At Grace Child Care, we strive to provide a safe, caring, learning environment for children and adults. We believe in the equality and respect diversity.
The following people are expected to behave in a respectful manner and comply with this code of conduct:
- child care provider
- substitutes
- children
- parents/guardians of children enrolled
- people living in my home
- all others involved with my home such as friends or family members of the children enrolled, professionals and other visitors
"Adults" is used in my code of conduct to refer to the people listed above who may be in my child care home regularly or occasionally.
Be Respectful
We are respectful of ourselves and other people. We are respectful of the ideas and feelings of others. We are respectful of the environment, equipment and materials.
Be Safe
We work and play safely to help keep ourselves and others from getting hurt.
Be Cooperative
We solve our problems by talking and listening to each other respectfully to find a solution. When we cannot solve a problem ourselves, we ask for help.
Be Supportive of Learning
We learn to the best of our abilities and support the learning of others.
I understand that it is normal for children to display inappropriate behaviour at times for a variety of reasons. The developmental capabilities of each child will always be considered when determining both expectations for behaviour and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
The following behaviours by children and adults are unacceptable:
- all forms of bullying (physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber bullying), including comments, actions or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful and repetitive
- harassment, including behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone that a reasonable person would know is unwelcome
- all forms of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological), including verbally, in writing or otherwise
- discrimination against any person or group because of their race, colour, ancestry, nationality or place of origin, ethnic background, religion, age, sex, gender-determined characteristics, sexual orientation, marital and family status, source of income, political belief and physical or mental disability
- actions that put another person at risk of harm, including violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone
I actively strive to create an environment that supports the health, safety and well-being of the children by:
- having realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour
- setting up the environment and materials to encourage appropriate behaviour and reduce potential for inappropriate behaviour
- planning a program based on children's interests and developmental needs
- establishing consistent yet flexible schedules and routines that help children gain trust, security and self-control
I create a positive environment for children and adults by:
- developing positive relationships, including making time to talk and listen
- establishing clear, consistent, simple limits
- stating limits in a positive way and periodically reminding people
- providing explanations for limits
- working together to solve problems
- modelling and encouraging appropriate behaviour
I will consistently respond to inappropriate behaviour by children and adults by:
- reminding people of expectations and limits
- using a respectful approach to explain why a behaviour is inappropriate and what behaviour is expected
- talking only about the behaviour, not labelling the person
- responding sympathetically and acknowledging feelings
- establishing natural, logical consequences
Depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, I will consider further steps such as:
- using behavioural analysis to learn what may be contributing to a child's inappropriate behaviour and how to help reduce or eliminate the behaviour
- having a formal or informal meeting to discuss concerns and to develop an action plan to encourage appropriate behaviour in the future
- developing a written contract with an adult and older child that outlines specific expectations and consequences
- giving a written warning that outlines specific concerns and consequences if the behaviour continues
In extreme cases, I will take additional steps such as:
- suspending or withdrawing child care services because of a child's or family member's inappropriate behaviour
- in the case of a visitor not allowing the person to return to the child care home
- contacting the police and/or child and family services (CFS), if the behaviour is illegal such as abuse, assault or threatening another person
