Appropriate behaviour is encouraged and praised. When undesirable behaviour occurs, positive guidance and redirection of a child's attention is generally sufficient action to end it.
In extreme situations, a child may be given reflection time to think about their actions in the classroom, or be removed from the classroom to give them a chance to think about and/or talk about their behaviour.
Physically aggressive behaviour, such as biting, kicking, hitting etc. cannot and will not be tolerated. To protect all of the children and encourage acceptable behaviour, instructors will intervene immediately if a child becomes physically aggressive.
Steps Academy staff will make every effort while children are in our care. However, parents/guardians must understand that consistently aggressive disruptive behaviour is unacceptable and may result in dismissal from the program.
With regard to behavioural management issues, Steps Academy ensures that child guidance methods utilized in the program are communicated to:
- Parents
- Staff
- Children, where developmentally appropriate, and any child guidance strategy taken is reasonable and appropriate in the circumstances.
With respect to a child in the program, Steps Academy will under no circumstances engage in the following:
- Inflict or cause to be inflicted any form of physical punishment, verbal or physical degradation or emotional deprivation
- Deny or threaten to deny any basic necessity
- Use or permit the use of any form of physical restraint, confinement or isolation
Inappropriate Behaviours
Behaviours that persist over time which are disruptive will be documented by program staff. Program Supervisors will notify parents if behaviours are persistent and if all compassion-based strategies to modify behaviour to reflect positive habits are not effective. We are happy to work with parents by suggesting community resources if needed to help children modify inappropriate behaviours.
However, Steps Academy reserves the right to terminate care if after these efforts, it is determined that Steps Academy cannot meet the child's needs.