Biting

Requirement:

EYFS 2024 > Safeguarding training > 3.24

EYFS 2024 > Training and skills > 3.26

EYFS 2024 > Accident or injury > 3.62

EYFS 2024 > Risk assessment > 3.76

EYFS 2024 > Information and records > 3.77

Biting can be an uncomfortable subject for parents of both the biter and the child who is bitten. This policy will explain how we deal with biting within the nursery. Please do discuss any concerns you may have regarding this issue with a member of staff. If your child has a tendency to bite, we would prefer to know in advance.

Children bite for a variety of reasons. This may be because they are teething; frustrated; exploring using their mouth; asserting their independence and wanting to gain control, maybe of a toy, or they could be stressed.  It may also be because they want to gain attention.

Procedure (how we put the policy into practice)

Our nursery uses the following strategies to help prevent biting:

• Individual one to one and small group times so that each child is receiving positive attention

• Quiet and cosy areas for children who are feeling overwhelmed to go to

• Stories, puppets and discussion about emotions and feelings, including activities and stories that help support children to recognise feelings and empathise with characters and events

• Additional resources for children who have oral stimulation needs, such as teething rings or chew necklaces

• Vigilant staff that know the children well and are able to identify when children need more stimulation or quiet times

• Adequate resources are provided and, where possible, more than one resource or toy is provided to minimise conflict.

Every child is treated as an individual and we work with families to support all children’s individual needs. With this in mind, it will be necessary to implement different strategies depending on the needs of the child carrying out the biting.

In the event of a child being bitten, the most relevant staff member(s) will:

• Comfort any child who has been bitten and check for any visible injury. Administer any paediatric first aid where necessary and complete an accident form once the child is settled again. If deemed appropriate the parents will be informed via telephone. Staff will continue to observe the bitten area for signs of infection. For confidentiality purposes and possible conflict, we do not disclose to the parents the name of the child who has caused the bite.
• Tell the child who has caused the bite in terms that they understand that biting (the behaviour and not the child) is unkind and show the child that it makes staff and the child who has been bitten sad

• Ask the child what they can do to make the ‘child who has been bitten’ feel better (this could be fetching them a toy or sharing toys with them, a rub on the back etc.)

• Complete an incident form to share with the parents at the end of the child’s session

• If a child continues to bite, carry out observations to try to distinguish a cause, e.g. tiredness or frustration

• Arrange for a meeting with the child’s parents to develop strategies to prevent the ongoing biting behaviour. Parents will be reassured that it is part of a child’s development and not made to feel that it is their fault

• In the event of a bite breaking the skin and to reduce the risk of infection from bacteria, give prompt treatment to both the child who has bitten and the child who has been bitten

• If a child or member of staff sustains a bite wound where the skin has been severely broken, arrange for urgent medical attention after initial first aid has been carried out.

In cases where a child may repeatedly bite and/or if they have a particular special educational need/additional learning need or disability that lends itself to increased biting, for example, in some cases of autism where a child doesn’t have the communication skills, the nursery manager will carry out a risk assessment and may recommend immunisation with hepatitis B vaccine for all staff and children.

Many children go through a stage of biting. Please don’t be alarmed, it doesn’t last forever!

Review date: 31 December 2025