A Child's Place maintains written policies that guide our approach to major issues
and provide a common understanding of many practical and safety related
issues. Our policies reflect current state and federal regulations as well as best
practices in early childhood educaiton. We suggest that all parents become familiar with our policies
and we encourage you to contact your child's head teacher or the Executive
Director if you have any questions. Our programs and policies reflect the
contributions of all involved and are updated regularly to reflect parent
feedback as well as changes in state and federal regulations and best
professional practices.
BITING
While recognizing that biting is typical behavior in a toddler and a common occurrence within an early childhood center, A Child’s Place has established the following list of procedures to be followed when biting occurs.
A. Biting in an Infant and/or Toddler Setting
- The child who bites is told, “No, biting hurts!” in a firm but gentle voice. The teacher then administers care to the child who has been bitten. The child who bit may be asked to help and shown “gentle touch”. Ice or a cold pack is administered. If the skin is broken, the wound is washed with soap and water and a bandaid is applied.
- The parents of the child who was bitten are called and informed. The parents of the child who bit are also notified; this notification may be in written form on the daily sheet.
- If a child bites repeatedly, staff will begin other procedures.
a. A log will be kept, documenting time, activity occurring, child bitten, and body part bitten
b. Both sets of parents will be notified immediately.
c. Staff will establish “shadowing” of the child who is biting.
d. Staff will divide group in smaller sub-groups to decrease noise and activity levels.
e. Additional staff will be in the room during high activity times and/or child who is biting will be taken out of the room during those times.
f. Parents will be given copies of the biting policy as well as resources concerning toddler biting in general and within the group setting.
g. Parents of the child who is biting will be asked to meet with the director and staff to discuss possible strategies as well as share any information which might be pertinent.
h. If biting persists for more than a month or increases dramatically, an outside consultant will be contacted to support the center staff, the child who is biting, the parents of this child, and, if necessary, the parents of other children within the group.
i. If it becomes the consensus of the director, staff, and consultant that the biting is a symptom of a more serious situation, the child and family will be referred to professionals more able to offer the help and support needed.
j. After one month, if the above procedures still do not resolve the biting the child may be asked to leave the program.
B. Biting in the Preschool Programs
- First aid is administered to the bite. The director will be notified; as biting is not considered a typical response from this age group, the director will view such incidents with deserved gravity.
- Both sets of parents will be notified.
- Within the classroom, the teacher will use the guidelines of “Positive Guidance” to determine how the incident evolved and then engage the children in the solution. The children involved in the incident are asked to tell the teacher “What happened?” and each explanation will be heard.
- The solution may be providing a child with the language needed to express himself/herself as well as establishing a clear understanding of the boundaries of physical and emotional safety that need to be observed. Apologies are not forced, but the teacher will be confident that the severity of the situation is understood.
- If the child should bite a second time, the parents of that child will be asked to meet with the director and staff to discuss possible strategies as well as share any information which might be pertinent.
- If biting occurs a third time or if the severity of the any bite includes bruising and open wounds, the parents will be asked to withdraw their child from the program.