Prohibited Practices
The purpose of disciplining children is to guide them toward acceptable behaviours. Providers must ensure that the behaviour management practices they follow are appropriate and that they report any problems with prohibited practices or any unusual disciplinary problems to their Child Care Advisor.
Unacceptable/Prohibited Practices
The Child Care & Early Years Act outlines the following measures as unacceptable ones to use with young children:
(a) corporal punishment of the child;
(b) physical restraint of the child, such as confining the child to a high chair, car seat, stroller or other devices for the purposes of discipline or in lieu of supervision, unless the physical restraint is for the purpose of preventing a child from hurting himself, herself or someone else, and is used only as a last resort and only until the risk of injury is no longer imminent;
(c) locking the exits of the child care centre or home child care premises for the purpose of confining the child, or confining the child in an area or room without adult supervision, unless such confinement occurs during an emergency and is required as part of the licensee’s emergency management policies and procedures;
(d) use of harsh or degrading measures or threats or use of derogatory language directed at or used in the presence of a child that would humiliate, shame or frighten the child or undermine his or her self-respect, dignity or self-worth;
(e) depriving the child of basic needs including food, drink, shelter, sleep, toilet use, clothing or bedding; or
(f) Inflicting any bodily harm on children including making children eat or drink against their will.
Administrative Practices
The operator also ensures that:
- the prohibited practices policies and procedures are reviewed with the provider (and volunteers, students or persons ordinarily in the home) annually and prior to the commencement of care for new children.
- a signed record is kept with the date of each review.
Procedures for Contravention
Failure to comply with the above policies will result in:
- termination of the agreement with the Agency
- if warranted, legal action will be taken; or
- where necessary other appropriate action:
- where applicable reporting to the College of ECE
Handbook Acknowledgement
All providers, students, volunteer and any other persons who are regularly or ordinarily on the premises are required to review and acknowledge that they have read all the policies and information in The Provider Handbook (PDF) including:
- Program Information and Overviews
- Ratio and Maximum Capacity Policy
- Private Children Policy
- Replacement Provider Policy
- Equipment Policy
- Prohibited Practices/Behaviour Management Policy
- Supervision Policy
- Sleep Policy
- Health and Drug Administration Policies and Procedures
- Food Preparation and Sanitary Policies and Procedures
- Serious Occurrence Policy
- Fire Evacuation and Emergency Procedures
- Anaphylaxis Policy / Food Allergies and Medical Alerts Policy and Procedures
- Training and Development Policy
- Standing Bodies of Water Policy
- Program Statement Policy
