Section: Student Affairs
Policy Title: Child Discipline
Effective Date: May 24, 2005
Last Revision Date: N/A
Approved: May 24, 2005

Purpose
To establish guidelines for proper discipline of children and put measures in place that protects staff and students through training and adequate supervision.

Scope
Staff, faculty and others associated with the College who are teaching, tutoring, supervising, or caring for children on Marygrove campus. This policy applies also to parents or legal guardians who are serving in an on campus setting with their own children.

Statement on Discipline
Marygrove has a zero tolerance for inappropriate discipline of children. The College holds accountable each individual within the community to uphold appropriate standards of conduct with children.

Actions to be taken in discipline cases:

• Child Care providers must abide by the following 1. Restate the rules to the child 2. Remind the child of the consequences for the inappropriate behavior, 3. Give the child a time out or take away a privilege, 4. Contact a third party adult for intervention and contact the parent or legal guardian. These steps should be followed in order but the response of the provider should cease when the behavior has been controlled.

Child care providers may not:

• Use corporal punishment to discipline a child. This includes any response that humiliates, frightens or threatens the child.
• Shout or exhibit angry behavior.
• Hit, slap, push or grab a child.
• Lose control of temper or the situation.
• Place a child in time out longer than 10-15 minutes unless the child exhibits threatening behavior to him or herself or others. In this instance, a parent or legal guardian must be contacted immediately to retrieve the child.

Child care providers are expected to:

• Child care providers are to use the least amount of action to teach the child appropriate behaviors while ensuring a safe environment for the child and others.
• Establish clear, simple rules for behavior and make children, employees, parents and legal guardians aware of these rules.
• Remain in view of the child if they are to be isolated (given a time out)
• Be consistent in enforcing rules.
• Maintain self control and control of the conduct of the children for safety purposes.
• Follow a three person practice whenever possible. In group environments, children should be disciplined in the presence of at least one other adult. In tutoring environments, a third party must be sought when a child does not respond to direct and clear requests for behavior modification. In this instance, the parent or legal guardian must be contacted.
• Abide by a consistent procedure for handling discipline situations

 Staff Training:
All employees who are in positions which require them to teach, tutor, train, supervise or care for children will be required to attend a workshop related to proper discipline and implementation of this policy. Each will receive a copy of this policy and will sign a statement attesting to the familiarity with said contents.

Documentation Procedures:
Child Offense: Staff must document repeat or harmful behaviors. A copy of this documentation must be provided to the parent and the program supervisor. A conversation with the parent or legal guardian must accompany the documentation/

Child Care Provider Offense: Students or personnel who observe or, are informed of inappropriate discipline of children are required to document the information in writing and present it immediately to his or her supervisor. Students should provide documentation to the appropriate supervisor of the department in question.

Reporting procedures:
Any Marygrove worker or volunteer who disciplines a child must inform their supervisor that the disciplinary action has taken place. A parent or legal guardian must be notified of this action within a reasonable time frame. Actions involving a removal of privileges or behavior on the part of the child that warrants consideration of removal of a program must be placed in writing and the parent or legal guardian being contacted immediately.

Any complaint involving inappropriate disciplinary action taken by a worker will be referred to the appropriate supervisor who has responsibility for documentation and resolution of department complaints. The supervisor will consult with the Judicial Affairs Officer in Students Affairs or the Human Resources Director depending upon the nature of the complaint. The Human Resources Director will be involved in employee cases. Student cases will be referred to the Judicial Affairs Officer. Non-student or employee cases will be referred to Campus Safety.

Complaints
Anyone on campus can file a complaint for use of inappropriate discipline on behalf of a child. The immediate supervisor will insure that a complaint form is completed and signed, will fully investigate the situation, and act accordingly.

Background Checks
All staff of Marygrove College who work with children will complete a criminal background check. Any unsatisfactory background check will result in immediate termination.

Adequate Supervision
Appropriate supervision of all other children’s activities sponsored by the College will be delineated to ensure the safety of each child.

Confidentiality
The appropriate supervisor with responsibility for employees who work with children will advocate with care and consideration for both parent and child, seeing that all matters are handled with professionalism and confidentiality.