Rule Guidance and Discipline Policies

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care • Child Care Licensing Division • www.oregon.gov/delc | Rule Guidance | PTA-0438

RULE GUIDANCE

Behavior, Guidance & Discipline Policies

GUIDANCE TOPIC

The program must have a written guidance and behavior policy. It must be simple and

understandable to the child, parent(s), caregivers and substitute caregivers. The written

guidance and discipline policy must be provided to all parents in paper or electronic form.

Although volunteers may be familiar with the guidance and discipline policy, volunteers cannot

provide guidance or discipline to a child. Only providers, staff and substitutes shall provide

guidance or discipline to child care children.

LICENSE TYPE AND RULE

Registered Family Child Care (RF)

OAR 414-205-0085 (1-7)

Certified Family Child Care (CF)

OAR 414-350-0240 (1-7)

Certified Child Care Center (CC)

OAR 414-305-0700

Certified School-age Center (SC)

OAR 414-310-0410(1-9)

WHY THESE RULES ARE IN PLACE

Guidance is most effective when it is consistent, reinforces desired behaviors and offers natural

and logical consequences for negative behaviors. Discipline is best received when it includes

positive guidance, redirection, and setting clear-cut limits that foster the child’s ability to develop

self-control. In order to respond effectively when children display challenging behavior, it is

beneficial for caregivers to understand a child’s typical social and emotional development. This is

an ongoing process to help children develop inner control so they can manage their own

behavior.

HOW THIS MAY LOOK IN YOUR PROGRAM

An early learning caregiver must work to maintain positive relationships with children by using

consistent guidance techniques and modeling prosocial behaviors and problem-solving

strategies.

Young children need caregivers to:

1. Establish a safe and trusted environment. Consistent routines are key.

2. Show children you care for them.

3. Validate children’s feelings, ideas, and words.

4. Be a positive role model. Remember that children watch & learn from everything you say

and do.

5. Set up the environment for success.

6. Offer acceptable choices.

7. Allow for natural consequences.

The written policy shall:

Guidance techniques may include:

Provide for positive

guidance, redirection, and the

setting of clear boundaries

• The learning environment is set up to encourage

positive behavior and minimize frustration, with

consistent routines and materials that can be

accessed and put away independently;

• Explaining consistent, clear rules and involving

children in defining simple, clear classroom

expectations;

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care • Child Care Licensing Division • www.oregon.gov/delc | Rule Guidance | PTA-0438

• Involving children in solving problems;

• Planning ahead to prevent problems and letting

children know what events will happen next;

• Focusing on preventing behavior problems by

supporting children in learning appropriate social

skills and emotional responses.

Be designed to help the

child develop self

‐

control, self

‐

esteem, and respect for others

• Using a calm and respectful tone of voice;

• Respecting each child’s individual needs, desires, and

feelings;

• Validating children's feelings and show tolerance for

mistakes;

• Being responsive to children's requests and questions;

• Encouraging children to share experiences, ideas,

and feelings;

• Modeling and teaching social skills such as taking

turns, cooperation, waiting, self-control, respect for

the rights of others, treating others kindly, problem-

solving and conflict resolution.

Guidance and discipline

shall be fair, consistently

applied, timely, and

appropriate to the behavior

and age of the child.

• Explaining to children the natural and logical

consequence related to the child's behavior in a

reasonable and developmentally appropriate

manner;

• Implementing child guidance techniques consistently

and appropriately, based on each child’s individual

needs and the specific situation;

• Offering acceptable choices;

• Distracting or helping a child change their focus.

Positive statements or

redirection of behaviors shall

be used.

• Using positive language to explain to children what

they can do and give descriptive feedback;

• Redirecting the child to another activity is the primary

technique used when inappropriate behavior occurs.

Often this is all a child needs to self-correct behavior;

Intervene appropriately to stop

biased behavior displayed by

children or adults.

• Redirecting an inappropriate conversation or behavior;

• Being aware of situations that may involve bias,

responding appropriately, taking action to prevent

future occurrences; and

• Refusing to ignore bias.

Policy Sample #1

The word discipline comes from the Latin word to teach. We will teach your child self-control,

respect for themselves and others, and responsibility for their actions. We do this by setting limits

that are fair, enforcing them firmly and lovingly, using redirection, and setting up the environment

to reduce conflict and frustration. Providing children with acceptable choices often helps them to

refocus on the situation in a positive way. When conflicts occur we help facilitate social problem-

solving giving young children the practice and skills they need to negotiate, verbalize their

feelings, and compromise as they learn to solve problems for themselves. Our day follows a

predictable pattern so children know what to expect, while we model teamwork and caring for

one another.

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care • Child Care Licensing Division • www.oregon.gov/delc | Rule Guidance | PTA-0438

Policy Sample #2

Positive child guidance techniques are used in order to assist children with learning self-control

and positive social skills. Conflict situations are handled with empathy and redirection. Strong

communication with parents is also a top priority.

A focus on prevention and positive guidance techniques will include:

• Modeling appropriate behavior for the children

• Listening to the children

• Giving acceptable choices whenever possible

• Encouraging the children and using descriptive praise

• Noticing when the children are making safe and/or appropriate choices

• Setting age-appropriate limits for the children

• Modifying the classroom environment to attempt to prevent problems before they occur

• Ignoring minor misbehaviors

• Practicing social situations through role playing common issues/scenarios

• Explaining things to the children at their level

• Providing children with natural and logical consequences for their behavior

• Planning for successful transitions

• Explaining expectations ahead of time

• Using short supervised periods of "time out," only when/if necessary

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

There are no exemptions for the use of corporal punishment in child care. Likewise,

parents cannot authorize or grant permission for the use of any type of prohibited

punishment in a licensed child care program in Oregon.

Research links corporal punishment with negative effects such as future criminal behavior

and impairment of learning. Child care policies should explicitly prohibit any form of corporal

punishment.

The caregiver shall not

accept parental

permission to use any

form of prohibited or

corporal punishment.

Child care policies should explicitly prohibit any form of

corporal punishment or child maltreatment including (but not

limited to):

• Hitting, slapping, shaking, striking with hand or

instrument, pinching, tying or binding, or inflicting any

other form of corporal punishment;

• Mental or emotional punishment including, but not

limited to, name calling, ridicule, yelling, or threats;

• Non‐prescription chemical restraints used for discipline

or to control behavior;

• Confining a child in an enclosed area, (e.g., a locked or

closed room, closet, box);

• Forcing or withholding meals, snacks, rest, or necessary

toilet use; or

• Belittling a child for or forcing a child to clean up after

toileting accidents.

Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care • Child Care Licensing Division • www.oregon.gov/delc | Rule Guidance | PTA-0438

CCLD LICENSING SPECIALIST WILL REVIEW

The LS will review the program’s behavior and guidance policy and how/when the policy is

shared with parents, caregivers, staff and substitutes.

OPTIONAL RESOURCES

Caring for our Children: https://nrckids.org/CFOC

Conscious Discipline: https://consciousdiscipline.com/

Oregon Administrative Rules, Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care Chapter 414, Divisions

205 Registered Family Child Care Homes, 305 Certified Centers, 310 Certified School-age Centers

and

350 Certified Family Child Care Homes.

You are entitled to language assistance services and other accommodations at no cost. If you need help

in your language or other accommodations, please contact the Child Care Licensing Division at 503-

947-1400.

Original Issue Date: Nov 2021

Updated: Feb. 2024