Woodlands - Interactions with Children, Families & Staff Policy
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) identifies secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships with children as one of the principles that underpin practice. Within an early childhood community, many different relationships are negotiated with and between children, educators and families. The way in which these relationships are established and maintained, and the way in which they remain visible impacts on how the early childhood community functions as a whole. Relationships directly affect how children form their own identity, whether or not they feel safe and supported, and ultimately, their sense of belonging.
All parents, guardians, authorised contacts, family members and visitors are not permitted to discipline verbally or any other way the children of other families. Should a parent, guardian, authorised contact, family member and visitor, have an issue or concern regarding the conduct of another child, family or member of the Woodlands team, they shall follow appropriate respectful procedures.
It is important for families, children and staff to develop respectful relationships based on open communication with the aim of encouraging families’ engagement and to build a strong sense of belonging and act in the best interests of all children through creating and maintaining safe, healthy, inclusive environments.
Woodlands will ensure that children are not discriminated against on the basis of gender, sexuality, age, ability, economic status, family structure, lifestyle, ethnicity, religion, language, culture, or national origin (code of ethics 2019). All parents/guardians, authorised contacts, family members and visitors are encouraged to communicate through appropriate channels such as partnership meetings, respectful and appropriate drop off and pick up times (ensure confidentiality).
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National Quality Standard (NQS)
| Quality Area 2 – Children's health and safety |
| 2.2 | Safety | Each child is protected. |
| 2.2.1 | Supervision | At all times, reasonable precautions and adequate supervision ensure children are protected from harm and hazard |
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Quality Area 5: Relationships with Children |
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5.1 |
Relationships between educators and children |
Respectful and equitable relationships are maintained with each child |
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5.1.1 |
Positive educator to child interactions |
Responsive and meaningful interactions build trusting relationships which engage and support each child to feel secure, confident and included. |
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5.1.2 |
Dignity and rights of the child |
The dignity and rights of every child are maintained |
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5.2 |
Relationships between children |
Each child is supported to build and maintain sensitive and responsive relationships |
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5.2.1 |
Collaborative learning |
Children are supported to collaborate, learn from and help each other |
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Quality Area 6: Collaborative partnerships with families and communities |
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6.1 |
Supportive relationships with families |
Respectful relationships with families are developed and maintained and families are supported in their parenting role |
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6.1.1 |
Engagement with the service |
Families are supported from enrolment to be involved in the service and contribute to service decisions |
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6.1.2 |
Parents views are respected |
The expertise, culture, values and beliefs of families are respected and families share decision-making about their child’s learning and wellbeing |
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6.1.3 |
Families are supported |
Current information is available to families about the service and relevant community services and resources to support parenting and family wellbeing |
| Quality Area 7 – Governance and leadership |
| 7.1.2 | Management Systems | Systems are in place to manage risk and enable the effective management and operation of a quality service |
Education and Care Services National Regulations
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Children (Education and Care Services) National Law NSW |
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155 |
Interactions with children |
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156 |
Relationships in groups |
Child safe standards
Standard 2: Child safety and wellbeing is embedded in organisational leadership, governance and culture.
2.1 The organisation makes a public commitment to child safety.
2.2 A child safe culture is championed and modelled at all levels of the organisation from the top down and bottom up.
2.3 Governance arrangements facilitate implementation of the Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy at all levels.
Related Policies
Purpose
We aim to build positive relationships with children, families and educators through collaboration and interactions, which is reflective in our Service philosophy and the Early Years Learning Framework. Educators will encourage positive relationships between children and their peers as well as with educators and families at the Service, ensuring children feel safe and supported.
Scope
This policy applies to children, families, staff, management and visitors of the Service.
Implementation
This policy provides guidelines to promote reasonable and appropriate behaviour to ensure all interactions with children, staff and other adults are respected. There is a responsibility to provide an open, welcoming and safe environment for all children, staff and adults. We believe that all parents/guardians, family members and visitors play a crucial and valuable role in upholding the safety and respect of all.
This code of conduct applies to all parents, guardians, authorised contacts, family members and visitors of both children enrolled or not enrolled at our service, inside operating hours and or events held at Woodlands.
In order to build and maintain positive and respectful relationships with children, families and Educators our Service will adhere to our philosophy and code of ethics to guide:
Interactions with Children
Children need positive relationships with Educators that are trusting and responsive to their needs. Management and Educators will:
- Create a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere in which children experience equitable, friendly and genuine interactions with all Educators
- Use appropriate language and behaviour will be role modelled by Educators
- Support children to be aware of their own feelings as well as the feelings of others
- Encourage children to treat all children with respect as their friend
- Provide children with the opportunity to explore their dispositions for learning by expressing themselves and their opinions
- Assist the children to build resilience and self-assurance through positive interactions
- Guide children’s behaviour positively
- Respect the rights of children
- Support children in early childhood environments
- Speak to children in a positive manner at all times, promoting respect, tolerance and empathy; this includes children using non-verbal cues
- Engage in meaningful, open interactions that support the acquisition of skills for life and learning of children
- Respect each child’s uniqueness, are attuned to and respond sensitively and appropriately to children’s efforts to communicate and will use the child’s own language, communication styles and culture to enhance their interactions
- Listen to children and take them seriously; they will support and encourage children to use appropriate language in their interactions with adults and peers. Educators will extend upon children’s interests and ideas through questions and discussions, supported in observations, reflections and programming
- Communicate with children by getting down to their level, showing respect to the child whilst promoting effective communication and eye contact.
