Behaviour Management Policy

Beehive Day Nursery

Behaviour Management Policy

Statement of intent
Our nursery believes that children flourish best when they know how they are expected to behave and should be free to play and learn without fear of being hurt or unfairly restricted by anyone else.

Aim
We aim to provide an environment in which there is acceptable behaviour and where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their environment.


Methods
•    We have a named person who has overall responsibility for issues concerning behaviour.  The named person is Jade Dighton
•    We require the named person to:
* Keep herself up to date with legislation and research and thinking on handling children’s behaviour
* Access relevant sources of expertise on handling children’s behaviour
* Check that all staff have relevant in-house training on handling children’s behaviour. 

•    We recognise that some ‘unwanted’ behaviour in young children is typical behaviour for this age group and will occur regularly
•    We require all staff, volunteers and students to provide a positive role model of behaviour by treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy.
•    We require all staff, volunteers and students to use positive strategies for handling conflict by helping children find solutions in ways which are appropriate for the children’s ages and stages of development – for example, distraction, praise and reward.
•    We familiarise new staff and volunteers and students with the nursery’s behaviour management policy and its rules for behaviour.
•    We expect everyone at the nursery – children, parents, staff, volunteers and students – to keep to the rules, requiring these to be applied consistently
•    We praise and endorse desirable behaviour  such as kindness and willingness to share
•    We avoid creating situations in which children receive adult attention only in return for undesirable behaviour
•    We recognise that ways of interacting with other people vary between cultures and require staff to be aware of, and respect, those used by members of the nursery
•    When children behave in unacceptable ways, we help them to see what was wrong and how to behave more appropriately, if it is felt they will understand
•    We never send children out of the room by themselves
•    We never use physical punishment of any kind, nor do we threaten children with this
•    We do not use techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children
•    We only use physical restraint, such as holding, to prevent physical injury to children or adults or serious damage to property.  Details of such an event are brought to the attention of the manager and recorded on our Incident Forms.  A parent is informed the same day and signs the Incident Form to indicate that he/she has been informed
•    In cases of serious misbehaviour, such as racial or other abuse, we make clear immediately the unacceptability of the behaviour and attitudes, by means of age appropriate explanations rather than personal blame.  Racial incidents are recorded and monitored (see below).
•    We handle children’s unacceptable behaviour in ways which are appropriate to their ages and stages of development, for example, distraction, discussion or by withdrawing the child from the situation
•    We work in partnership with children’s parents.  Parents are regularly informed about their child’s behaviour by their key carer.  We work with parents to address recurring unacceptable behaviour, using objective observation records to help us to understand the cause and to decide jointly how to respond appropriately


Children under three years
•    We recognise that some ‘unwanted’ behaviour in young children is typical behaviour for this age group and will occur regularly.
•    When children under three behave in unacceptable ways we recognise that strategies for supporting them will need to be developmentally appropriate and differ from those for older children
•    We recognise that very young children are unable to regulate their own emotions, such as fear, anger and distress, and require sensitive adults to help them do this
•    Common inappropriate or hurtful behaviours of young children include tantrums, biting or ‘lashing out’.  Staff are calm and patient, offering comfort, helping children to manage their feelings and, where appropriate, talk about them to help resolve issues and promote understanding.


Rough and Tumble Play and Fantasy Aggression
Young children often engage in play that has aggressive themes, such as superhero and weapon play.  Some children appear pre-occupied with these themes, but their behaviour is not necessarily a precursor to hurtful behaviour or bullying, although it may be inappropriate at times and may need addressing using strategies as above.

•    We recognise that rough and tumble play is normal for young children and acceptable within limits.  We regard these kinds of play as pro-social and not as problematic or aggressive, as long as it is monitored by a responsible adult
•    We will develop strategies that are agreed with the children, and understood by them, with acceptable behavioural boundaries to prevent children from being hurt
•    We recognise that fantasy play may also involve violent elements – blowing up, shooting etc and that play often refers to ‘goodies and baddies’ and as such offer opportunities for us to explore concepts of right and wrong
•    We are able to tune in to the content of the play, perhaps to suggest alternative strategies for heroes and heroines, making the most of learning opportunities to encourage empathy and lateral thinking and conflict resolution.




Bullying

Bullying involves the persistent physical or verbal abuse of another child or children.  We take bullying very seriously.

If a child bullies another child or children:

•    We intervene to stop the child harming the other child or children
•    We explain to the child doing the bullying why the behaviour is inappropriate
•    We give reassurance to the child or children who have been bullied
•    We help the child who has done the bullying to say sorry for her/his actions providing they understand why they are saying sorry
•    We make sure that  children who bully receive praise when they display acceptable behaviour
•    We do not label children who bully
•    When children bully, we discuss what has happened with their parents and work out with them a plan for handling the child’s behaviour
When children have been bullied, we share what has happened with their parents, explaining that the child who did the bullying is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of behaving.

Recording and Reporting Incidents of Racial Abuse or Bullying

We record all racist incidents, including the following details:
•    Date
•    Name(s) of perpetrator(s)/victim(s)
•    Ethnicity of individuals involved
•    A description of the incident
•    Action taken in response
•    Name of the person reporting the incident

The racial incident report log is kept in the confidential filing cabinet in the office.
All recorded incidents will be reported to the Manager.
All incidents involving members of minority ethnic groups will be monitored to ensure that potentially racist incidents are not overlooked. Although some incidents may seem minor, it is important to log them as repeat incidents may reveal patterns of behaviour. The pattern and frequency of racist incidents are analysed in order to inform future planning. We will advise the Police of any racist incidents that may constitute a criminal offence.


This policy was adopted by the management and staff of Beehive Day Nursery on
15th March 2008

This policy will be reviewed annually

Signed on behalf of the nursery:

Latest review:  September 2018