Discipline Policy
Sunshine Early Learning Center’s mission is to support the growth of all children and families equitably so that they can learn, grow, and shine bright to their highest potential!
At Sunshine Early Learning Centers, we strive to implement strength-based, family-centered approaches to learning and care through developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum. This encompasses diverse, inclusive, culturally responsive instruction, professional development, and supportive community services program wide.
LEARN
Use our play-based curriculum to learn social emotional skills with other children, adults, and the community.
GROW
Grow in physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills, develop a love of learning, and become a lifelong learner!
SHINE
For each child to learn that everyone is unique, to shine in their uniqueness, and to be proud of who they are and what they can do.
Sunshine Early Learning Center teachers are focused on using preventative strategies to support the inclusion of all children. Teachers are trained on the Pyramid Model and implement these evidence-based practices with coaching. These include site-wide behavior expectations, predictable and consistent routines, 5 positive deposits to every 1 negative withdrawal with children, Routines within Routines, increasing child engagement, providing universal support such as classroom visuals, and teaching social-emotional skills.
Sunshine Early Learning Center uses positive ways to channel children’s emotions by:
Sunshine Early Learning uses the Pyramid Model to promote children’s social emotional learning. The Pyramid Model practices establish a predictable routine with a balanced schedule of child-directed and teacher-directed activities. We employ these strategies to support engagement in our program.
Redirect negative behavior to an acceptable activity by gently encouraging the child to change activities.
Positive Reinforcement, teaching expectations and positive social skills.
Help children understand consequences to behavior in ways that encompass all individuals while fostering inclusivity and understanding.
Scaffold instructions, choices or activities.
Sunshine Early Learning Program Wide Behavior Expectations
Be Safe
Be Kind
Be Respectful
Prohibited Discipline Practices at Sunshine Early Learning Center and per the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care as follows:
414-305-0710 Prohibited Discipline and Actions A certified child care center must not use or threaten to use any of the following prohibited actions even if requested or agreed to by parents: (1) Rough or harsh handling of children or use of corporal punishment in any form, including, but not limited to hitting, spanking, slapping, shaking, swatting, throwing, jerking, pinching, biting, or other measures that produce physical pain; (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) Bind or restrict a child's movement unless permitted under OAR 414-305-0720, Physical Restraint; Using unauthorized prescription or non-prescription drugs or chemicals for discipline or to control behavior; Confining or isolating a child in an enclosed or darkened area (e.g., a locked or closed room, bathroom, closet, or box for punishment); Withdrawing, denying or forcing food, rest, or toileting; Forcing or compelling a child to eat or placing soap, food, spices, or foreign substances in the child’s mouth; Exposing a child to extremes of temperature; Yelling harshly or using profane or abusive language; Punishing or demeaning a child for toileting accidents or refusing to eat food; (10) Allowing any form of mental or emotional punishment or verbal abuse, including but not limited to public or private humiliation, name calling, teasing, ridicule, intimidation, making derogatory or sarcastic remarks about a child's family, race, gender, religion, or cultural background, rejecting, frightening, neglecting, or corrupting a child; (11) Demanding excessive physical exercise, excessive rest, or strenuous postures; or (12) Requiring a child to remain silent or inactive or removing a child from all activities or the group for excessive periods of time.
Physical restraint must only be used if a child's safety or the safety of others is threatened and must be: (a) Limited to holding a child as gently as possible to accomplish restraint; (b) Limited to the minimum amount of time necessary to control the situation; and (c) Developmentally appropriate. A staff member must not use bonds, ties, blankets, straps, or weights (including an adult using their body parts) to physically restrain children.