CODE OF CONDUCT
CODE OF CONDUCT
At Magical Memories Learning Centre Inc, we strive to provide a safe, caring, learning environment for children, staff and families. We believe in the equality and respect diversity.
The following people are expected to behave in a respectful manner and comply with this code of conduct:
- management and staff members
- children
CODE OF CONDUCT
At Magical Memories Learning Centre Inc, we strive to provide a safe, caring, learning environment for children, staff and families. We believe in the equality and respect diversity.
The following people are expected to behave in a respectful manner and comply with this code of conduct:
- management and staff members
- children
- parents/guardians of children enrolled
- all others involved with our centre
Guiding Principles for Appropriate Behaviour
Be Respectful
We are respectful of ourselves and other people. We are respectful of the ideas and feelings of others. We are respectful of the environment, equipment and materials.
Be Safe
We work and play safely to help keep ourselves and others from getting hurt.
Be Cooperative
We solve our problems by talking and listening to each other respectfully to find a solution. When we cannot solve a problem ourselves, we ask for help.
Be Supportive of Learning
We learn to the best of our abilities and support the learning of others.
Developmental Capabilities of Children
We understand that it is normal for children to display inappropriate behaviour at times for a variety of reasons. The developmental capabilities of each child will always be considered when determining both expectations for behaviour and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
Appropriate Use of Technology
All children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre must use e-mail, electronic devices and the Internet according to the following policies.
Information about children, parents, staff and MMLC (including photos and video) are not to be posted on:
With respect to people’s privacy you cannot post anything negative, abusive or questionable this also includes pictures of the children on the internet this includes “facebook” or any other social site like Facebook
To respect the children's safety no pictures of the children at the centre will be put on the internet, this includes facebook and all other such sites.
A staff members personal websites
Or any other type of internet website
Public networking or file sharing sites such as photobucket, flickr, you tube, etc
This protects people’s privacy and the confidentiality of information.
Children, staff and others using MMLC’s computers and electronic devises must:
o Respect and protect the privacy of others
o Respect and protect the integrity of all electronic devises
o Respect and protect the intellectual property(the ideas, creation, copyrights) of others
o Communicate in a respectful manner
o Report threatening or inappropriate material
Inappropriate includes:
· Intentionally accessing, transmitting, copying, or creating material that:
· Violates the confidentiality of the children, staff, parents or the centre
· Violates MMLC’s code of conduct ( such as messages that are pornographic, threatening, rude, discriminatory, or meant to harass)
· Use the technological resources for personal use without MMLC’s permission
Supervision and monitoring
Authorized employees of MMLC ( director, assistant director and program supervisor) have the right to monitor the use of information technology resources and to examine, use and disclose any data found. The Centre may use the information in disciplinary actions and release to the police if it is criminal in nature
MMLC’s staff use of Cell phones and other personal electronic devices
Staff do not use cell phones and other personal electronic devices when they care for and supervise children.
cell phones, iPhone etc. are to be kept in the staff room in your locker, your responsibility is to the children and their safety and if you are on your phone then you cannot be fully present with the children. If you are expecting an emergency call then you can leave your phone with whomever is working in the office and you will be notified if it goes off.
If staff takes a personal cell phone for the safety purposes on outings with children, it is only used for emergency contact with MMLC or the child’s parents’ and MMLC) the data is downloaded onto the MMLC’s computer and deleted from their phone or devise.
If a staff uses a personal cell phone or other devise to photograph or video tape children (with permission of the parent) it must be downloaded on to the centres ipad or computer and deleted from the staff persons phone immediately
Staff of MMLC do not accept children as “friends” or “Buddies” when using social networking sites such as Facebook .
Unacceptable Behaviours
The following behaviours by children, staff, parents and others involved in our centre are unacceptable:
- all forms of bullying (physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber bullying), including comments, actions or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful and repetitive
- harassment, including behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone that a reasonable person would know is unwelcome
- all forms of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological), including verbally, in writing , on the internet(facebook)
- discrimination against any person or group because of their race, colour, ancestry, nationality or place of origin, ethnic background, religion, age, sex, gender-determined characteristics, sexual orientation, marital and family status, source of income, political belief and physical or mental disability
- actions that put another person at risk of harm, including violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone in person, written threats or cyber threats.
