Behaviour Management Policy
All children At Little Acorns are entitled to be cared for in a happy and safe environment; therefore, it is important to ensure that all children know what is expected of them, what the boundaries of acceptable behaviour are. To achieve this, we have some House Rules which set reasonable and appropriate limits to help manage the behaviour of the children.
We foster a sense of confidence, self-esteem, and responsibility, linked with an understanding of the needs and feelings of others. We acknowledge anger and frustration and a range of emotions and feelings. At Little Acorns we encourage this in a calm atmosphere encouraging talk, which allows everyone to feel heard and safe. These are the skills of Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice, and self-regulation skills.
We encourage and demonstrate positive respect and our learning and behaviour is rooted in;
Our values include…
- Supportive and trusting relationships
- Clear Little Acorns values – see our list.
- Unconditional positive regard – demonstrating that it is the behaviour that is unwanted or unacceptable, NOT the person.
- Conflict resolution – providing a process where the issue can be solved.
- Restorative justice – where things are put right in an agreed way.
Our values include…
We want the children to feel safe, valued and respected, and for everyone to feel fairly treated. We are a caring, and our values are built on mutual trust. Whilst Little Acorns has an agreed list of house rules the primary aim is not just to enforce a list of rules but rather to promote good relationships, so that everyone can work together with the common purpose of helping everyone to learn. We aim to encourage increasing independence and self-discipline, so that each child learns to accept responsibility for their own behaviour and understand the possible consequences of their choices or behaviour on others.
Positive Behaviour Skills
Children at Little Acorns are taught positive behaviour skills during their activities and play opportunities throughout the day. These skills include:
Children at Little Acorns are taught positive behaviour skills during their activities and play opportunities throughout the day. These skills include:
- How to recognise feelings
- negotiating
- questioning
- co-operating
- tolerance
- confidence
- persistence
- problem solving
Positive behaviour is encouraged, validated and praised. It is important to ‘catch children being good’ and we will do this:
- Verbally, with a validating sentence, ‘I like the way you.’ I saw the way you just…’
- With a reward system, e.g. Brilliant Bus – collecting pictures and people for demonstrating a positive behaviour.
- A sticker chart – building up to a shared treat.
- Happy Hands – acknowledging kindness
- Values Tree – acknowledging when the agreed value has been used
- Helpful Hedgehogs – acknowledging acceptable social behaviour
We help the children to understand our house rules, which are realistic and we are consistent in applying them.
We will ensure that:
We will ensure that:
- What we expect from the children is reasonable and achievable, depending on their age and ability
- We make ourselves clear giving an explanation of what behaviour was unacceptable and why
- We are good role models
- We listen to what the children have to say
- We reward good behaviour
We are aware that children’s behaviour can deteriorate when they feel hungry, tired or unwell. We aim to ensure that we have clear routines and structures in place to meet children’s fundamental needs of comfort. This will mean having a very personalised approach to providing quiet places for children to rest, timetabled opportunities for children to sleep or take a short nap, and to build in routine snack times. Again it is vital that we work together with you to ensure that we are aware of children’s routines and preferred or favourite snacks. We will also work with the other children to help them to respect each other’s needs. Careful observation, tracking and planning will help us to make sure that we have made appropriate provision for each child’s needs which aims to engage, interest and challenge them.
We also know that changes to children’s circumstances can impact on their wellbeing and behaviour. If something at home changes or happens resulting in your child feeling unsettled, please inform us so that we can be prepared to provide some extra attention or adapted provision to help a child manage a tricky change or event.
We use some of the SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning) material, which explores personal feelings and establishes understanding. This is done through stories, games, songs and pictures. There is also helpful and supportive material for older children and our parents.
These themes include:
These themes include:
- New Beginnings
- Getting On and Falling Out
- Promoting Positive Behaviour
- Going for Goals
- Healthy Choices
- Good To Be Me
- Looking After our Environment
- Relationships
- Changes
We also work together to help children identify and manage ‘Big Feelings’, using sensory stones, sensory trays, Colour Monsters and feelings boards and fans. When children can communicate how they are feeling, it is easier for them to find a way to manage this, in co-regulation with a trusted adult, leading to self-regulation. We understand that cognitively, children need to be ready to understand that feelings are something to be managed, and we use stories and props to help children identify feelings in context so that this learning process is on-going.
