|
IP3: Program has a description for families and staff on their approach to preventing suspension and expulsion related to challenging behaviors, including how behaviors are observed and addressed.
Reducing suspension and expulsion rates for younger children is important. When children are not in care, they miss out on its benefits, such as opportunities to learn from staff how they can safely and appropriately manage their emotions/behavior. It can also be a challenge for families to find care, so children may be shuffled through different caregivers and inconsistent routines, which can further impact their emotions and behavior. These consequences create more issues for the child, family, and program staff.
When thinking about ways to support children with challenging behaviors, consider the following things you could try. Then add what you are implementing to your written description.
- Behavior logs to track behavior and then develop strategies to support the children
- Use positive redirection when children are exhibiting challenging behaviors
- Identify biases to ensure staff bias is not impacting how they view a child’s behavior
- Stick to a consistent daily routine so children know what to expect
- Have a plan for keeping consistent staff and children in the classroom so relationships can be built
- Use restorative justice practices to support children’s interactions and behaviors, especially with school-age children
- Meet with families to develop a plan or discuss strategies to support the child both at school and at home
- Provide staff with training and professional development related to supporting children with challenging behaviors, conflict resolution techniques, anti-bias practices, and other topics
- Offer classroom support such as additional staff to help when children experience challenging behaviors
This indicator requires that the program has a description of its approach to preventing suspension and expulsion related to challenging behaviors, including how behaviors are observed and addressed. A description is something that is written that the program has in place. This could be a policy, statement, plan, or something else. The description needs to be shared with both staff and families.
For more information about this indicator, review the Quality Indicators Guidance Document and Quality Indicators FAQ.
| 
