Our approach to discipline depends on several things:

Environment - Tiger Tots strives to provide a "kid friendly" Center where everything from the drinking fountain to the bathrooms are designed for young children. A wide assortment of developmentally appropriate materials are provided. A daily routine is established. Teachers try to insure that each child receives individual attention and knows that the teachers really care about their feelings.

Logical Consequences - Teachers state their expectations regarding rules and expectations in clear terms and are consistent in reinforcing positive behavior. The teachers want the children to understand why we have rules and to be involved in the process of establishing classroom rules.

Curriculum - The teachers create their own curriculum with the help of teacher resource books. The curriculum is based on the cognitive, physical and emotional needs of the group and adapted to meet a wide range of abilities.

Positive Reinforcement - Positive behavior is noticed and encouraged. We avoid praise, which can be superficial and become meaningless to the children. The teachers want the motivation for positive behavior to be intrinsic rather than training children to expect rewards for behavior that is an expected part of society. We occasionally use rewards (candy or a prize from the treasure chest) because let's face it, we all like to get something special now and then.

 

Planned Ignoring - Teachers at Tiger Tots follow the philosophy of "choosing your battles." An example of this is when a child says "he stuck his tongue out at me!" We would respond, "I'm glad that you kept your tongue in your mouth." The teacher might then ask both children to read a story with her. By doing this we have avoided reinforcing the child's negative behavior and said where we expect tongues to be. Teachers must constantly evaluate their discipline strategies and if one does not work be ready to try another one.

Renewal Time - This is a time for a child to be removed from social interaction and sit down and work on a quiet activity such as a puzzle or read a book. Once children have become accustomed to the routine it is our policy to give one warning or redirection when inappropriate behavior occurs. The teacher attempts to have the child verbalize why he/she thinks the teacher has intervened. Children usually know what they have done that is inappropriate. If this does not work the teacher will specifically tell the child what he/she needs to do to correct a problem i.e. use you quiet voice. If the child persists in the unacceptable behavior, after the warning and the behavior is not dangerous to others, then the child will be removed from the situation and given time to gain self control.

Time out - Time out is given to a child who has engaged in behavior that is harmful to himself/herself or others and the child in out of control. After a brief period, no more than three minutes, the teacher will calmly discuss the situation and talk about positive solutions that can be used by the child in the future. The child will understand that it is not a punishment. Situations that are on-going will be discussed with parents to ensure good communication between the Center and home.

No corporal punishment is allowed. No verbal punishments such as ridicule, humiliation, threat or coercion are permitted.

 

Disruptive Behavior Policy

The staff will make every to work with the parents of the children having difficulties in child care. The following steps will be taken in the event that a child is displaying chronic disruptive behavior that is upsetting to the physical or emotional well being of the other children.

Initial Consultation- The director may require the parent(s) of any child who attends Tiger tots to meet for a conference. The problem will be documented on paper. Goals will be established and the parents will be involved in creating approaches towards solving the problem.

Second Consultation- If the initial plan for helping the child fails, the parent(s) will again be required to meet with the director. Another attempt will be made to identify the problem, outline new approaches to the problem and discuss the consequences if progress is not apparent.

Suspension- When the previous attempts have been followed and no progress has been made toward solving the problem, the child may be suspended from the center indefinitely. The director may immediately suspend a child at anytime he/she shows a behavior which is harmful to him/herself or others. A parent may be called from work anytime the child exhibits uncontrolled behavior that cannot be modified by the child care staff. That parent may be asked to take the child home immediately. Suspensions from the childcare center may vary from a few hours to an indefinite period.

Discipline Policy

Tiger Tots believes that learning to socialize and communicate are keys to becoming a responsible and empowered individual. The fact that children are egocentric and impulsive make social interaction interesting to say the least. Add to this the fact that we are dealing with a mixed age group of children with a wide range of developmental levels.

We use several techniques to help children learn to work cooperatively and enjoy social interactions. Children spend a great deal of time trying to figure out what is acceptable and what is not. At our Center using your words to solve a disagreement is acceptable while acts of aggression such as grabbing toys, hitting, and pushing, etc., are not acceptable. Unfortunately, children often don't have the verbal or emotional skills that are necessary to settle conflicts. That's when the teachers can help empower the children by using a discipline technique with logical consequences.

Discipline is most effective when it follows logical consequences. The consequences for behavior must make sense to the child. Let's imagine a scenario where the child is throwing blocks across the block area (luckily no one is hurt). It is logical to tell the child that blocks hurt other friends and that if the blocks are not used for building then the child will need to find another area to play in. The teacher needs to observe the child to make sure that the blocks are then used appropriately. If the child begins to build with the blocks the teacher needs to reinforce this behavior by making a comment such as "The house you built for the dinosaurs looks like a fun place to live." The events that preceded the block throwing or the "trigger" also need to be considered. Perhaps the area is overcrowded or appropriate block behavior should be modeled by the teacher. The teacher's role is to create an environment that will nurture and encourage positive social interaction.

The use of time out is not viewed as a punishment but rather as a time for children to regain control. The use of time out is appropriate when children are hurting themselves or others or when redirection techniques have not been effective. Our philosophy believes in redirecting the children and working through problems. We also use proximity (close adult supervision) to monitor behavior and help prevent negative behavior.

Our goal is to encourage children to be independent, responsible and compassionate individuals. This involves providing opportunities to interact with peers and allowing the children to solve their own problems, if possible. We want the children to come up with their own solutions rather than have the teachers act like behavior police.

Discharge Policy

Tiger Tots Nurtury Center reserves the right to cancel the enrollment of a child for the following reasons:

Nonpayment or excessive late payment of fees

Not observing the rules of the center as outlined in the parent agreement

Child has special needs which we cannot adequately meet with our current staff

Physical and/or verbal abuse of staff or children by parent or child

Failure to provide a physical form prior to or within two weeks of first date of child's attendance at the center

We will refund any unused portions of child care tuition for the month or semester.