06/07/2022
OUR PHILOSOPHY
At Alexa's Daycare we believe children learn best through exploration, independent play and self-expression. Children are provided with age-appropriate hands-on activities, which stimulate social, emotional and physical growth. Alexa's Daycare believes it is important to promote and provide a loving & safe environment to young children, so that they are able to fully flourish into smart, caring, unique individuals. We also believe it is important to help them believe in themselves and their potential in this world, with great self-talk.
We maintain a positive discipline policy, which focuses on prevention, redirection, love, consistency and firmness.
We stress two main patterns of behavior: respect for other people and respect for property, and we develop our Behavior Guidelines based on these.
We review the guidelines with the children frequently.
• Young children are learning how to express their feelings and we try to teach and guide them to do this without hurting others. We help provide words when we tell them to “use their words”.
For example: When telling a 2-year-old to “use your words,” instead of hitting when he is angry, we may say, “It looks like you were very angry when Blake took your book. Tell Blake how you feel.”
• At the same time, we teach negotiation skills, so children learn to work out a plan when they want to play with the same toy, as well as teaching the child who wants the toy next how to request it. (Ex. “Sam, let’s ask Sarah if you can please have the truck when she is done.”)
• We will try to prevent problems, redirect when appropriate, teach and model appropriate social interactions, and help children learn to manage and communicate their feelings.
• We will discuss inappropriate behavior, encourage making amends when the offense involves another person, and sometimes withdraw privileges based on the principle of "natural consequences."
• In some circumstances, we will have the child take time to calm down & reflect on the behavior. If they physically harm another person, they may be asked to take the calm down time in a separated area like a chair or a few feet away. But in no way will the child be talked down to, emotionally embarrassed, shamed, nor placed in isolation. That would go against our core beliefs of emotional well-being.
• Under NO CIRCUMSTANCES will there be any spanking, physical abuse, verbal abuse, or name calling used in our care. Neither food nor sleep will ever be withheld from children as a means of punishment.
