Bing Nursery School Guidance and Discipline Policy

The early childhood years involve an amazing amount of growth. Children are learning about themselves and developing both awareness and control of their feelings, behavior, and thinking. They are also learning about themselves in relation to others, as part of a social group. 

Providing children with clear, consistent, and age-appropriate limits, along with re-direction of behavior that is pushing beyond acceptable bounds, supports them in becoming increasingly in charge of their behavior and emotional responses. 

When children behave in ways that are not consistent with expectations, it is important to provide them with an explanation of why the behavior is not appropriate and guidance toward alternative behaviors. 

Our goal is to work with children and families on this path toward greater self-awareness, self-control, and self-expression. The environment at Bing promotes positive behavior choices by providing children with interesting materials and activities that engage them and offer many appropriate possibilities. 

The range of activities allows children to make self-directed choices based on their interests and preferences. Teachers develop relationships with each child and family, which enhances their ability to responsively provide guidance and re-direction as needed. 

When difficulties arise, teachers support children in expressing their feelings, communicating their needs, and seeking resolution through problem-solving. 

Teachers talk calmly with children, communicating at the child’s level, providing words and suggestions to solve conflicts, and modeling appropriate behavior. 

Bing Nursery School follows guidelines for positive discipline and ethical conduct from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). 

No physical punishment of any kind, psychological punishment (including shaming, threatening, or sarcasm), intimidation, coercion, withholding of food, or isolation is used at any time. 

Restraint, such as holding onto a child’s arm, would only be used on the rare occasions needed to protect the safety of the child or others.

When children receive positive and understanding interactions from adults and others, they develop self-awareness, problem-solving abilities, and self-discipline. Most children respond well to these positive strategies over time. 

In the event that a child is demonstrating difficulty responding to teachers’ guidance, a teacher will contact the parents or guardians to develop a plan for supporting the child’s development of self-control and positive engagement. In discussions about how to best support the child, a teacher may recommend a professional developmental assessment, which provides valuable information about a child’s growth and development. 

While children do sometimes experiment with inappropriate language, use of verbally abusive language, including the repeated use of inappropriate and offensive language cannot be tolerated. 

After meeting with the parents or guardians and documenting behavior problems and interventions, if a child’s behavior continues to endanger the safety of other children or teachers, the Director has the right to ask for the child to be withdrawn from the school. 

In the rare instance that a child is asked to leave, the school would offer assistance to the family in accessing services and an alternative placement. 

All actions taken are in accordance with NAEYC’s joint statement, as well as state and federal policy statements regarding expulsion and suspension in early childhood settings.