Behaviour Management

TRULY SCRUMPTIOUS NURSERY BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

Our Commitment

At Truly Scrumptious, we are dedicated to promoting a safe, nurturing environment where every child feels valued, respected, and secure. We aim to help children develop a strong sense of right and wrong by teaching appropriate behaviour and discouraging inappropriate actions in a supportive, developmentally appropriate manner.

We believe that behaviour is part of a child’s developmental journey. Through consistent guidance, role modelling, and partnership with parents and carers, we strive to empower children to build confidence, self-esteem, and positive relationships.

Our Approach to Behaviour

We understand that learning to regulate emotions and behave appropriately in a group setting is a gradual process. This policy outlines our principles and strategies for supporting children as they develop socially and emotionally.

Core Values and Behaviour Goals

We aim to promote the following five core characteristics that underpin positive behaviour:

Confidence
Communication
Co-operation
Curiosity
Concentration

Children may exhibit challenging behaviours as a response to emotions such as boredom, anxiety, frustration, or tiredness. Our approach focuses on:

Modelling kind and considerate behaviour.
Providing engaging activities that support social and emotional development (a prime area in the Early Years Foundation Stage).
Using role play, stories, and visual aids to help children express and manage emotions.

Promoting Positive Behaviour

To encourage positive behaviour, we focus on:

Modelling appropriate conduct by being positive role models.
Consistency in enforcing boundaries and expectations.
Positive reinforcement through praise and recognition.
Encouraging self-regulation and problem-solving.
Using positive body language and engaging at the child’s level.
Offering choices and opportunities for behavioural improvement.

We recognise that misbehaviour is often a result of unmet emotional needs or developmental limitations, not deliberate disobedience.

Behaviour Intervention Strategies

When inappropriate behaviour occurs, staff will:

Intervene immediately and assess the situation.
Engage with all children involved, using a calm, respectful tone and age-appropriate language.
Discuss feelings and support children in recognising how their actions affect others.
Redirect younger children using distraction or alternative activities.
Avoid punitive language such as “naughty” or “bad”. Instead, we separate the behaviour from the child.
Use alternatives to forced apologies, such as comforting gestures, drawing a picture, or Makaton signs.

Staff will not:

Shout, intimidate, or use physical punishment.
Use exclusion strategies such as a “naughty chair” or “time out.”
Withhold food or treats.

Instead, we use reflective or calming time to help children regain composure in a supportive way.

Escalation and Support

If challenging behaviour persists despite consistent strategies:

Staff will work closely with parents/carers to ensure consistency.
Outside support (e.g. SENCo, Health Visitor) may be recommended.
Incidents will be recorded, and ABC (Antecedent, Behaviour, Consequence) analysis will be used to identify triggers and patterns.

Biting Policy

Biting is a common but distressing behaviour in early childhood. We handle incidents with sensitivity and aim to support both the child who bites and the child who is bitten.

Why Children Bite

Biting may occur due to:

Exploration or sensory stimulation.
Teething discomfort.
Cause-and-effect curiosity.
Attention-seeking.
Imitation of peers.
Frustration, anxiety, or stress.
Lack of language skills to express emotions.

Response and Prevention

We use the “Who, What, When, Where” method to understand each incident:

Who was involved?
What happened before and after?
When did it happen?
Where did it take place?

Prevention Strategies:

Provide teething toys or sensory items.
Adjust routines to reduce tiredness or hunger.
Closely monitor high-risk situations (e.g. sharing toys).
Reinforce positive behaviour with attention and praise.
Encourage emotional expression using language, visuals, and play.
Create calm, predictable environments to reduce stress.

We follow the HPA guidelines for managing human bites in childcare settings.

Involving Parents and Carers

Working in partnership with families is essential. We ask parents to:

Share relevant changes in the child’s home life.
Reinforce behaviour expectations at home.
Collaborate with staff and support agreed strategies.

We promise to:

Communicate daily about your child’s behaviour and progress.
Be consistent, non-judgmental, and supportive.
Offer guidance and external support when needed.

Strategies for Inconsiderate Behaviour

All staff, students, and volunteers are expected to use positive guidance strategies:

Help children identify and express feelings.
Acknowledge positive behaviours like sharing and kindness.
Avoid giving attention only in response to negative behaviour.
Support children in problem-solving conflicts.
Never isolate or punish children physically or emotionally.

Where necessary, physical restraint is used only to prevent injury or serious damage and is documented thoroughly, with parents informed the same day.

Children Under 3

We use developmentally appropriate strategies for very young children. We understand that tantrums, biting, and other behaviours may arise from:

Separation anxiety
Difficulty regulating emotions
Disrupted routines

Support is provided through:

Consistent attachment with a key person
Gentle, patient responses
Focus on emotional support and co-regulation

Rough-and-Tumble Play & Fantasy Aggression

We recognise the value of fantasy and physical play, which may include aggressive themes. While not inherently harmful, boundaries are necessary:

We engage in play to teach empathy and conflict resolution.
We set clear limits and guidelines for physical play.
We use fantasy themes as “teachable moments” to reinforce values.

Monitoring and Review

This policy is reviewed annually and updated with input from staff and parents.

policy reviewd by Brittany V – Manager – 15/05/2025
Contributors: Ana C. (Parent and Employee)