24. Child Discipline

Question 1

Policy

Child care programs are required to develop a written child discipline and expulsion policy outlining how discipline will be handled.

Answer 1

~ the policy must be developmentally appropriate and support social-emotional and behavioral health promotion practices
~ the policy should outline the intervention procedures for caregivers to do to prevent and respond to challenging behaviors
~ all program personnel must comply with the written policy
~ each child care program is required to provide each family with a copy of the current discipline policy to ensure they understand how the program will handle any issues while the child is in care
~ the program must have verification the family has received the policy, which can be a signed form

Question 2

Child Discipline

Answer 2

~ prohibited from spanking children or using any form of physical punishment
~ corporal punishment may not be used in any child care program; this includes but is not limited to hitting, demanding excessive exercise, eating soap, exposure to extreme temperatures, or harsh handling of children
~ children shall not be subjected to discipline that is severe, humiliating, or frightening
~ discipline shall not be associated with food, rest, or toileting
~ children cannot be isolated in a room, closet, or area where they are not seen or supervised
~ children cannot be bound or tied, have their mouths taped, or have their movement restricted
~ children may not be put in a crib or portable crib as a form of discipline
~ no abusive, profane, or sarcastic language, or verbal abuse, may be used with children
~ active indoor and outdoor play may not be withheld from children who misbehave
~ if a child misbehaves during circle time, caregivers cannot make them miss outdoor time
~ child care personnel may not commit any acts of abuse or neglect with children in their care