- Show empathy to children
- Ensure that the values, beliefs and cultural practices of the child and family are considered and respected
- No child is ever isolated for any reason other than illness, accident or pre-arranged appointment with parental consent. During this time they will be under adult supervision
- Regularly reflect on their relationships and interactions with children and how these can be improved to benefit each child
- Challenge children’s individual development
Interactions with Families
Effective communication is the key to developing and maintaining positive interactions and relationships with others. Educators working within the service are required to demonstrate mutual respect towards each other and value the contributions made by each educator. This enables our Service to maintain positive relations and model the type of communication they want children to develop. Educators also need to use positive communication with families and children in order to create a responsive and inclusive environment for all.
All parents, guardians, authorised contacts, family members and visitors shall be expected to communicate appropriately with all educators whilst dropping off or collecting children to and from the service.
In the event that the code of conduct is breached, the Campus manager/Nominated Supervisor, in collaboration with the Woodland’s leadership team, will investigate and if satisfied a breach has occurred:
- Provide a first and/or final warning, depending on the severity of the incident were a breach of the code of conduct has occurred and that a further breech will not be tolerated.
- Determine course of action, whereby the parent/guardian, authorised contact, family member or visitor will have minimal and or supervised access to the premises.
- There will be a risk of enrolment being terminated.
Appropriate communication includes and not limited to:
- Appropriate language
- Calm tone
- Unobtrusive body language
- Considerate, positive, and respectful interactions
Management and Educators will ensure:
- All families are treated equitably without bias or judgement; recognising that each family is unique
- Families and children are greeted upon arrival
- Two-way communication is established through leading by example and asking questions
- Common terminology is used when talking to parents regarding their child’s development
- Never to discuss another child or family information with a parent or visitor
- To remain sensitive to cultural differences amongst families and are to encourage families to share cultural aspects with the children and Educators at the Services
- To always endeavour and seek the advice and opinion from experts with family permission, to help with regards to a child with additional needs or support a family through resources available from such support agencies as KU Inclusion Support Agency, Area Health or the private sector
- To endeavour to recognise and implement several different ways to communicate with families in their preferred chosen way
- Verbal communication is always open, respectful and honest
- Families are provided with up to date service information and notice through Daily Reports, Newsletter, communal signs, emails and sign-in sheets
- To regularly reflect on parent input into the program and make changes where necessary that will best benefit the service and children
- Children are treated and programmed for as individuals
Interactions with Staff and Educators
The Service recognises that the way Educators interact with each other has an effect on the interactions they have with children and families.
To maintain professionalism at all times, Educators will:
- Preserve professional communication in order to create an effective work environment and to build a positive relationship with Educators, Children and Families. Communication amongst colleagues creates a positive atmosphere and a professional service for families. Communication between staff and families ensures that important information is being passed on and that consistency occurs
- Collaborate together as a team sharing room roles and responsibilities through the use of a roster where necessary
- Be respectful when listening to each other’s point of view and ideas
- Maintain effective communication to ensure that teamwork occurs
- Use staff meetings to communicate their professional reflections and ideas for continuous improvement as a team
- Attend In-service training to update and refresh individual skills and knowledge
- Refer to the Staff Grievance Policy/Procedure if they feel a situation with another Educator is not being handled with professionalism, respect and quality
- Recognise each other’s strengths and valuing the different work each does
- Work collaboratively to reach decisions which will enhance the quality of the Education and care offered at the Service
- Welcome diverse views and perspectives
- Work together as a team and engaging in open and honest communication at all times
- Respect each other’s positions and opinions.
- Develop and share networks and links with other agencies
- Resolve differences promptly and positively and using the experience to learn more effective methods of working together
To enhance communication and teamwork, Educators will:
- Provide new educators with relevant information about the Service and program through an Educator handbook, induction and daily communication
- Maintain confidentiality
- Treat each team member with respect
- Be sensitive to the feelings and needs of other team members
- Provide constructive feedback to each other
- Trust each other
- Value the role and contribution of each educator
- Provide opportunities for all educators to have input and evaluate the program
- Appreciate and utilise educator skills and interests
- Provide support and assistance to each other
- Share responsibilities
- Have a flexible attitude towards team roles and responsibilities
- Greet each other by name
- Show genuine interest in the other person by using active and reflective listening
- Communicate ideas and opinions clearly and professionally
- Use a communication book or daily diary to pass on messages and record relevant information
- Hold regular educator meetings
- Use appropriate conflict resolution techniques to solve problems
- Ensure policies and procedures are up to date regarding communication, expected behaviour and grievances
- Opportunities for professional development
Offensive conduct will not be tolerated. This may include and not limited to:
- Behaviours prohibited by law.
- When a parent/guardian, authorised contact, family member, visitor threatens physical or intimidating actions toward a chid, staff member or another adult within the Woodlands premises.
- When a parent/guardian, authorised contact, family member, visitor exhibits bullying behaviour, or is verbally abusive children, staff or another adult.
Code of Conduct policy:
https://woodlandelc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/900001705866-Code-of-Conduct-Policy-QA4
Child safe standards:
https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/the-11-child-safe-standards/
Source
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Review
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Policy Reviewed |
Modifications |
Next Review Date |
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May 2017 |
Minor changes made and additions to ensure Educators are challenging children’s individual development. |
May 2018 |
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October 2017 |
Updated the references to comply with the revised National Quality Standard |
May 2018 |
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May 2018 |
Minor grammatical changes made to content. (Not critical to it’s delivery) |
May 2019 |
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November 2019
February 2024 |
Branding and formatting adjustments Centre Specific information adjusted but not affecting delivery Merged with Respect for children policy Retitled Relationships with Children Interactions with families and Educators sections removed- incorporated into Parental Involvement Policy and Educator and Management policy
Head of Education reviewed and revised the policy to ensure, code of conduct, Code of ethics and Child safe standards are embedded.
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April 2020
Feb 2025 |