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Promoting Positive Behaviour

BLACKHALL NURSERY
Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy 
AIMS 
Blackhall Nursery aims to create a caring and secure environment in which the emotional, social and moral development of the child can be cultivated.  Children are encouraged to learn in a supportive, positive atmosphere.  As well as the development of specific skills, the children’s learning will involve education in the broadest sense – learning through play, social skills, moving towards greater independence at their own pace, self-respect and respect for others.  Blackhall Nursery’s Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy is designed to facilitate this.  
Standards of Care and RECORDS of care 
1.      Blackhall Nursery is regularly inspected by the Care Commission to ensure standards of care are being met.   In meeting its standards of care Blackhall Nursery follows the Scottish Social Services Council Codes of Practice for Employers of Social Service Workers and Social Service Workers.  The resulting report will be on display at the Nursery’s Parent/Child Noticeboard nearest the main nursery door.

 

2.        A Daily Attendance Register is kept which contains times of attendance, dates of birth, emergency contact numbers for children and staff and information relevant to special health requirements.

 

3.      Fire Drill is carried out regularly (usually once a month) and details of drills are kept in the Fire log book or in the Daily Attendance Register.

 

4.      An Accident and Incident Book is kept to record details of accidents; parents/carers will be notified of all incidents and will be asked to sign the Book after reading the record regarding their child.

 

5.    A Health and Safety Policy is in place to ensure safety standards are met. 
Promoting positive behaviour  
Children are praised in a relevant way.  Children are encouraged to share, to help and to show respect for one another and for adults.  Children are shown respect by adults; adults within the Nursery also show respect for one another, which promotes the idea of respecting others.  Positive Behaviour is promoted by staff.  Nursery staff will:

 

·        Encourage children firmly and fairly to observe simple rules of behaviour  (no hitting, snatching, running indoors, dangerous or inconsiderate behaviour with equipment, pushing, name-calling etc) out of courtesy to, and for the safety of, others;
·        Offer praise whenever the children observe these rules: encouraging children to imitate and copy good behaviour is the best way to establish desirable behaviour patterns;
·        Model good manners themselves and praise the children for good manners, acts of courtesy and kindness whenever they occur;

 

·        Promote Nursery's Golden Rules.  These set out clearly and simply what is expected of each child.  The Golden Rules exist to make Nursery enjoyable and pleasant for everybody and are devised by the children themselves, in consultation with staff.  These, as well as the Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy, will be shared with all parents/carers;

 

·        Explain to the children why certain behaviour is required in Nursery and explain the Golden Rules.

·        Positive behaviour is promoted through Circle Time (listening to other people; taking it in turns to speak) as well as in discussions at Circle Time. 

We recognise that for a variety of developmental and social reasons, children may take some time to take on board Nursery rules. When unacceptable behaviour does occur, disapproval is shown immediately.  The child shall be told immediately what is unacceptable and why.  This will be done quietly, firmly and consistently.    This disapproval may take the form of: 

·        A firm warning;

·        Saying no;

·        Removing a child from the situation for a short period of time. Once an incident had been dealt with, staff will build bridges to re-integrate the child or children with the rest of the group as quickly as possible. 

Children are never physically punished; nor are they humiliated, ridiculed or held up to peer derision by physically isolating them (on a "naughty chair" or similar).  Children are not categorised negatively by “labelling” them (i.e. “you silly boy”, “you naughty girl” etc).   Rather, positive behaviour is praised, encouraged and highlighted. 

If a child's behaviour continues to give cause for concern, staff will make every effort to understand why the behaviour is occurring and will consult with parents/carers about possible ways in which to support the child.   Confidential discussion will endeavour to find a constructive way forward.  This may involve the parent attending Nursery to try and identify problem areas or it may involve seeking specialist advice (for example, sometimes hearing or speech problems lead to difficulties in understanding rules). 

Parents/carers and staff are encouraged to maintain open and honest discussion about all matters relating to Nursery.  

Parents are encouraged to come forward with any ideas and suggestions for the improvement of Nursery. 

Staff are trained in promoting positive behaviour.

Staff have a working knowledge of this policy and a copy is distributed to all parents/carers. Our Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy is often one of the subjects presented for discussion at our New Parents' Evening in September of each year.  

 Revised Nov 2004/Oct 07                                                 FG 24.10.07