General Welfare Requirement: Safeguarding and Promoting Children’s Welfare
Children’s behaviour must be managed effectively and in a manner appropriate for their stage of
development and particular individual needs.
Equality of opportunity
1.13 Achieving positive behaviour
Policy statement
Our setting believes that children flourish best when their personal, social and emotional needs
are met and where there are clear and developmentally appropriate expectations for their
behaviour.
Children need to learn to consider the views and feelings, needs and rights, of others and the
impact that their behaviour has on people, places and objects. This is a developmental task that
requires support, encouragement, teaching and setting the correct example. The principles that
underpin how we achieve positive and considerate behaviour exist within the programme for
promoting personal, social and emotional development.
EYFS key themes and commitments
A Unique Child
1.1 Child
development
Positive
Enabling
Learning and
Relationships
Environments
Development
2.2 Parents as
3.2 Supporting every
4.4 Personal, social
partners
child
and emotional
1.2 Inclusive practice
1.3 Keeping safe
2.3 Supporting
3.3 The learning
learning
development
environment
Procedures
Responsibility of the Setting Manager
The Manager is responsible for ensuring the safety of staff and children within the setting. They
are also responsible for:
o
Ensuring that all staff have an opportunity to complete the Inclusion Development
Programme (Supporting children with Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties)
Self-Assessment so their training needs can be identified and met
o
Ensuring that all new staff are inducted and that the Behaviour Policy is shared with
them
o
Ensuring that all staff attend regular training
o
Ensuring that training recommendations are implemented throughout the setting
o
Ensuring that all staff are aware of Early Support and CAF and when to implement them
o
Ensuring that any training attended is disseminated to all staff
o
Ensuring that recommendations from other professionals are implemented
o
Ensuring staff are offered support and mentoring
o
Taking the lead in planning and meeting with parents/carers if staff need to physically
intervene with a child
o
Taking the lead in evaluating the effectiveness of any intervention with a child when staff
need to physically intervene
o
Ensuring that all practitioners are aware that:
“Physical intervention should only be used to manage a child’s behaviour if it is necessary to
prevent personal injury to the child, other children, or an adult, to prevent serious damage to
property or in what would reasonably be regarded as exceptional circumstances.” (EYFS
Statutory Framework, page 28)
“Providers must not give corporal punishment to a child for whom they provide early years
provision.” (EYFS Statutory Framework, page 28)
Named Behaviour Coordinator (BeCo)
Our setting based Behaviour Coordinator is Medusa Sojourn. She is responsible for
coordinating and monitoring the support of children’s personal, social and emotional
development, including issues concerning a child’s behaviour.
Training attended by the setting based Behaviour Coordinator
Framework for Intervention
Responsibilities of the setting based Behaviour Coordinator
o
Work with all staff/students/volunteers to agree and implement the policy
o
Responsibility for the day to day operation of the Positive Behaviour Policy
o
Keep up to date with relevant legislation and research on promoting positive behaviour
o
To advise and support other practitioners when they have concerns about a child’s
behaviour
o
To assist staff in making appropriate observations of children and planning appropriate
interventions
o
To work in conjunction with the setting based SENCO
Named Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO)
Our setting based SENCO is Abigail Knibbs / Jenifer Mineham. She coordinates and monitors
provision made for children with Special Educational Needs and or disability.
Responsibilities of the setting based SENCO
o
Work with all staff/students/volunteers to agree and implement the SEN and Disabilities
Policy
o
Responsibility for the day to day operation of the SEN and Disabilities Policy
o
Keep up to date with relevant legislation and research on Special Educational
Needs/Disability
o
To advise and support other practitioners when they have concerns about a child’s
development
o
To assist staff in making appropriate observations of children and planning appropriate
interventions
o
To work in conjunction with the setting based BeCo
Staffing and Training
Child/staff ratios
o
To adhere to EYFS national guidelines on minimum child/qualified staff ratios with
flexibility on behalf of the setting to increase ratios where necessary
Staff knowledge and training
o
All practitioners should be involved in the development of the policy
o
All practitioners are familiar with the policy and its guidelines for promoting positive
behaviour. All members of the setting are expected to keep to the guidelines and apply
them consistently
o
All practitioners are expected to provide a positive model of behaviour
o
Practitioners access regular training from the Training Team, Development Workers,
Early Years Teacher Support Service and Area SENCO Team.
o
The Setting Based SENCO has attended Early Support Training
o
All practitioners treat children with respect and do not use or threaten any form of
punishment which could have an adverse impact on the child’s well being
o
Admission and Induction Arrangements/Partnership with Parents and Carers
Admissions and induction paperwork prior to entry (Cross reference to Admissions and
Induction Policy)
o
The Manager/Key-Person discusses the Behaviour Policy with parents/carers
o
A copy of the setting rules (displayed in each room) is given to parents/carers
o
Parents/carers are asked not to discuss any aspects of their child’s behaviour in front of
him/her
o
Parents/carers are asked to communicate any significant changes in circumstances that
may affect their child’s behaviour at the setting. For example, a new baby, moving
house, bereavement, divorce, separation and hospitalisation
o
All parents/carers are given information about the local Children’s Centre and services
that they offer
Flexible settling in arrangements
o
The needs of the child are paramount in ensuring a successful induction. This will
depend on the child’s age and previous experiences
o
All practitioners are aware of the importance of positive attachment for children and the
need for the child to build a secondary attachment with his/her key-person
