, or other relevant advice services, for confidential help and advice.
The National Minimum Standards for Childminder’s state that:
“parents know that their child’s behaviour is managed in ways they have agreed, and in such a way as to promote their child’s welfare and development.”