Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024
16.1 A licensee shall ensure that staff members use prevention strategies, appropriate redirection rather than restraint, and positive developmentally-appropriate methods of behavior guidance of children, which encourage self-control, self-direction, positive self-esteem, social responsibility, and cooperation.
16.1.1 Staff shall give directions and guidance in a clear, non-threatening manner.
16.1.2 Staff members shall:
16.1.2.1 Intervene quickly to ensure the safety of children and others;
16.1.2.2 Redirect children by suggesting other acceptable behaviors; and
16.1.2.3 Escort the child to a different setting when necessary and speak so children understand their feelings are important and acceptable, but their disruptive behavior is not.
16.2 A licensee shall ensure staff members teach by example by always being respectful and using appropriate language when speaking to children and others such as other staff and families while at the camp.
16.3 A licensee shall ensure that if staff members use "time-out", it is used only as necessary to help the child gain control of behavior and feelings. It must be used as a supplement to, not a substitute for, other developmentally-appropriate methods of behavior guidance.
16.3.1 "Time-out" must be limited to brief periods of no more than one minute for each year of a child's age.
16.3.2 Before using "time-out", the staff member shall discuss the reason for the "time-out" in language appropriate to the child's level of development and understanding.
16.3.3 A staff member must supervise a child removed from the group or room during a "time-out."
16.3.4 Before rejoining the group or at another time, a staff member must talk to the child in ways that encourages the child to make better decisions in the future.
16.4 A licensee shall ensure the following actions are prohibited:
16.4.1 Roughly handling a child or physical punishment inflicted on a child's body, including, but not limited to the following: shaking, grabbing, striking, hair-pulling, biting, pinching, plucking, slapping, hitting, kicking, or spanking;
16.4.2 Yelling at, humiliating, or frightening children;
16.4.3 Physically or sexually abusing a child;
16.4.4 Making negative comments about a child's looks, ability, ethnicity, family, or other personal traits;
16.4.5 Denying children food, water, or toilet use because of inappropriate behavior;
16.4.6 Tying, taping, chaining, caging, or restraining a child by a means other than holding. The child may be held only as long as necessary for the child to regain control;
16.4.6.1 If the child or others are in imminent danger or a risk to themselves or others, physical holding for as brief as possible to remedy the risk or removing the child to a safer location is permissible. Supervision is required.
16.4.6.2 In the event physical holding is used, documentation must occur by the staff.
16.4.7 Punishing children for a toileting accident, or for failing to fall asleep, eat food, or complete an activity;
16.4.8 Withholding physical activity as punishment; or
16.4.9 Encouraging or allowing children to hit, punish, or discipline each other.
