Discipline shall at all times be direct, firm, consistent, individualized and leading the child towards self-discipline.  As a Christian center, Biblical precepts of Law and Gospel are used to guide the child.  Each child is loved as a child of God, forgiven through His grace.  If the usual disciplinary measures are unsuccessful, the teacher and/or the director will ask the parents to come for a conference to discuss the situation. Please read the Discipline and Guidance policy at the end of this handbook carefully.  A signed form acknowledging receipt will be placed in your child’s file.

 

• Discipline must be:
  1.      Individualized and consistent for each child
  2.      Appropriate to the child’s level of understanding; and
  3.      Directed toward teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control.
   
• A caregiver may only use positive methods of discipline and guidance that encourage self-esteem, self-control, and self-direction, which include at least the following:
  1.      Using praise and encouragement of good behavior instead of focusing only upon unacceptable behavior;
  2.      Reminding a child of behavior expectations daily by using clear, positive statements;
  3.      Redirecting behavior using positive statements; and
  4.      Using brief supervised separation or time out from the group, when appropriate for the child’s age and development, which is limited to no more than one minute per year of the child’s age.
   
• There must be no harsh, cruel, or unusual treatment of any child.  The following types of discipline and guidance are prohibited:
  1.      Corporal punishment or threats of corporal punishment;
  2.      Punishment associated with food, naps, or toilet training;
  3.      Pinching, shaking, or biting a child;
  4.      Hitting a child with a hand or instrument;
  5.      Putting anything in or on a child’s mouth;
  6.      Humiliating, ridiculing, rejecting, or yelling at a child;
  7.      Subjecting a child to harsh, abusive, or profane language;
  8.      Placing a child in a locked or dark room, bathroom, or closet with the door closed; and
  9.      Requiring a child to remain silent or inactive for inappropriately long periods of time for the child’s age.
   

Discipline must be:
1.      Individualized and consistent for each child
2.      Appropriate to the child’s level of understanding; and
3.      Directed toward teaching the child acceptable behavior and self-control.