Managing behaviour

[klc106]

Hi all

We are a small setting with only a maximum of 12 children and 2 staff.

We are having real difficulty controlling the behaviour of the group, 3 children in particular. There are no special needs that we know of but they require constant attention from an adult else they will scream and cry, completely trash the room, run around with food, running inside and hurting others and general unacceptable behaviour. They seem totally unaware when we ask them to stop. We have tried reward charts, explaining why we don't do ..., sitting them out time but nothing seems to be working! Two of the children are around 30mths and the other is 39 months.

Any advice is most welcome!! We have our improvement advisor on at us about the behaviour of the 'group' but we have noticed the times these children are not in the whole session is completely different but when they are in the others seem disengaged which we believe is because we are dealing with their behaviour and also the room is trashed so they can't play as they should if that makes sense.

We Are also due Ofsted any time so want to deal with it asap.

 

Thanks ?

[Upsy Daisy]

What activities are you offering when they become disengaged?

[klc106]

The 3 children in particular are disengaged from the minute they walk in unless they have the attention of an adult. We always make sure there are activities out that they enjoy and even ask them what they want to play with but as soon as one of us leaves them alone then the inappropriate behaviour continues.

We also have a child with asd and another with learning difficulties but they are settled, engaged and progressing well. It seems to be these 3 particular children.

[finleysmaid]

I would deal with the under 3's differently from the over three. Try to divide and conquer if poss (can't remember if you have outside space???could you do this first thing?????) can you mix it up a bit ...how do they get hold of the food and run around for instance?? can you do things a different way round

 

I do time out for 3 year olds but not for the 2's...try to load praise for specifics ...I like the way you are playing that...I like the way you are talking/sitting etc

why do they cry/scream...what for do they want a toy? maybe analyse what they are doing it for...are there enough of all the toys for everyone....for a group of 12 you probably need 3/4 of each thing

[Rafa]

Yes I agree with finsleysmaid re the divide and conquer. If you have outside space get them outside for some lovely gross motor play, this will allow them to 'let off steam' . Maybe cut down on free play activities - to reduce trashing - and create little groups between you- eg have one adult with a group in the role play or at a playdoh table or a singing circle. Try to ignore stuff you can ignore and focus on the children who are engaged with you. With only two of you - although you are in ratio it does make dealing with behaviour like this very difficult. With regard your up coming Ofsted - I would write up whatever strategies you are going to use and show them your using them when they visit. Talk to Ofsted about how you are approaching this challenging behaviour. We all have challenging children from time to time or in some cases ALL the time and its extremely wearing!!

If it was me I would definately look at 'less is more' it could be that the environment is too busy and therefore making these children behave in a chaotic manner. We often cannot win because we are expected to provide for all interests but whilst you are trying to get control, I would BE in control - the children will still have fun and enjoy your directed play - it will be hard work for you 2 guys - but you need to show these children there are boundaries and rules. They can join in - or not. Most children do eventually.........

Apart from telling you you need to get ontop of the behaviour - has your improvemeng advisor given you any ADVICE?!!

I do hope you have outside space - as now the weathers looking better I would pretty much de-camp to outside - things all ways look better outside good luck with it.

[Guest]

Hi. Some great advice there. Just to say I know where you are coming from as there are only 2 of us but we have got a max of 16 and do have SEN also. Mind you I only have 3yrs + and therefore it is different. Consistency is very important. Its hard to give everyone choice when there are only 2 of you as there are always toileting issues, snack time, settling new children and free flow to cope with. ABC - look at what is causing/triggering the behaviour?

How long have the children been coming? What are they like at home?

These things sometimes take time and it can be a struggle/a drain but the reward is great when they actually start responding to you and the expectations you have. Keep going! It will be worth it in the end.

Again we praise all the positive things we see, praise other chlldren in their ear shot too, try to ignore the negative (unless un-safe or against your settings "rules"), lots of just simple hand signs and firm "stop" with a simple explanation eg our golden rules say we walk inside (focussing on the positive not the negative). We do give choice but you could be more limiting giving them the choice of just 2 options until they show they can play/take care of the toys.

Our room also gets trashed sometimes but we do insist that children do nearly all the tidying up as we are a pack-away setting. They learn that responsibility and that we all do it fairly quickly. Good role modelling by the older children.

I know that sometimes it can be hard with the two of you. It is going to take one of you out of the equation sorting this out. Just keep at it!You can do it! My deputy and I take it in turns to deal with this sort of thing (and sometimes when settling children ) as it becomes exhausting quickly..easier with a bigger team which I sometimes miss, however my Deputy and I sing from the same song sheet!!

Hope things get better for you.

[klc106]

Thanks al. Our improvement advisor is not offering much in terms of actual advice! It has come about since we had an awful ofsted inspection in january resulting in an inadequate grade and me dismissing my other member of staff. There is now just myself (I have BA and EYP) and my level 2 deputy who is working towards level 3. We have then been given a letter stating that unless I employ another level 3 member of staff then all funding will be stopped at the end of the summer term! They say this is because a deputy must be level 3 and when I said if I was absent the setting would close they said this was not meeting the needs of the children. I have tried telling them it is very rare this happens, in fact I have had 1 day off in 5 years!

 

We are not in a financial situation to take on another member of staff unless we get more children which we don't want to do as we pride ourselves in being a small and family like setting and our parents chose us for this reason. I have got all the parents on board with support and they have all written to the local authority asking for them to change their minds.

 

We believe the behaviour issues are a lot to do with having lots of visitors in, supply cover whilst we were under ratio and the children became confused about boundaries etc. I will definitely use the advice you have given!

[MegaMum]

Every year, there are children that present challenges and it is very difficult. We have one boy that attends everyday except Fridays. He disrupts children's play continuously to get them to run around with him, jump on furniture etc. He breaks toys by banging them hard or standing on them until they break. We can't take our eyes off him for a second, which is exhausting and unfair to the other children. We have tried a million stratagies and nothing works. Don't believe for one second there are underlying issues, other than poor parenting. On Fridays, our setting is calm, peaceful and the children play cohesively.... such a difference.

 

Think I have been doing this job too long now, as I am feeling less tolerant of having to accept this behaviour!

[Upsy Daisy]

Don't believe for one second there are underlying issues, other than poor parenting. On Fridays, our setting is calm, peaceful and the children play cohesively.... such a difference.

 

 

Don’t you find that children adapt quite quickly to new boundaries and expectations, even if they are quite different from those they experience elsewhere?

 

What do you think the parents are doing that is preventing this from happening?

[Rafa]

Think I have been doing this job too long now, as I am feeling less tolerant of having to accept this behaviour!

 

Its probably not that you've been doing it too long Megamum, more likely it's becoming the last straw on top of all the other issues we now have to put up with/balance to do a job we once felt in control of! There are more than a few issues that need sorting out in Early Years to get 'the feel good factor' back!