Sharing information
o
Practitioners are available to speak to parents/carers when they leave and collect their
child and a private space is available to meet if necessary
o
Regular review meetings are held between parents/carers and the child’s key-person
o
Parents/carers are asked to contact the child’s key-person if they have any concerns or
queries
Staff ask if CAF or Early Support is underway and, if so, make contact with the appropriate
agencies to ensure a smooth transition for the child and family into the setting
Curriculum, Learning Environment and Resources
Promoting positive behaviour – the environment
o
All children are provided with an environment and resources appropriate to their needs
o
Children are encouraged to be independent, resources are accessible and clearly
labelled
o
Basic illustrated rules are displayed in each room, phrased positively (telling children
what to do) and in language appropriate to the age of the children
o
A visual timetable is in place in each room
o
A quiet, restful space is available in each room for children to use
o
Staff name children’s feelings and promote their emotional development in a range of
ways
Promoting positive behaviour – good practice
o
Music and songs are used to clearly signal key transition times
o
Books and puppets are used to discuss emotions and appropriate responses
o
Children are provided with regular opportunities for outdoor play and activities are
provided to encourage them to ‘let off steam’
o
Children are not expected to sit still for long periods of time
o
Staff plan appropriately to ensure that children are not kept waiting
o
Children are not expected to queue excessively
o
Children are met with as few staff changes as possible
o
Every child has a key-person who speaks regularly to parents/carers
o
All practitioners play alongside the children, modelling appropriate responses
o
All practitioners recognise that young children are still at an early point in their social
learning
o
Staff use the word “stop” with a hand signal (instead of the word “no”) and tell children
what they should do eg ”Stop! Walk please.”
o
The needs of all individual children are met by the adaptation of experiences/resources
o
A wide range of experiences are on offer to the children
Promoting positive behaviour – avoidance strategies
o
All practitioners give short instructions, turning negative into positives. They tell the child
what to do, rather than what not to do. eg. “Sand in the tray please” instead of “don’t
throw the sand”
o
All practitioners use the strategy of “When …..Then” eg. “When we’ve picked up these
bricks, then we can have our snack”
o
All practitioners give children limited choices. Eg. “Would you like to pick up the cars or
the trains?”
o
Practitioners don’t phrase a request as a question that can be answered with yes or no
o
All practitioners notice appropriate behaviour and give immediate, specific praise
o
All practitioners acknowledge children’s feelings
o
Staff do not shout or raise their voices in a threatening way in response to a child’s
behaviour
o
Practitioners recognise and build on each child’s existing skills and interests
Promoting Positive Behaviour Journey – STEP 1
Framework for Intervention LEVEL 2
Procedure followed when a child’s behaviour is causing practitioners or parents/carers concern
o
Child’s key-person discusses concerns with the BeCo/SENCO, using the following
points (from the Inclusion Development Programme) as a basis for discussion:
What are you most concerned about?
What have you already observed?
Why do you think these behaviours are happening?
What does the child enjoy doing?
What triggers or situations need to be avoided?
Which adults and children does the child like to be with?
Identify some times in the day when you could have some quality time with the child in a small
group or one to one.
Who will staff go to for emotional support?
o
The BeCo books onto Training or a Refresher
o
BeCo/SENCO supports room staff to complete an environmental audit and ensure that
good practice is in place
o
Room staff (with support from the BeCo/SENCO) address environmental issues with an
Action Plan
o
BeCo/SENCO will ensure that parents/carers are given information about support
available at their local Children’s Centre or offer to contact the child’s Health Visitor
o
BeCo/SENCO signposts staff to relevant training offered by the Training Team
o
SENCO/BeCo and Key-Person meet with parents/carers to discuss how best to support
the child
o
Early Support or Common Assessment Framework (CAF) is discussed with
parents/carers
o
SENCO starts a Record of Additional Support file and asks room staff to gather
observations, including observations of positive behaviour
o
SENCO supports Key-Person to complete an Early Support Summary Profile
o
SENCO and Key-Person meet with parents/carers to complete a Play Plan. This will
include strategies to notice, praise, reward and record positive behaviour. (To last 4 – 6
weeks but permissible to have 2nd Play Plan if reasonable progress is made)
o
SENCO/BeCo meets with parents/carers to review Play Plan, make recommendations
and record outcomes on the Record of Additional Support
o
SENCO/BeCO/Manager spends time in the room to ensure that preventative measures
and good practice is being implemented
Promoting Positive Behaviour Journey – STEP 2
Framework for Intervention – LEVEL 2
Child’s behaviour escalates
o
SENCO/BeCo meet with Key-Person to discuss concerns
o
SENCO/BeCo/Key-Person write a Care Plan which clearly states the good practice
strategies used by the room staff
o
SENCO meets with parents/carers and moves child to Early Years Action, writing an
Individual Education Plan. This will last for a minimum of 4 weeks, maximum of 12
weeks. SENCO discusses and offers Early Support/CAF
o
SENCO informs Area SENCO Team that a child has reached Step 2, advice given by
phone or visit
o
Referrals are considered for external assessment. eg. Health Visitor, Child
Development Centre. At this stage CAMHS may be approached by parent and or
setting for general telephone advice. If the existing Team Around the Child TAC feel that
a referral to CAMHS is proably the referral should be made at this stage.
o
Possible referrals for setting based support. eg. Pre-School Learning Alliance (PLA) or
Inclusion Support for Early Years (ISEY)
o
SENCO meets with parents/carers to review IEP, considering evidence from
observations (from room staff) parent/carer input, child’s view of progress and updated
Early Support Summary Profile.
o
Before moving onto STEP 3, the Manager must be responsible for