Proactive Strategies
We actively strive to create an environment that supports the health, safety and well-being of the children by:
- having realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour
- setting up the environment and materials to encourage appropriate behaviour and reduce potential for inappropriate behaviour
- planning a program based on children’s interests and developmental needs
- establishing consistent yet flexible schedules and routines that help children gain trust, security and self control
We create a positive environment for children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:
- developing positive relationships, including making time to talk and listen
- establishing clear, consistent, simple limits
- stating limits in a positive way and periodically reminding people
- providing explanations for limits
- working together to solve problems
- modelling and encouraging appropriate behaviour
Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour
We will consistently respond to inappropriate behaviour by children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:
- reminding people of expectations and limits
- using a respectful approach to explain why a behaviour is inappropriate and what behaviour is expected
- talking only about the behaviour, not labelling the person
- responding sympathetically and acknowledging feelings
- establishing natural, logical consequences
Depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, we will consider further steps such as:
- using behavioural analysis to learn what may be contributing to a child’s inappropriate behaviour and how to help reduce or eliminate the behaviour
- having a formal or informal meeting to discuss concerns and to develop an action plan to encourage appropriate behaviour in the future
- developing a written contract with an adult or older child that outlines specific expectations and consequences
- giving a written warning that outlines specific concerns and consequences if the behaviour continues
- accessing outside resources for help, such as:
> a behaviour specialist or other professionals to help staff understand and reduce a child’s inappropriate behaviour
> child and family services to access parenting supports
> mediation services to resolve conflicts between adults
> the Manitoba Human Rights Commission for information and advice to resolve an issue informally or to make a formal complaint if the behaviour involves discrimination or harassment
> the police to assist with threatening behaviour
In extreme cases, we will take additional steps :
- suspending or dismissing the staff member
- suspending or withdrawing child care services because of a child’s or family member’s inappropriate behaviour
- in the case of a visitor not allowing the person to return to the centre
- contacting the police and/or child and family services (CFS), if the behaviour is illegal such as abuse, assault or threatening another person
-depending on the individual case any or all of these guidelines may be implemented in any order.
-if a person comes into the centre and is inappropriate with a staff that person will be asked to leave and their child may be withdrawn.
- parents/guardians of children enrolled
- all others involved with our centre
Guiding Principles for Appropriate Behaviour
Be Respectful
We are respectful of ourselves and other people. We are respectful of the ideas and feelings of others. We are respectful of the environment, equipment and materials.
Be Safe
We work and play safely to help keep ourselves and others from getting hurt.
Be Cooperative
We solve our problems by talking and listening to each other respectfully to find a solution. When we cannot solve a problem ourselves, we ask for help.
Be Supportive of Learning
We learn to the best of our abilities and support the learning of others.
Developmental Capabilities of Children
We understand that it is normal for children to display inappropriate behaviour at times for a variety of reasons. The developmental capabilities of each child will always be considered when determining both expectations for behaviour and consequences of inappropriate behaviour.
Appropriate Use of Technology
All children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre must use e-mail, electronic devices and the Internet according to the following policies.
Information about children, parents, staff and MMLC (including photos and video) are not to be posted on:
- With respect to people’s privacy you cannot post anything negative, abusive or questionable this also includes pictures of the children on the internet this includes “facebook” or any other social site like Facebook
- To respect the children's safety no pictures of the children at the centre will be put on the internet, this includes facebook and all other such sites.
- A staff members personal websites
- Or any other type of internet website
- Public networking or file sharing sites such as photobucket, flickr, you tube, etc
This protects people’s privacy and the confidentiality of information.
Children, staff and others using MMLC’s computers and electronic devises must:
- Respect and protect the privacy of others
- Respect and protect the integrity of all electronic devises
- Respect and protect the intellectual property(the ideas, creation, copyrights) of others
- Communicate in a respectful manner
- Report threatening or inappropriate material
Inappropriate includes:
- Intentionally accessing, transmitting, copying, or creating material that:
- Violates the confidentiality of the children, staff, parents or the centre
- Violates MMLC’s code of conduct ( such as messages that are pornographic, threatening, rude, discriminatory, or meant to harass)
- Use the technological resources for personal use without MMLC’s permission
Supervision and monitoring
Authorized employees of MMLC ( director, assistant director and program supervisor) have the right to monitor the use of information technology resources and to examine, use and disclose any data found. The Centre may use the information in disciplinary actions and release to the police if it is criminal in nature
MMLC’s staff use of Cell phones and other personal electronic devices
- Staff do not use cell phones and other personal electronic devices when they care for and supervise children.
