Child Guidance

We believe that the primary responsibility for raising young children rests with their parents and our role is to assist you in the training and guidance of your child. If you desire help in dealing with a specific behavior please discuss it with us; there are many resources available to assist us. We appreciate your support of our child guidance policies as we work together to encourage positive behavior.

Child Guidance Goals

The goals of our child guidance policy are for our children to develop positive self-esteem and socially acceptable ways of expressing their needs and feelings. This child guidance policy is preventative, not punitive, and designed to encourage the children to practice self-control, develop decision-making skills, and take responsibility for their own actions. Common courtesy and respect for themselves, others and for property are values we believe in and encourage the children to learn.

Child Guidance Procedures

The following guidelines and procedures are used to encourage positive behavior and discourage unwanted behavior:

• The environment combines consistent routines with clearly defined expectations so children know what to expect from me, as well as what we expect of them.
• Praise, kind words, smiles, hugs, applause, and other positive reinforcements are consistently used to encourage desired behavior.
• Redirection to another activity is the first technique used when undesirable behavior occurs.
• Instead of punishment, problem-solving and talking through situations is used to help the children discover alternative behaviors.
• Removal from the situation will result if physical or emotional harm to him/herself or others has occurred. Time will be spent helping the child to calm down and discussing appropriate alternative behaviors.
• "Time-outs" will be used only when other techniques have not been successful. When used, a "time-out" will not exceed five minutes and will only be used with children three years or older, never with children under three. In lieu of time out, younger children will be placed on our lap or near us until they have regained control.
• If a child is crying, fussy or distraught I ill rock or cuddle him/her until he/she has calmed down. Under no circumstances will I ever shake a child.
• Any child who seems overexcited or over-tired will be encouraged to spend some quiet time with a book or spend some time alone in a quiet place.

At all times the child guidance procedure will employ a loving and nurturing manner to encourage self-control, to teach self-respect, respect for others and respect for property.

We realize that no single technique will work with every child every time, however if a child consistently exhibits unacceptable behavior, a conference will be requested with the child's parents to consider how to deal with the behavior. If the behavior continues the next steps may include referrals to appropriate community resources, and/or termination of care.

Child Guidance for Licensed Programs

According to licensing regulations, the child guidance procedure will never include punishment that is humiliating or frightening to a child such as hitting, spanking, shaking, verbal or sexual abuse, withholding or forcing food, or punishment for lapses in toilet training. These and other forms of physical punishment are prohibited and will never be used, even at the request of a parent.

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