Ensuring that all of the above has been evidenced in the Record of Additional
Support file

That Early Support/CAF has been discussed and offered to the family

That referrals to outside agencies have been made

That a clear need to move to the next step has been demonstrated and
evidenced
Promoting Positive Behaviour Journey – STEP 3
Framework for Intervention – LEVEL 3
Child’s behaviour significantly impacts on his/her learning and the learning of his/her peers and
poses a physical risk. Staff need to physically intervene to ensure safety.
o
The Manager becomes setting lead person and arranges a meeting with parents/carers
and other professionals to form a Team around the Child. If the child is likely to require
the input of the CAMHS Team they should be informed and invited to this meeting.
o
At this meeting, all previous procedures should be reviewed and an agreement reached
between professionals and parents/carers on the best way forward to meet the needs of
the child. The Manager takes
o
responsibility for confirming this in writing, agreeing this with parents/carers and ensuring
this is signed by parents/carers and Manager
o
SENCO updates the Record of Additional Support
o
Manager briefs staff and ensures that agreed procedures following the meeting are
implemented
o
Manager ensures that all room staff feel supported
o
A Care Plan (which details the emergency response/physical intervention) is shared,
agreed and signed by parents/carers and a copy given to them
o
All incidences of emergency response/physical intervention are to be written in a factual
way by the person/s mostly involved, countersigned by the Manager and parent/carer
o
SENCO informs the Area SENCO Team that a child has a Risk Assessment and Care
Plan and a visit is arranged. Area SENCO links with Development Worker
o

Manager/SENCO/BeCo evaluate interventions and make setting policy changes
We recognise that codes for interacting with other people vary between cultures and require
staff to be aware of - and respect - those used by members of the setting.

We require all staff, volunteers and students to provide a positive model of behaviour by
treating children, parents and one another with friendliness, care and courtesy.

