Supporting Emotional Wellbeing and Behaviour
At St Andrews Day Nursery we believe that children flourish best when they know how they and others are expected to behave. Children gain respect through interaction with caring adults who act as good role models, show them respect and value their individual personalities. The nursery actively promotes British values and encourages and praises positive, caring and polite behaviour at all times in and provides an environment where children learn to respect themselves, other people and their surroundings.
Children need to have set boundaries of behaviour for their own safety and the safety of their peers. Within the nursery we aim to set these boundaries in a way which helps the child to develop a sense of the significance of their own behaviour, both on their own environment and that of others around them. Restrictions on the child's natural desire to explore and develop their own ideas and concepts are kept to a minimum.
We aim to:
Recognise the individuality of all our children and that some behaviours are normal in young children e.g. biting
Encourage self-discipline, consideration for each other, our surroundings and property
Encourage children to participate in a wide range of group activities to enable them to develop their social skills
Ensure that all staff act as positive role models for children
Encourage parents and other visitors to be positive role models
Work in partnership with parents by communicating openly
Praise children and acknowledge their positive actions and attitudes, therefore ensuring that children see that we value and respect them
Encourage all staff working with children to accept their responsibility for implementing the goals in this policy and to be consistent
Promote non-violence and encourage children to deal with conflict peacefully
Provide a key person system enabling staff to build a strong and positive relationship with children and their families
Provide activities and stories to help children learn about accepted behaviours, including opportunities for children to contribute to decisions about accepted behaviour where age/stage appropriate
Meet Our Children's Emotional Wellbeing Worker
Meet Jess
Children's Emotional Wellbeing Worker
Children aren’t born with the concept of right from wrong or born with the understanding of what behaviour is acceptable; children learn these ideologies like we learn how to ride a bike – through trial and error. Behaviour can be displayed in many ways such as hitting, biting, and using inappropriate language. Sometimes these behaviours are away for children to communicate with the adults around them if they have not developed their language skills yet to communicate through words and feels.
At St. Andrews we understand the importance of setting appropriate boundaries for children to follow to make all children feel safe and secure. Staff have a working knowledge on what is expected of children at the nursery, and we always take into consideration the child's age and stage of development. Staff will support children to develop ways to regulate their emotions through play and language.
At St. Andrews we have an on-site Emotional Wellbeing worker whose role it is to undertake emotions and behaviour training and keep up to date information regarding behaviour in the early years. This person is to support not only staff but also the parents and careers, acting as a port of call for those who need advice.
Support for Parents
1- Our Children's Emotional Wellbeing Support Worker
Please speak to Jess who will be able to support you with advice. Jess will be able to put in place meetings to review strategies and keep in regular communication with Parents/carers.
2. Family Information Service
Visit the Family Information Service website- Children and families – Warwickshire County Council
Or phone them directly for the same day advice on 01926412412
3- Speak to your health visitor,
Your Child's health visitor will be able to offer you support and guidance.
If you are unable to get in contact with your health visitor, please let us know and we can support you with this.
4- Speak to your GP,
Your GP will be able to offer you advice and support.
Our Regulation Station - Calming Area
We have a regulation station within all of the rooms.
It is important to ensure the children have an environment that they can feel comfortable and safe to express their emotions.
This area is for children that are feeling distressed, frustrated, anxious or are overexcited and would like support to calm down.
The Regulation Station has a range of different resources to support the child. There are sensory items which support all of the 5 senses such as playdough, fidget toys, bubbles etc.
There are books available for the child to read alongside an adult, which look at emotions and feelings, to support a child to understand how they are feeling.
The staff members add items depending on the children's interest and what helps regulate each individual child.
We also ensure that each item is suitable for each age range.
We have breathing techniques for the children to help calm them down.
Below, you can see one of our finger tracing activities that are displayed within our regulation station. A staff member will support the children to choose an image of their choice and they will use their finger to follow the lines. This helps to focus on something different and will support their breathing, whilst their body begins to relax.
The children love this activity, even the babies have took a very keen liking to this and understand this really well.
If you would like more information regarding this, or would like some resources to use at home with your child then please speak to Payton, who will be happy to help.
