1. Purpose

The purpose of this Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy is to foster a safe, respectful, and nurturing environment for all children at the nursery. By promoting positive behaviour, we aim to support children’s social, emotional, and moral development, ensuring they feel valued and respected while learning to respect others.

2. Scope

This policy applies to all staff, children, and parents/guardians. It outlines the nursery’s approach to encouraging positive behaviour, managing challenging behaviour, and creating an inclusive environment where all children can thrive.

3. Principles

• Respect: Children will be treated with respect and taught to respect others.

• Consistency: Positive behaviour management strategies will be applied consistently across the nursery.

• Support: Children will be supported in developing self-discipline, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution skills.

• Collaboration: The nursery will work in partnership with parents/guardians to promote and support positive behaviour.

4. Roles and Responsibilities

• Nursery Management: Responsible for ensuring all staff are trained in behaviour management strategies and that this policy is implemented consistently.

• Staff: Responsible for modelling positive behaviour, reinforcing rules, and applying strategies that encourage children to behave appropriately. Staff should also ensure that children feel safe, valued, and heard.

• Parents/Guardians: Responsible for working collaboratively with nursery staff to support their child’s social and emotional development and promoting consistent behaviour expectations between home and the nursery.

5. Encouraging Positive Behaviour

1. Positive Reinforcement:

   • Staff will praise and reward good behaviour consistently. Positive reinforcement may include:

     • Verbal praise ("Well done for sharing!")

     • Stickers or small rewards

     • Special responsibilities (e.g., helping to set the table)

   • Rewards will focus on effort and improvement rather than just outcomes to encourage personal growth.

Kids Village Unique Badge Scheme

At our nursery, we have a unique recognition and reward system in place where children will earn badges when positive behaviours are illustrated. These badges (stickers) will be placed by staff into their individual badge book (and one sticker to wear home that day) with a time-stamped note from the witnessing staff member to explain how the child gained earned this badge. Much like how the badge system works effectively with the likes of the Girl Guides or Boy Scouts, this tangible reward system gives the children something to work towards, be proud of and take home their badges for their parents to become involved promoting positive behaviours. The badge scheme will tie In with the SHANARRI indicators.   

 

1. Clear Boundaries:

   • Children will be taught the nursery’s behaviour expectations through age-appropriate explanations.

   • Nursery rules will be simple, clear, and consistent, such as:

     • Be kind and gentle to others.

     • Share toys and take turns.

     • Listen to each other.

   • These expectations will be reinforced regularly through discussion, role-play, and stories.

2. Modelling Behaviour:

   • Staff will model the positive behaviour they expect from children, demonstrating kindness, patience, and respect in their interactions.

   • Children will be encouraged to observe and learn from adults’ behaviour, including how to manage emotions and resolve conflicts peacefully.

3. Promoting Emotional Literacy:

   • Staff will support children in identifying and expressing their emotions in healthy ways. This includes teaching children words for emotions (e.g., happy, sad, angry) and helping them understand their feelings.

   • Simple strategies, such as "calm down areas" or breathing exercises, will be introduced to help children manage frustration or upset.

6. Managing Challenging Behaviour

1. Understanding the Cause:

   • Staff will take a reflective approach to challenging behaviour, considering the possible causes, such as tiredness, hunger, frustration, or changes in routine.

   • Behaviour will be seen as communication, and staff will work to understand what the child may be trying to express.

2. De-escalation Techniques:

   • If a child displays challenging behaviour, staff will calmly guide them towards more appropriate behaviour. Strategies may include:

     • Offering choices to help the child feel in control.

     • Distraction or redirection to a different activity.

     • Providing time and space for the child to calm down in a safe environment.

   • Shouting or physical punishment will never be used as a method of managing behaviour.

3. Use of Quiet Time :

   • Time out or "quiet time" may be used sparingly and only when other methods of de-escalation have not worked. It will involve removing the child from a situation for a short period to reflect on their behaviour in a calm and supervised setting.

   • Time out will be used constructively, with staff discussing the behaviour and helping the child understand how to make better choices.

4. Consistent Consequences:

   • Children will be helped to understand that certain actions have consequences. These consequences will be age-appropriate and consistent with the behaviour, such as:

     • Temporarily removing a toy if it is used inappropriately.

     • Helping to repair damage caused by inappropriate behaviour (e.g., helping to tidy up spilled items).

At our nursery we believe in almost all cases, explanation, distraction and reasoning with the child are all that’s needed to resolve any challenging behaviour – as well as patience, empathy and understanding from the staff member directly managing the child.

7. Individual Behaviour Support

1. Supporting Children with Additional Needs:

   • The nursery recognises that some children may require additional support to manage their behaviour, particularly those with special educational needs (SEN) or disabilities.

   • An individual Behaviour Support Plan may be developed in consultation with parents/guardians and, where appropriate, external professionals and built into the child’s Personal Care Plan. 

2. Collaborating with Parents:

   • If a child consistently displays challenging behaviour, the nursery will work with the parents to develop a shared strategy for managing the behaviour both at nursery and at home. 

   • Parents will be kept informed of their child’s behaviour through regular communication, including daily feedback or meetings, as needed.

3. Referral to External Services:

   • If necessary, and with parental consent, the nursery may seek the involvement of external support services, such as early intervention teams, educational psychologists, or behavioural specialists, to help address persistent behaviour issues.

8. Promoting Inclusion and Respect

1. Respect for Diversity:

   • The nursery will promote an inclusive environment where children are taught to respect differences in culture, race, gender, and ability.

   • Staff will encourage children to be empathetic, kind, and inclusive in their interactions with others, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

2. Anti-Bullying:

   • The nursery takes a zero-tolerance approach to bullying, including verbal, physical, or emotional harm. Any incidents of bullying will be addressed immediately, with staff intervening to support the child affected and guide those involved in understanding the impact of their behaviour.

   • Staff will work with children to foster empathy and kindness towards one another.

9. Staff Training and Development

1. Behaviour Management Training:

   • All staff will receive regular training on promoting positive behaviour and managing challenging behaviour using developmentally appropriate strategies.

   • Training will include de-escalation techniques, promoting emotional literacy, and creating a positive and respectful nursery environment.

2. Ongoing Reflection:

   • Staff will regularly reflect on the effectiveness of their behaviour management strategies and adapt their approach as needed to meet the evolving needs of the children in their care.

10. Monitoring and Review

• The nursery will review the Promoting Positive Behaviour Policy annually to ensure it remains aligned with current best practices and legislation

• Staff, parents, and children’s feedback will be taken into consideration during the review process.

• Regular observations of children’s behaviour will be conducted to monitor the effectiveness of the strategies outlined in this policy.

11. Relevant Legislation and Guidelines

This policy adheres to Scottish legislation