- cell phones, iPhone etc. are to be kept in the staff room in your locker, your responsibility is to the children and their safety and if you are on your phone then you cannot be fully present with the children. If you are expecting an emergency call then you can leave your phone with whomever is working in the office and you will be notified if it goes off.
- If staff takes a personal cell phone for the safety purposes on outings with children, it is only used for emergency contact with MMLC or the child’s parents’ and MMLC) the data is downloaded onto the MMLC’s computer and deleted from their phone or devise.
- If a staff uses a personal cell phone or other devise to photograph or video tape children (with permission of the parent) it must be downloaded on to the centres ipad or computer and deleted from the staff persons phone immediately
Staff of MMLC do not accept children as “friends” or “Buddies” when using social networking sites such as Facebook .
Unacceptable Behaviours
The following behaviours by children, staff, parents and others involved in our centre are unacceptable:
- all forms of bullying (physical, verbal, emotional, social or cyber bullying), including comments, actions or visual displays that are intentional, hurtful and repetitive
- harassment, including behaviour that degrades, demeans, humiliates or embarrasses someone that a reasonable person would know is unwelcome
- all forms of abuse (sexual, physical or psychological), including verbally, in writing , on the internet(facebook)
- discrimination against any person or group because of their race, colour, ancestry, nationality or place of origin, ethnic background, religion, age, sex, gender-determined characteristics, sexual orientation, marital and family status, source of income, political belief and physical or mental disability
- actions that put another person at risk of harm, including violent physical acts (with or without a weapon) and threatening someone in person, written threats or cyber threats.
Proactive Strategies
We actively strive to create an environment that supports the health, safety and well-being of the children by:
- having realistic and developmentally appropriate expectations for behaviour
- setting up the environment and materials to encourage appropriate behaviour and reduce potential for inappropriate behaviour
- planning a program based on children’s interests and developmental needs
- establishing consistent yet flexible schedules and routines that help children gain trust, security and self control
We create a positive environment for children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:
- developing positive relationships, including making time to talk and listen
- establishing clear, consistent, simple limits
- stating limits in a positive way and periodically reminding people
- providing explanations for limits
- working together to solve problems
- modelling and encouraging appropriate behaviour
Consequences for Inappropriate Behaviour
We will consistently respond to inappropriate behaviour by children, parents, staff and others involved in our centre by:
- reminding people of expectations and limits
- using a respectful approach to explain why a behaviour is inappropriate and what behaviour is expected
- talking only about the behaviour, not labelling the person
- responding sympathetically and acknowledging feelings
- establishing natural, logical consequences
Depending on the severity and frequency of the behaviour, we will consider further steps such as:
- using behavioural analysis to learn what may be contributing to a child’s inappropriate behaviour and how to help reduce or eliminate the behaviour
- having a formal or informal meeting to discuss concerns and to develop an action plan to encourage appropriate behaviour in the future
- developing a written contract with an adult or older child that outlines specific expectations and consequences
- giving a written warning that outlines specific concerns and consequences if the behaviour continues
- accessing outside resources for help, such as:
> a behaviour specialist or other professionals to help staff understand and reduce a child’s inappropriate behaviour
> child and family services to access parenting supports
> mediation services to resolve conflicts between adults
> the Manitoba Human Rights Commission for information and advice to resolve an issue informally or to make a formal complaint if the behaviour involves discrimination or harassment
> the police to assist with threatening behaviour
In extreme cases, we will take additional steps :
- suspending or dismissing the staff member
- suspending or withdrawing child care services because of a child’s or family member’s inappropriate behaviour
- in the case of a visitor not allowing the person to return to the centre
- contacting the police and/or child and family services (CFS), if the behaviour is illegal such as abuse, assault or threatening another person
-depending on the individual case any or all of these guidelines may be implemented in any order.
-if a person comes into the centre and is inappropriate with a staff that person will be asked to leave and their child may be withdrawn.