Code of Conduct
Day Nursery Centre is a child-care facility which emphasizes individual growth for all children by promoting a safe, healthy and caring learning environment through its dedication to the family and community. We strive to provide a safe, caring learning environment for all staff, children and families. We believe in equality and respect diversity of all people.
In order to achieve the above, it is imperative that each and every individual who is associated with our centre abides by this Code of Conduct and conducts him/herself in a respectful manner. Day Nursery Centre expects that all adults and children within our centres be treated with dignity and respect. This includes directors, administrative staff, all other employees, children, parents, guardians, caregivers, and family members of children enrolled with our centres. It also includes members of the Board of Directors and anyone else involved with our centres. This includes, but is not limited to:
1. Therapists, professionals/para-professionals
2. Volunteers
3. Practicum students
4. Contractors/maintenance service providers
5. School personnel
6. Licensing coordinators and inspectors
7. Delivery agents
We recognize the varying developmental capabilities of children and understand that it is normal for children to display inappropriate behaviour at times for a variety of reasons. The developmental capabilities of each child will always be considered when determining both expectations for appropriate behaviour and consequences for inappropriate behaviour.
We follow these Guiding Principles:
1. BE RESPECTFUL: We are respectful of ourselves and other people. We are respectful of the ideas and feelings of others. We solve our problems by talking and listening to each other respectfully to find a solution. We are respectful of the environment, equipment and materials.
2. BE RESPONSIBLE: We are responsible for our own actions and words. When problems arise, we use problem solving techniques to try to resolve the issue in a positive way.
3. BE SAFE: We work and play safely to help keep ourselves and others from getting hurt.
4. BE SUPPORTIVE OF LEARNING: We learn to the best of our abilities and support the learning of others.
We will actively strive to create and maintain an environment that supports the health, safety and well-being of the children by:
1. Having realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour;
2. Setting up the environment and materials to encourage appropriate behaviour and reduce potential for inappropriate behaviour;
3. Planning a program based on children’s interests and developmental needs; and
4. Establishing consistent, yet flexible schedules and routines that help children gain trust, security and self control.
We create a positive environment for children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:
1. Developing positive relationships, including making time to talk and listen;
2. Establishing clear, consistent limits, rules, procedures and policies;
3. Stating limits in a positive way and periodically reminding people;
4. Providing explanations for limits, rules, procedures and policies;
5. Modeling and encouraging appropriate behaviour; and
6. Working together in partnership to solve problems.
The following, while not limiting, are examples of unacceptable behaviour;
1. All forms of bullying: i.e. physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber-bullying including comments, actions or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful and repetitive (i.e. hitting, pushing, name-calling, mocking, excluding someone, spreading rumours or gossip either in person or by using social networking internet sites);
2. Harassment: behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone (i.e. touching, name-calling, offensive jokes, yelling, etc.);
3. All forms of abuse: sexual, physical, or psychological (including verbally, in writing or otherwise);
4. Discrimination: against any person or group because of their race, colour, ancestry, nationality, place of origin, ethnic background, religion, age, sex, gender-determined characteristics, sexual orientation, marital or family status, source of income, political belief, and physical and mental disabilities;
5. Actions that put another person at risk of harm including violent or attempted violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone; and
The inappropriate use of technology, including e-mail, the internet and other technology, in keeping with the Centre’s policy on the use of technology