Safety
We have up to date First Aid, CPR and AED training, as well as police vulnerable sector checks and full liability insurance.
We keep a keen eye out for any potential hazards on outings and around the home daycare. While we strive to create a safe environment, and we carefully supervise the children's activity, we also try to avoid a "helicopter" style of care. We think that it's healthy for children to make mistakes, and challenge themselves physically and emotionally. We consider it acceptable for children to get dirty, or get scrapes and bruises in the course of their play. Everyone perceives danger differently, and it's important to discuss comfort levels around our children's risk-taking to make sure we're on the same page.
We have up to date First Aid, CPR and AED training, as well as police vulnerable sector checks and full liability insurance.
We keep a keen eye out for any potential hazards on outings and around the home daycare. While we strive to create a safe environment, and we carefully supervise the children's activity, we also try to avoid a "helicopter" style of care. We think that it's healthy for children to make mistakes, and challenge themselves physically and emotionally. We consider it acceptable for children to get dirty, or get scrapes and bruises in the course of their play. Everyone perceives danger differently, and it's important to discuss comfort levels around our children's risk-taking to make sure we're on the same page.
Discipline
Our discipline style is kind and respectful, but firm. We believe that when children are happily engaged in productive activities, physically and emotionally healthy, well-rested and well-fed they usually behave well. Healthy behavior is further encouraged by giving positive direction and verbal feedback, using redirection, and offering encouragement and positive reinforcement when the desired behavior is observed. We strive to model the behaviors that we wish to see in the children we care for, since we believe that children learn by example.
Causing physical and emotional harm to other children at daycare is not permitted, and neither is disobeying instructions that relate to the safety and well-being of the children in our care. If children behave in ways that are not acceptable for daycare, they will be disciplined in a manner appropriate to their age and to the situation. For example, a child who consistently refuses to hold hands while crossing the street during field trips will need to stay in the stroller instead of walking until they are able to consistently follow our safety guidelines for walking near traffic. We are committed to peaceful conflict resolution, finding creative solutions to challenging situations, and are open to children’s own problem-solving efforts if they are appropriate for the situation at hand.
Our discipline style is kind and respectful, but firm. We believe that when children are happily engaged in productive activities, physically and emotionally healthy, well-rested and well-fed they usually behave well. Healthy behavior is further encouraged by giving positive direction and verbal feedback, using redirection, and offering encouragement and positive reinforcement when the desired behavior is observed. We strive to model the behaviors that we wish to see in the children we care for, since we believe that children learn by example.
Causing physical and emotional harm to other children at daycare is not permitted, and neither is disobeying instructions that relate to the safety and well-being of the children in our care. If children behave in ways that are not acceptable for daycare, they will be disciplined in a manner appropriate to their age and to the situation. For example, a child who consistently refuses to hold hands while crossing the street during field trips will need to stay in the stroller instead of walking until they are able to consistently follow our safety guidelines for walking near traffic. We are committed to peaceful conflict resolution, finding creative solutions to challenging situations, and are open to children’s own problem-solving efforts if they are appropriate for the situation at hand.
Time-outs will generally not be used however, if needed, the child may be encouraged to take some quiet time with an object that provides comfort (soother, teddy) if it might help the child to calm down. If the child is unable to self-soothe, we will comfort the child as much as possible, so long as other children do not need our urgent attention. Once the child feels calm again we can work together to find a resolution to the situation. Children are encouraged to address each other directly and work together to find solutions when they have disagreements: this helps prevent victim/aggressor dynamics from taking shape.
Children will never be shamed for behaving in ways that we don’t like: we strive to be firm, but respectful when disciplining the children in our care. If your child exhibits challenging behaviors for an extended period of time we will request that we meet to discuss possible solutions we can implement together.
Our key influences and resources on parenting and childcare are:
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, And Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Becoming the Parent You Want To Be
by Laura Davis and Janis Keyser
Kids Are Worth It!
by Barbara Coloroso
Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child
by Mary Gordon
Children will never be shamed for behaving in ways that we don’t like: we strive to be firm, but respectful when disciplining the children in our care. If your child exhibits challenging behaviors for an extended period of time we will request that we meet to discuss possible solutions we can implement together.
Our key influences and resources on parenting and childcare are:
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen, And Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Becoming the Parent You Want To Be
by Laura Davis and Janis Keyser
Kids Are Worth It!
by Barbara Coloroso
Roots of Empathy: Changing the World Child by Child
by Mary Gordon