Nursery World - Professionals can educate parents

As a tutor of childminders, may I point out that professional childminders and nursery nurses do not smack children, or hurt or humiliate them in any way (News, 10 October). Rather, we choose more positive methods of dealing with their challenging behaviour, such as showing a good example, being consistent and fair, and having reasonable ground rules for behaviour. Children often behave better in our settings than within their own home.

Children often behave better in our settings than within their own home.

Our methods of dealing with unwanted behaviour often have better results than their parents' attempts, smacking or not, because children appreciate consistency and fairness. As professional practitioners we are able to distance ourselves from the emotion of the situation and so deal with it better. Also, we resume affectionate relationships much quicker because it is the professional thing to do, and we do not lose our tempers.

Children respond well to this, as we do not lay blame. Parents appreciate our work but cannot replicate it sufficiently because their emotions get in the way.

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