The Department of Health and Social Services set up guidelines for fair and proper behavior management (WAC 388-150-130). Their requirements are:

1) Young Child Academy, based on an understanding of child development, shall guide the children's behavior, emphasizing self-control and respect for the other people in the classroom.

2) Young Child Academy shall insist behavior management and discipline practices are fair, consistent and reasonable and relevant to the child's behavior. Young Child Academy shall never utilize cruel, dangerous, frightening or humiliating punishment.

3) Young Child Academy shall be responsible for implementing the behavior management program for the Center.

4) Young Child Academy shall prohibit corporal punishment by any person on the school premises. Teachers, staff and parents are not allowed to bite, hit, spank, shake, slap kick, or cause physical pain of any kind. Such behavior by Young Child Academy staff is cause for dismissal. Such behavior by parents or guardians is cause for removal from the program.

5) Young Child Academy shall never withhold food as punishment.

6) Young Child Academy shall resist the use of physical restraint except when: It is necessary to protect a person from physical injury, obtain a dangerous item or weapon, or protect property from extreme damage. Physical restraint shall only be implemented by staff competent to use it.