Heavitree Community Pre-school
Biting Policy





Biting can be common practice with young children especially two year olds and as practitioners we understand that there are a number of factors that can cause biting from teething pain to frustration.  Staff at Heavitree Community pre-school take a uniformed approach when dealing with Biting.
    
A record of all biting incidents will be recorded on an incident form, signed by the staff member who witnessed the incident and the parent/carer. 


A record of the biting incident will also be recorded on an accident form, for the child who has been bitten.  This will be signed by the staff member who witnessed the incident.  Where possible confidentiality will be maintained at all times.


We will intervene as soon as possible to stop the child harming the other children.


We explain to the child that they must not bite.  We use language that is developmentally age appropriate.  


We give attention and comfort to the child who has been bitten before helping the child who has bitten, to show they are sorry for his/her actions, as appropriate.


If a child shows an on-going pattern of biting we develop specific strategies, techniques and timelines to address this and discuss these strategies with the parent/carer.


We do not label children who have bitten, but address the behavior that they have used.


When children have been bitten, we share what has happened with their parents, explaining that the incident has been dealt with appropriately, with the child and his/her parents.  


An antiseptic wipe will be used on the area that the child has been bitten, should the skin be broken.