We aim to provide a positive and consistent environment in which children are able to play and learn. We also work in partnership with parents by communicating and offering advice and support, especially when dealing with behaviour issues.

It is recognised that all children behave in different ways and that changes in behaviour are usually a result of a change in their environment or a developmental stage. For example, biting is common amongst the 18 months to 2 years 6 month olds.

Ark Ayrton Nursery will assist and advise parents where possible, or sign post to organisations who can offer guidance and advice.

 

Creating a caring learning environment

Ark Ayrton Nursery believes that in order to enable an effective learning environment in which children can develop socially and academically good behaviour in all aspects of nursery life is necessary. We seek to create a caring learning environment for all children by:

  • Encouraging and acknowledging good behaviour and having a consistent approach to unwanted behaviour.
  • Promoting self esteem by encouraging children to value and respect themselves and others.
  • Providing a safe environment.
  • Promoting early intervention.
  • Encouraging a positive relationship with parents and carers to develop a shared approach to involve them in the implementation of the nurseries policy and associated procedure.
  • Encouraging children to take responsibility for their behaviour.
  • Explaining unacceptable behaviour.
  • Being good role models.

 

Encouraging good behaviour

Positive behaviour is promoted through:

  • Praise, rewards and encouragement, i.e. thumbs up, a pat on the back, smiles, stickers positive language.
  • Using it as an example to others to promote desired behaviour.
  • Modelling and developing social skills such as: sharing, manners, hygiene and taking turns.
  • Encouraging children to take responsibility for their own behaviour and that of others, i.e. supporting a child to tell another child ‘please don’t do that, I don’t like it’.

 

Dealing with undesirable behaviour

Our starting point is to take into account child’s age and stage of development:

Unacceptable behaviour includes:

  • Bad language and derogatory language
  • Not complying with turn taking sharing and other social skills.
  • Physical harm of the other children/self or staff.
  • Repetitive damage of nursery property or of that belonging to another child.
  • Persistent bullying.

Staff will try to prevent unwanted situations occurring by intervening before they happen.

We have a variety of strategies that we use to deal with unwanted behaviour. These vary according to the age and stage of the child, the situation and other factors such as tiredness.

These include:

  • Verbal warnings with explanation
  • Removal of equipment
  • Distraction
  • Removing of child from situation
  • Reminders
  • And if appropriate time out.

However, our focus is always on promoting positive behaviour and the prevention of unwanted behaviours.

If a child is showing persistent behaviours that are not typical to their age/stage we will then take the following steps.

  • Persistent behavioural problems will be discussed with the parent/carer, noted in the child’s records and the INCO will be informed.
  • If necessary an individual behaviour plan (IBP) will be implemented,
  • Further advise from partnership agencies will be sought if necessary i.e. health visitor, community nursery nurse, speech and language team, EP etc.