Show respect to other people and our surroundings

Include and welcome all

Engage in activities, have fun, and try new things at the club

Make other people happy by using kind words and actions

Listen to all instructions from grown-ups first time

Stay safe at all times on the walk and at the club

At Smiles of Quorn, we want children to feel safe, happy, and excited to come through the door. Play can be full of energy and big emotions, and that’s all part of the fun. Our role is to guide children with calm, consistent support so that everyone can enjoy themselves and feel included.

Our focus is always on celebrating children’s achievements, encouraging kindness, and building a warm, positive atmosphere.

The children have created their own set of rules, which we call the Smiles Code. It’s about keeping play fun, safe and respectful:

We believe children thrive when their positive choices are noticed and celebrated. Our staff praise kindness, helpfulness and moments of fun teamwork every day, and we also have reward systems to make these moments feel extra special. In Holiday Club, children can be nominated throughout the day for positive behaviour, and at the end of each session two children are chosen as Star of the Day. They receive a certificate, a small treat and their name goes up on the Wall of Fame for everyone to see. In Wraparound Club, children collect Golden Points on Class Dojo whenever they are seen following the Smiles Code. Over the half term these points build up, and those with the most are recognised as Star of the Term with a certificate and a small prize. Both systems help children feel proud of themselves while encouraging everyone to keep making kind and respectful choices.

Of course, there are times when children need a little extra support. We use a simple three-step system to keep things clear and fair while keeping parents informed. The first step is a chance: a calm reminder and explanation of what behaviour is expected, giving the child an opportunity to make a positive choice. If the behaviour continues, we move to a yellow card, which means five minutes of quiet reflection in the calm corner or with a gentle activity such as colouring. Afterwards, staff have a short restorative chat with the child about what happened and how to move forward. At Wraparound, one Golden Point is also deducted at this stage. If the behaviour still continues, or if it is more serious, a red card is given. This means the child steps away from the activity for a while and is supported to think about their choices. Parents are spoken to at pick-up, and at Wraparound two Golden Points are deducted.

What makes our approach different is that it isn’t about punishment. It’s about reflection, understanding and helping children rebuild relationships. Staff use restorative questions such as “What happened?”, “How were you feeling at the time?”, “How do you think others felt?”, “What could you do differently next time?” and “How can we put things right?”. These short, supportive conversations help children to see the impact of their actions, restore friendships and return to play feeling positive.

Every child is unique, and sometimes more support is needed. If challenges continue, we’ll always talk with parents to agree strategies that suit their child. By working together, we can make sure the club stays a safe, fun and welcoming space for everyone.

At Smiles behaviour management is about encouragement, reflection and kindness. We focus on celebrating children’s achievements and creating a caring atmosphere where everyone can feel proud of themselves and enjoy their time at the club.