When Help is Needed
Sometimes behaviour might be a barrier to children’s progress, or it may prevent them from making positive relationships. In rare or extreme cases it may even put them or their friends in danger.
There are several ways to deal with a child who is finding behaviour tricky and we will use different ones depending on the age/stage of ability of the child and the situation:
Sometimes behaviour might be a barrier to children’s progress, or it may prevent them from making positive relationships. In rare or extreme cases it may even put them or their friends in danger.
There are several ways to deal with a child who is finding behaviour tricky and we will use different ones depending on the age/stage of ability of the child and the situation:
- Distraction - Removing the child from the situation and give them an alternative activity.
- Ignore - Depending on the situation we may ignore the bad behaviour as it could be being done to get a reaction.
- Discuss with Child - If the child is able to understand we will come alongside the child to discuss their behaviour and try and get them to appreciate the consequences of their actions on others. We will make sure that they know it is their behaviour that we do not like, and not them.
- Time Out - Removing the child from the activity and sitting them quietly for a few minutes somewhere safe where they can be seen. Followed by coming alongside the child and reminding why they were there. A ‘Sorry’ is encouraged before re-joining the group as a fresh start.
- Physical intervention - Is only used when it is absolutely necessary to prevent injury to themselves or other people or damage to property. Parents will be informed should this happen and it will be documented in our safeguarding and incident folder.
We will never smack, shake or hurt your child. We will not humiliate your child.
If a child’s behaviour is a concern, we will let you know by either writing it in a daily diary / contact book or by ringing you later after collection. Some children can become upset if the incident is retold in front of them. We will also inform you of how the matter was dealt with. In most cases the matter will not require any further action, as sanctioning a child hours after an incident just causes confusion and upset.
If you have any concerns regarding the managing of your child’s behaviour, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is important that we work together on managing behaviour in order not to confuse your child.
If you have any concerns regarding the managing of your child’s behaviour, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is important that we work together on managing behaviour in order not to confuse your child.
When behaviour has been identified as a barrier to effective relationships and learning we will work with the family to monitor the nature and frequency of the behaviour. We may do this with;
- a behaviour log
- a contact book
- rewards charts
- behaviour focus
- social stories
- circle time
- ABC of behaviour charts to look for triggers
As an inclusive setting, we are aware that children with social difficulties, vulnerable social circumstances, communication difficulties and a range of diagnosed conditions may find behaviour choices and expectations challenging. Whilst we are committed to making appropriate adaptations to deal with specific needs we are also committed to ensuring the safety of all our children. We draw on Nurture Group Network materials as suggested on their website and in their publications, nurturing self-esteem, positive feelings of self, confidence and positivity. We use Reggio methods to build and nurture confidence and social skills and positive relationships.
Rights and Responsibilities.
We have a Rights and Responsibilities Code. This makes it very clear that whilst we all have the right to be safe and to be treated with respect we also have the responsibility to treat others in the same way. The guide is intended to provide information and encourage a consistent approach. The guide also gives clear advice about tackling any incidents of bullying behaviour. This, along with our Anti-Bullying Statement, demonstrates that, whilst we encourage positive behaviour and do not tolerate bullying, we recognise that bullying can happen and if it does it will be dealt with appropriately.
We have a Rights and Responsibilities Code. This makes it very clear that whilst we all have the right to be safe and to be treated with respect we also have the responsibility to treat others in the same way. The guide is intended to provide information and encourage a consistent approach. The guide also gives clear advice about tackling any incidents of bullying behaviour. This, along with our Anti-Bullying Statement, demonstrates that, whilst we encourage positive behaviour and do not tolerate bullying, we recognise that bullying can happen and if it does it will be dealt with appropriately.
Date: December 2023
Sign: AOkane Date: 3.12.23
Sign: MOkane Date: 3.12.23
Sign: AOkane Date: 3.12.23
Sign: MOkane Date: 3.12.23