We expect all members of our setting - children, parents, staff, volunteers and students - to
keep to the guidelines, requiring these to be applied consistently.
Strategies with children who engage in inconsiderate behaviour

We require all staff, volunteers and students to use positive strategies for handling any
inconsiderate behaviour, by helping children find solutions in ways which are appropriate for
the children's ages and stages of development. Such solutions might include, for example,
acknowledgement of feelings, explanation as to what was not acceptable, and supporting
children to gain control of their feelings so that they can learn a more appropriate response.

We ensure that there are enough popular toys and resources and sufficient activities
available so that children are meaningfully occupied without the need for unnecessary
conflict over sharing and waiting for turns.

We acknowledge considerate behaviour such as kindness and willingness to share.

We support each child in developing self-esteem, confidence and feelings of competence.

We support each child in developing a sense of belonging in our group, so that they feel
valued and welcome.

We avoid creating situations in which children receive adult attention only in return for
inconsiderate behaviour.

When children behave in inconsiderate ways, we help them to understand the outcomes of
their action and support them in learning how to cope more appropriately.

We never send children out of the room by themselves, nor do we use a ‘naughty chair’ or a
‘time out’ strategy that excludes children from the group.

We never use physical punishment, such as smacking or shaking. Children are never
threatened with these.

We do not use techniques intended to single out and humiliate individual children.

We use physical restraint, such as holding, only to prevent physical injury to children or
adults and/or serious damage to property.

Details of such an event (what happened, what action was taken and by whom, and the
names of witnesses) are brought to the attention of our setting leader and are recorded in
the child’s personal file. The child’s parent is informed on the same day.

In cases of serious misbehaviour, such as racial or other abuse, we make clear immediately
the unacceptability of the behaviour and attitudes, by means of explanations rather than
personal blame.

We do not shout or raise our voices in a threatening way to respond to children's
inconsiderate behaviour.
Children under three years

When children under three behave in inconsiderate ways we recognise that strategies for
supporting them will need to be developmentally appropriate and differ from those for older
children.

We recognise that babies and very young children are unable to regulate their own
emotions, such as fear, anger or distress, and require sensitive adults to help them do this.

Common inconsiderate or hurtful behaviours of young children include tantrums, biting or
fighting. Staff are calm and patient, offering comfort to intense emotions, helping children to
manage their feelings and talk about them to help resolve issues and promote
understanding.

If tantrums, biting or fighting are frequent, we try to find out the underlying cause - such as a
change or upheaval at home, or frequent change of carers. Sometimes a child has not
settled in well and the behaviour may be the result of ‘separation anxiety’.

We focus on ensuring a child’s attachment figure in the setting, their key person, is building
a strong relationship to provide security to the child.
Rough and tumble play, hurtful behaviour and bullying
Our procedure has been updated to provide additional focus on these kinds of inconsiderate
behaviours.
Rough and tumble play and fantasy aggression
Young children often engage in play that has aggressive themes – such as superhero and
weapon play; some children appear pre-occupied with these themes, but their behaviour is not
necessarily a precursor to hurtful behaviour or bullying, although it may be inconsiderate at
times and may need addressing using strategies as above.

We recognise that teasing and rough and tumble play are normal for young children and
acceptable within limits. We regard these kinds of play as pro-social and not as problematic
or aggressive.

We will develop strategies to contain play that are agreed with the children, and understood
by them, with acceptable behavioural boundaries to ensure children are not hurt.

We recognise that fantasy play also contains many violently dramatic strategies, blowing up,
shooting etc., and that themes often refer to ‘goodies and baddies’ and as such offer
opportunities for us to explore concepts of right and wrong.

We are able to tune in to the content of the play, perhaps to suggest alternative strategies
for heroes and heroines, making the most of ‘teachable moments’ to encourage empathy
and lateral thinking to explore alternative scenarios and strategies for conflict resolution.
Hurtful behaviour
We take hurtful behaviour very seriously. Most children under the age of five will at some stage
hurt or say something hurtful to another child, especially if their emotions are high at the time,
but it is not helpful to label this behaviour as ‘bullying’. For children under five, hurtful behaviour
is momentary, spontaneous and often without cognisance of the feelings of the person whom
they have hurt.

We recognise that young children behave in hurtful ways towards others because they have
not yet developed the means to manage intense feelings that sometimes overwhelm them.

We will help them manage these feelings as they have neither the biological means nor the
cognitive means to do this for themselves.

We understand that self-management of intense emotions, especially of anger, happens
when the brain has developed neurological systems to manage the physiological processes
that take place when triggers activate responses of anger or fear.

