Suspension and Expulsion Policy
Indiana early childhood education programs that are eligible to accept Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers are required to have a policy on suspension and expulsion. This policy is compliant with federal and civil rights laws.
• Teachers provide a purposeful, engaging environment that represents and supports cultural diversity and the different stages of child development.
• We encourage children’s sense of self, help with self-regulation and supports for conflict resolution and relationship building.
• When conflict arises, we support children by guiding them using High Scope’s six steps of conflict resolution. This develops a child’s social and emotional development by helping them understand their own feelings, as well as others’. It teaches them to identify, express and regulate their emotions appropriately. This builds relationships and supports positive interactions with others in group settings.
• We access Shine Early Learning Indiana for support, coaching and professional development. Those areas of support include but aren’t limited to professional development and training, inclusion specialists and early childhood guidelines.
• RKQ seeks family engagement and collaboration in a variety of ways. We conduct home visits, conferences, daily correspondences and regular communication. Those relationships foster success which may include child behavior and solution strategies used in the home or other settings.
• Referrals for challenging behaviors are conducted as necessary. We have access to supports to address challenging behaviors, early childhood mental health consultants, First Steps and preschool special education services through SBCSC. We will initiate and provide all supports reasonably possible to remedy concerns or challenges.
• Teaching staff is supported through embedded professional learning around implicit bias and distinguishing concerning behaviors from developmentally appropriate behaviors.
• Our administration collects and analyzes information on suspensions and expulsions that are occurring within our program and sets goals to limit or prohibit such disciplinary actions.
• Exclusionary processes are used a last resort. Exclusionary measures are taken when a serious safety threat exists and can’t be addressed with reasonable modifications and/or the use of positive behavioral supports.
• We believe staff, administration and families shall all actively participate in order to avoid expulsion.
• Challenging behaviors will be addressed as outlined here and documented. If said measures prove unsuccessful and/or behaviors are deemed as a threat, it is then that the expulsion of a child will occur. It is our intention to assist in accessing services and alternative placement to the best of our ability.
• Other means for expulsion includes parent negligence or inappropriate/disrespectful behaviors, delinquent payments and delinquent CCDF or OMWPK attendance verification.
I have read, understand and agree to the terms in this agreement. I understand my role and responsibilities to ensure my child’s enrollment at RKQ Learning Center.