Return to Articles

8.01.2024

Nevada's Policy on Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood Settings: A Summary for Parents

Interior of a classroom with a pink backpack on the back of the school desk chair.

Nevada has a policy to handle the expulsion and suspension of young children in early childhood programs, from birth to kindergarten. This policy helps families and early childhood programs create environments that support kids' social and emotional growth while minimizing suspensions and expulsions. This article provides a summary of the state policy for parents and families.

What is “Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood Settings”?

Expulsion
This means a child is permanently removed from their early childhood program (such as a child care or daycare program) or preschool. They are not allowed to come back to that program because of their “behavior.”

Suspension
This means a child is temporarily not allowed to attend their early childhood program or preschool. They might be asked to stay home for a certain number of days because of their “behavior.”

In both cases, the child misses out on learning and being with their friends, which can make it harder for them to succeed in the future.

Exclusionary discipline practices, like expulsion and suspension, are adult behaviors that occur in response to children’s consistent, persistent, and/or intense challenging behavior. These adult behaviors do not teach children the needed social and communication skills to be successful and they prevent children from accessing educational opportunities.

Parents and families may use the information in this policy to work with their early childhood program to help provide the support and resources needed to prevent expulsion and suspension during this critical period of child development.

Goals of the Policy

  1. Prevent Expulsion and Suspension: The main goal is to stop young kids from being expelled or suspended from early childhood programs. These practices are seen as harmful and not effective in teaching good behavior.
  2. Encourage Positive Discipline: The policy promotes using positive discipline practices that support kids' development and learning. This means teaching social skills and communication instead of punishing bad behavior.

Key Principles

  1. Inclusive Practices: All kids should be included in early childhood programs, no matter their behavior challenges. Programs should use strategies that support all kids' participation and success.
  2. Support for Families: Families are key partners in promoting good behavior. The policy highlights the importance of working with parents to understand and address their children's needs.
  3. Training for Educators: Early childhood teachers get training and resources to use effective behavior management strategies, helping them create supportive and inclusive classrooms.

Strategies for Implementation

  1. Early Identification and Support: Programs should identify kids who may need extra help early on and provide the right interventions. This can prevent behaviors that might lead to suspension or expulsion.
  2. Collaboration with Specialists: Programs should work with mental health consultants, behavior specialists, and other professionals to support kids with challenging behaviors.
  3. Data Collection and Monitoring: Programs should collect data on suspension and expulsion practices to track their use and effectiveness. This helps find areas for improvement and ensures that exclusionary practices are minimized.

Benefits of the Policy

What Parents Can Do

Nevada’s policy on expulsion and suspension in early childhood settings aims to create supportive, inclusive, and effective learning environments for all children. By focusing on positive discipline and early intervention, the policy seeks to reduce suspensions and expulsions and promote better outcomes for young children and their families.

Resources for Parents:

Link to the full “State of Nevada Policy Statement on Expulsion and Suspension in Early Childhood Settings” on the Nevada Early Childhood Advisory Council website.

YouTube video presentation on the “State of Nevada’s Policy Statement on Expulsion & Suspension in Early Childhood Settings”, presented by the Nevada Pyramid Model Partnership.

To find supports and services for your child, visit the “Special Needs and Early Intervention” services page on First 5 Nevada to learn about programs and services and see what you qualify for.




Related News

2025 Family Engagement Summit flyer- September 13th, 2025 Event is Free.
2025 Statewide Family Engagement Summits
Read More

Join the Nevada Department of Education for a FREE event to support your family and children! This event will include engaging workshops, a resource fair, and a live panel of speakers focused on the topics of mental health, school safety, and academic success strategies.

Smiling toddler girl, wearing white long sleeve shirt, hold up her hand ready for a high five from the adult figure to her right. In a comfy home setting.
Building Brighter Futures in Eureka County: A Conversation with Juvenile Probation Leaders
Read More

In the quiet expanse of rural Nevada, Eureka County’s Juvenile Probation Department is doing more than supervising youth—they’re nurturing futures. Through a robust network of prevention programs and community outreach, they are redefining what juvenile probation can mean for families, especially those with young children.

Women sitting at a little table in a preschool classroom setting with 4 little kids, all watching her showing them something with the colorful blocks on the table.
Let’s Talk about Early Childhood Educators in Nevada
Read More

When you drop your child off with their teachers before heading to work, how do you think of their role in your child’s life? Do the words educator or expert caregiver come to mind? Let’s consider the role Early Childhood Educators play in our children’s development.