The Management and Staff of Riverton Childcare believe that discipline needs to be tempered with much love and understanding while administered in a firm and consistent manner. Young children need guidelines and acceptable limits within which they are free to make decisions. We do not condone smacking.

Guidelines :

•  We expect children to learn to respect the rights of others, the equipment and the environment. We use positive reinforcement of appropriate and desirable behaviours through encouragement, praise, and in certain cases small '”rewards" such as stamps, stickers or a special activity. We are specific with praise eg 'I liked the way you shared the nails" and avoid general phrases like "good girl.” Where possible we give children the opportunity to resolve their own differences. We recognise where children's behaviour is aggravated by tiredness, thirst or hunger, or boredom and to act to prevent such situations arising.

•  We work with parents/whanau to ensure that any behaviour management programme has their approval and to ensure that consistent standards are followed. The Supervisor is responsible for discussing behaviour management with the parents/whanau.

•  We use planned ignoring with undesirable behaviours if this seems appropriate eg for attention seeking behaviours. When behaviour impinges on other people's rights, the adult acts according to the child's age and stage and the situation eg

• distracting the child to another activity;

• helping children to use words to solve a conflict;

• giving children choices eg "you can sit at the table and eat without kicking or you can sit away from the others until they have finished. Which do you choose?" Use of "time out (this is not used as punishment but as a tool for modifying behaviour).

•  "Time out" should be carried out by permanent staff only. All other preventative measures should be explored before “Time out” is used. Relieving staff are never to give "time out" unless under the direction and supervision of a staff member.

• "Time out" is never appropriate for under 2's;

• No longer than 1-2 minutes 1 minute per year of child.

• Stay with child or pass this duty to another staff member- however do not give the child your attention;

• Explain to the child the reason why s/he was given "time out";

• Reprimand the behaviour, not the child;

• Use of "time out" is recorded in a note book.

• Parents are informed by the Supervisor if a persistent behaviour has led to the use of "time out."

•  Swearing and inappropriate talk is discouraged by ignoring if appropriate, or by giving choices between being with the others and talking in a friendly way, or being alone.

Policies: Statement regarding the curriculum; Acceptable use of computer/software; Complaints and grievances; consultation; equipment; monitoring sleeping children; nappy changing procedure; open door; pest and vermin; accidents and illnesses; food and drink; health and safety; laundry; prosocial behaviour; preventing child abuse; shady childcare; smokefree.