Therefore we help this process by offering support, calming the child who is angry as well as
the one who has been hurt by the behaviour. By helping the child to return to a normal state,
we are helping the brain to develop the physiological response system that will help the child
be able to manage his or her own feelings.

We do not engage in punitive responses to a young child’s rage as that will have the
opposite effect.

Our way of responding to pre-verbal children is to calm them through holding and cuddling.
Verbal children will also respond to cuddling to calm them down, but we offer them an
explanation and discuss the incident with them to their level of understanding.

We recognise that young children require help in understanding the range of feelings they
experience. We help children recognise their feelings by naming them and helping children
to express them, making a connection verbally between the event and the feeling. “Adam
took your car, didn’t he, and you were enjoying playing with it. You didn’t like it when he took
it, did you? Did it make you feel angry? Is that why you hit him?” Older children will be able
to verbalise their feelings better, talking through themselves the feelings that motivated the
behaviour.

We help young children learn to empathise with others, understanding that they have
feelings too and that their actions impact on others’ feelings. “When you hit Adam, it hurt him
and he didn’t like that and it made him cry.”

We help young children develop pro-social behaviour, such as resolving conflict over who
has the toy. “I can see you are feeling better now and Adam isn’t crying any more. Let’s see
if we can be friends and find another car, so you can both play with one.”

We are aware that the same problem may happen over and over before skills such as
sharing and turn-taking develop. In order for both the biological maturation and cognitive
development to take place, children will need repeated experiences with problem solving,
supported by patient adults and clear boundaries.

We support social skills through modelling behaviour, through activities, drama and stories.
We build self-esteem and confidence in children, recognising their emotional needs through
close and committed relationships with them.

We help a child to understand the effect that their hurtful behaviour has had on another
child; we do not force children to say sorry, but encourage this where it is clear that they are
genuinely sorry and wish to show this to the person they have hurt.

When hurtful behaviour becomes problematic, we work with parents to identify the cause
and find a solution together. The main reasons for very young children to engage in
excessive hurtful behaviour are that:

they do not feel securely attached to someone who can interpret and meet their needs –
this may be in the home and it may also be in the setting;

their parent, or carer in the setting, does not have skills in responding appropriately, and
consequently negative patterns are developing where hurtful behaviour is the only
response the child has to express feelings of anger;

the child may have insufficient language, or mastery of English, to express him or herself
and may feel frustrated;

the child is exposed to levels of aggressive behaviour at home and may be at risk
emotionally, or may be experiencing child abuse;


the child has a developmental condition that affects how they behave.
Where this does not work, we use the Code of Practice to support the child and family,
making the appropriate referrals to a Behaviour Support Team where necessary.
Bullying
We take bullying very seriously. Bullying involves the persistent physical or verbal abuse of
another child or children. It is characterised by intent to hurt, often planned, and accompanied
by an awareness of the impact of the bullying behaviour.
A child who is bullying has reached a stage of cognitive development where he or she is able to
plan to carry out a premeditated intent to cause distress in another.
Bullying can occur in children five years old and over and may well be an issue in after school
clubs and holiday schemes catering for slightly older children.
If a child bullies another child or children:

we show the children who have been bullied that we are able to listen to their concerns and
act upon them;

we intervene to stop the child who is bullying from harming the other child or children;

we explain to the child doing the bullying why her/his behaviour is not acceptable;

we give reassurance to the child or children who have been bullied;

we help the child who has done the bullying to recognise the impact of their actions;

we make sure that children who bully receive positive feedback for considerate behaviour
and are given opportunities to practise and reflect on considerate behaviour;

we do not label children who bully as ‘bullies’;

we recognise that children who bully may be experiencing bullying themselves, or be subject
to abuse or other circumstance causing them to express their anger in negative ways
towards others;

we recognise that children who bully are often unable to empathise with others and for this
reason we do not insist that they say sorry unless it is clear that they feel genuine remorse
for what they have done. Empty apologies are just as hurtful to the bullied child as the
original behaviour;

we discuss what has happened with the parents of the child who did the bullying and work
out with them a plan for handling the child's behaviour; and

we share what has happened with the parents of the child who has been bullied, explaining
that the child who did the bullying is being helped to adopt more acceptable ways of
behaving.
This policy was adopted at a meeting of
name of setting
Held on
(date)
Date to be reviewed
(date)
Signed on behalf of the management
committee
Name of signatory
Role of signatory (e.g. chair/owner)