Deescalating Volatile Situations 

In spite of the limits that you set, difficult situations will arise.

1. Remain alert to the total situation. Attempt to foresee and forestall trouble. Redirect an uncooperative child to another activity.  Redirect the entire activity into a more wholesome direction.
2. Allow children of comparable size and ability to work out their own solutions. Encourage the shy child to stand up for him/herself. Encourage the aggressive child to verbalize.
3. Help children understand one another’s actions.
4. Treat toilet accidents casually.
5. Try to ignore improper language. Say “We talk nicely here”.
6. Do not allow a child to strike you. Gently say, “I don’t like to be hit”.
7. If one child requires too much adult attention, he or she should be temporarily removed from the group. Do so gently without punitive action.  Your purpose is to help him or her.

Giving Directions

1. Be sure you have the child’s attention. Make eye contact. Get down to the child’s level
2. Give positive directions that leave the child no choice of interpretation.
3. Give a choice of two things when possible.
4. Warn ahead of time before changing activity.
5. Never plead, threaten or strike.
6. Invite participation.
7. Direct the child to a new activity when the present activity is completed.
8. Use a quiet voice as much as possible. Get down to the child’s level when talking with him or her.

Professional Attitudes

1. Never discuss a child when another child is present.
2. Never discuss a child within his or her hearing.
3. Do not discuss one parent’s handling of a situation with another parent.
4. Please do not talk among yourselves in the classroom or playground.
5. Do not, at any time, leave children unsupervised, either indoors or outdoors, even for a few minutes.

Employees, students, and volunteers shall maintain professional boundaries with children at all times and conduct themselves in a manner that protects the dignity, safety, and well-being of every child. Any conduct that may be considered sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, exploitation, or a prescribed sexual act is strictly prohibited.

CONTRAVENTION OF THE PROHIBITED PRACTICES AND POSITIVE INTERACTION POLICY

1. Any child care employees or volunteer observed using disciplinary measures that contravene the Child Care and Early Years Act shall be reported immediately to the Supervisor/Executive Director. Any allegation, suspicion, or disclosure involving sexual abuse, sexual misconduct, exploitation, or prescribed sexual acts involving a child shall be reported immediately to the Executive Director or designate and managed in accordance with the Centre’s Child Protection Policy, Duty to Report obligations under the Child, Youth and Family Services Act, 2017, Serious Occurrence requirements, and any applicable reporting obligations to the Ministry of Education, law enforcement, and/or the College of Early Childhood Educators where required. He or she will take immediate steps to investigate the alleged incident.
2. The Centre Supervisor/Executive Director will immediately speak privately to the Employees member/volunteer involved, at which time the Supervisor/Executive Director will have to be satisfied that he or she has the facts, that they are as reported, that the incident is documented, and a copy is placed in the employee’s file. Depending upon the severity of the conduct, the Supervisor/Executive Director may implement progressive discipline in accordance with the Progressive Discipline Policy set out in this Manual.  In the event that a student or volunteer contravenes the Prohibited Practices and Positive Interaction Policy, their placement may be terminated and they may be asked to leave the program.  The nature of the contravention of this policy may require the Supervisor/Executive Director to report the incident to the College of Early Childhood Educators or to the Ministry as a serious occurrence [or the Centre may decide to file a complaint to the College related to the incident].
3. If a second incident is reported and the Supervisor/Executive Director is fairly certain that this incident occurred, he or she will take the employee aside, discuss it briefly with him or her and send him or her home. A meeting will be arranged for the next day with the employee and the Supervisor/Executive Director.
4. The outcome of this meeting will be based on whether returning the employee to his or her job would place the children at risk. If the employee continues on employment, a warning letter will be given/sent to him or her and a copy placed in the employee’s file. The employee should then sign the letter acknowledging receipt.
5. Any further incident would result in immediate suspension, followed by an emergency meeting with the employee and the Supervisor/Executive Director. The Supervisor/Executive Director will attempt to get clarification and meet with the employee as quickly as possible in order to take appropriate measures.
6. If the employee is observed using prohibited practices that contravene the Child Care and Early Years Act, the observer (whether parent or Employees) will report the incident immediately to the Supervisor/Executive Director. The Supervisor/Executive Director will attempt to get clarification and meet with the employee as quickly as possible in order to take appropriate measures.
7. The Supervisor/Executive Director has to be satisfied that this is an isolated incident. However, if he or she hears about one or more incidents, he or she will follow steps 3, 4, 5 except the meeting would be with the Supervisor/Executive Director, President of the Board or delegate and the employee.
8. Documentation will be kept and filed at each step.

MONITORING OF POSITIVE INTERACTIONS

According Kids Come First Program statement, regular monitoring of positive interactions of each staff member(s) and of any person providing care to the children of Kids Come First.  Monitoring Positive Interactions are done on a daily basis by each staff member as a team.  Any incident observed and/or reported of Prohibited practices will be discussed with the staff member(s) in question as soon as possible and documented.

The Management will be able to accomplish this on an ongoing basis by spending time working with staff in the classrooms.  A minimum of one monitoring sessions will be reviewed with staff in the Kids Come First office at a mutually agreed upon time.

Revised: July 1, 2026

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Page updated September 2026