Behavior and Discipline

Children are still learning how to manage emotions, follow directions, and interact appropriately with others. Our goal is to help every child become a respectful, confident, and productive member of the classroom community. We use a consistent three-step process to teach positive behavior.

Our Three-Step Behavior Process

1. Redirection and Modeling

We use positive redirection, offer choices, and model appropriate behavior. Rather than focusing only on what a child should not do, we teach them what they can do instead. Our goal is to help children develop self-discipline, manage emotions, and cooperate with others.

2. Removal and Conversation

If redirection is ineffective, we may remove the child from the situation and calmly discuss their behavior and more appropriate choices.

3. Time-Out (Teacups classrooms excluded)

If redirection and conversation do not resolve the behavior, we may use a time-out to reinforce a consequence or give the child time to calm down before returning to the activity. Time-out duration will correspond to the child's age in years (for example, a three-year-old may have a three-minute time-out). *Time-Out is not a behavior strategy used for children under age two. 

This process will be applied consistently, except when immediate action is necessary to address a dangerous situation.

Classroom Expectations and Individual Needs

We want every child to succeed at Tots N Toyland, but we recognize that childcare is not the right fit for every child. Some children have difficulty adjusting to group-care expectations and may withdraw from activities or engage in disruptive behaviors.

Disturbances to the Classroom Environment or Failure to Thrive

A successful classroom depends on children being able to participate in activities, follow reasonable directions, and respect the needs of others. When behaviors are frequent or prolonged, they may interfere with learning and indicate that a child needs additional support. We use the following criteria to evaluate whether our environment can adequately meet a child's needs.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

² Noncompliance with teacher directives

² Failure to remain seated during meals or group activities

² Back-talk

² Elopement or refusal to remain with staff

² Screaming lasting more than 30 minutes

² Purposefully dumping material bins or unreasonably destroying organized materials

² Refusal to assist with cleanup

² Climbing furniture

² Withdrawing from or hiding from the group

² Disrupting other children's sleep

² Intentionally aggravating peers

These behaviors may indicate that a child is struggling to adjust to the classroom environment. We will work with the child to improve behavior and keep families informed through Brightwheel, documenting progress and ongoing concerns.

If these disturbances are not sufficiently improved within two months, or if we cannot resolve behaviors that significantly interfere with the group's learning and well-being, we may ask the family to arrange an alternative care environment better suited to the child's needs.

Forbidden Actions w/ Incident Report

A parent signature is required for each Incident Report to ensure families are aware of the behavior, its frequency, and the circumstances surrounding it. The following behaviors require an Incident Report each time they occur:

² Biting, kicking, hitting, punching, or slapping

² Foul language, verbal threats, spitting, or screaming lasting longer than 30 consecutive minutes

² Choking or pinching

² Property destruction

² Inappropriate physical contact or exposure

² Elopement or intentional refusal to stay with staff

Progressive Action Timeline (PAT)

Our Progressive Action Timeline is designed to address recurring behaviors and protect the well-being of all children.

Step 1: First Parent Conference

After 5 Incident Reports within a 28-day period, we will request a parent conference to discuss the behaviors and develop an intervention plan.

Step 2: Second Parent Conference

We will continue observing the child's behavior and evaluating the intervention. If an additional 5 Incident Reports occur within the next 28-day period, we will hold a second conference to develop additional or alternative interventions.

Step 3: Alternative Care Arrangement

If the behavior continues and an additional 5 Incident Reports occur within another 28-day period after the second conference, we will be unable to continue accommodating the behavior and will request that the family arrange an alternative care environment.

Ending care is a difficult decision. We are committed to working with families throughout this process so they remain informed, involved, and aware of their child's behavioral progress and our efforts to provide support.

Biting Provision

Biting always requires an Incident Report but follows additional guidelines based on the child's classroom. Bites are evaluated in groups of five within a 28-day period, unless a more specific policy below prevails. 

Bite Severity Levels

Level 1: A red mark, superficial tooth marks that fade within an hour, or a welt.

Level 2: A bite that leaves bruising.

Level 3: A bite that breaks the skin and causes bleeding.

Toyland Teacups — Ages 0–23 Months

Children in Teacups are not subject to removal from care due to biting, except when five Level 3 bites occur within any 60-day period.

Toyland Travelers — Ages 24–47 Months

Level 1: Follows the standard Progressive Action Timeline.

Level 2: An intervention is required after five occurrences. Biting is tracked over 12 consecutive weeks beginning with the first bite. A calendar week is considered “Bite Positive” when more than two bites occur during that week.

If more than eight weeks within a 12-week period are Bite Positive, whether consecutive or not, we may request removal from care.

Five Level 3 bites within any 60-day period may also result in a request for removal from care.

Toyland Trailblazers — Ages 48 Months Through Kindergarten Entry

Removal from care may be requested if either of the following occurs:

Five Level 1 or Level 2 bites within any 180-day period.

Two Level 3 bites within any 180-day period.