At Seven Steps Childcare, we believe that following a child's interests is the best starting point for getting to know and accepting each child just as they are. Our approach is built on a foundation of trust and mutual respect, developed by being calm, nurturing, positive, and consistent.

Ethos and positive relationships

We focus on building curiosity and independence by opening up communication led by the child. Our philosophy is rooted in professional experience across primary and nursery settings, where we have seen that children do not need to fight for attention when they feel truly heard.

• Positive focus: We prioritise specific praise so children feel valued for their efforts.
• Kindness: We celebrate pro-social behaviours and kindness.
• Trust: We invest time in each child to ensure they feel secure and happy in our setting.

Understanding and managing behaviour

In line with the EYFS, we are responsible for supporting and managing children's behaviour appropriately. We focus on the "why" behind an action rather than just reacting to the "what".

• Safety first: Our priority is keeping children safe without criticism.
• Curiosity over criticism: We observe what a child is trying to achieve and discuss their personal interests with parents to understand their usual behaviours.
• Quality first teaching: We provide learning experiences tailored to a child's interests to naturally build engagement and cooperation.
• Inclusion: We promote an accepting environment for all children, regardless of their needs or backgrounds.

Role modelling and professional standards

As the primary role models, we demonstrate British Values—including democracy, individual liberty, and mutual respect, through daily interactions. These values help children understand how to be part of a community. We are committed to regular training to keep our knowledge of positive behaviour management current.

Partnership with parents and carers

We value working closely with families and other professionals to ensure consistency. From the first meeting, we seek to understand each child's experiences and interests to incorporate family expectations into our setting’s golden rules. We help parents understand the value of positive behaviour management and can share resources, such as the Northumberland Early Years Inclusion Toolkit, when extra support is needed.

Prohibited practices and compliance

The wellbeing of children is paramount. We strictly adhere to national regulations regarding physical discipline:

• Corporal punishment: This is never used or threatened. We ensure no one in contact with the children or on the premises uses corporal punishment.
• Legal requirement: We acknowledge that failure to meet these requirements is a criminal offence.

Recording and resources

We maintain high standards of documentation to inform future care:

• Incident recording: Significant behaviour incidents are recorded in detail, including actions taken and future management plans, to ensure transparency.
• Positive resources: Our setting uses specifically chosen materials, such as books like "The Colour Monster," to help children explore feelings and emotions.

This policy is updated regularly to reflect national health and safety standards and is always available for parents to view on our website.