Discipline and Expulsion Policy

Praise and positive reinforcement are effective methods of behavior management of children. When children receive positive, nonviolent, and understanding interactions from adults and others, they develop good self-concepts, problem solving abilities, and self-discipline. Based on this belief, FLIS uses a positive approach to discipline and practices the following discipline and behavior management techniques.

We Do

  • Communicate to children using positive statements.
  • Communicate with children on their level.
  • Talk with children in a calm quiet manner.
  • Explain unacceptable behavior to children.
  • Give attention to children for positive behavior.
  • Praise and encourage the children.
  • Reason with and set limits for the children.
  • Apply rules consistently.
  • Model appropriate behavior.
  • Set up the classroom environment to prevent problems.
  • Provide alternatives and redirect children to acceptable activity.
  • Give children opportunities to make choices and solve problems.
  • Help children talk out problems and think of solutions.
  • Listen to children and respect the children’s needs, desires, and feelings.
  • Provide appropriate words to help solve conflicts.
  • Use storybooks and discussion to work through common conflicts.

WE DO NOT

  • Inflict corporal punishment upon a child. (defined as the use of physical force to the body as a discipline measure;Including but is not limited to, spanking, hitting, shaking, biting, pinching, pushing, pulling, or slapping.)
  • Use any strategy that hurts, shames, or belittles a child.
  • Use any strategy that threatens, intimidates, or forces a child.
  • Use food as a form of reward or punishment.
  • Use or withhold physical activity as a punishment.
  • Shame or punish a child if a bathroom accident occurs.
  • Embarrass any child in front of others.
  • Compare children.
  • Place children in a locked and/or dark room.
  • Leave any child alone, unattended or without supervision.
  • Allow discipline of a child by other children.
  • Criticize, make fun of, or otherwise belittle a child’s parents, families, or ethnic groups

Behavior Guidance

Staff shall provide each child with guidance that helps the child acquire positive self-concept and self-control. Behavior guidance used by each caregiver will be constructive, positive, and suited to the age of the child at all times.The following rules and standards apply.

  1. To prevent unacceptable behavior from occurring the staff will:
  2. Model appropriate behavior.
  3. Arrange the classroom environment to enhance the learning of acceptable behaviors
  4. Use descriptive phrase praise when appropriate occurs, i.e., “Look how high you are building the blocks! Let’s count them.
  5. When unacceptable behavior occurs or is about to occur, staff will use:
  6. redirection—substitute a positive activity for a negative one
  7. distraction –change the focus of the activity or behavior
  8. active listening to determine the underlying cause of the behavior
  9. holding and rocking a child will be done when needed

Time-out (separation from the group) is used as a last resort, only when less intrusive methods has been tried and or behavior of the child is dangerous to himself and others. In the event a time out is used, Time Out" in the classroom under direct teacher supervision. Teacher will multiply one minute times the age of the child ( a 4-year-old will sit in "time out" for 4 minutes)

Children who endanger other children or Staff

  • A first incident will be reported to the parent.
  • A second incident will result in a parent-teacher conference to discuss the behavior and establish a plan of action.
  • A third incident will result in the parent being called, and another conference will be set up with the teacher(s) and the director to continue the discussion to understand what might be causing the problem. Referral for outside advice will be suggested. FLIS reserves the right to terminate any child’s enrollment if any further incident occurs, or if we feel that any of following conditions exists:
  • The school cannot meet the child’s needs.
  • The parents are not able to work with the school to find an acceptable solution.
  • The continuing behavior endangers the well-being of other children, and/or the child engaging in the behavior.

Termination of Services

Other reasons which may result in the termination of a specific care arrangement include:

  • Non-payment for preschool services and/or lack of adherence to our tuition payment policies.
  • Lack of cooperation by the parents with the program’s efforts to resolve differences and/or to meet the child’s needs through parent/staff meetings or conferences.
  • Abusive behavior and/or verbal threats by parents toward program staff will not be tolerated. This will result in immediate termination.

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My signature below indicates that I have received a copy of the discipline policy, it has been reviewed with me, and I have read and understand this policy.

Print Name______

Signature______Date______

Please circle as appropriate: STAFF PARENT

If parent, name of child______

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