Every child deserves individualized, responsive care in an environment that meets their unique needs. That is why, from Relief Nursery’s beginning, our practice has been unwavering: We never expel or suspend children.
Sadly, expulsion and suspension in early childhood remain widespread. Across the country, more and more young children are being dismissed from programs for behaviors that are difficult to manage. Research is unequivocal: Expulsion is harmful. It disrupts learning during the most critical years of development, damages children’s self-esteem, increases parental and family stress, and sends a devastating message: You do not belong here.
Relief Nursery is fundamentally designed to alleviate parental stress and support children’s social and emotional development. Expulsion practices directly undermine these goals.
For families already experiencing high levels of stress—whether due to poverty, housing instability, trauma, or mental health challenges—expulsion only adds to the burden and fears about their child’s future. When a child is asked to leave a program, it often forces parents to miss work, scramble for new care, or face impossible choices about how to keep their child safe. It can deepen feelings of shame, isolation, and failure—especially when families are already doing everything they can to hold things together.
Children with challenging behaviors are often carrying the weight of trauma, instability or developmental delays—circumstances beyond their control. Turning them away is not an option. When we choose to invest in these children, we plant seeds of resilience and possibility that can transform generations. Thanks to your generosity, and Relief Nursery’s innovative and responsive program design, we have the flexibility to support children and families through intense circumstances and direct resources where they are needed most. That means:
- Intentionally small classroom and respite group sizes, high staff support and carefully designed environments that set children up for success.
- Highly trained teachers who see behavior as communication and seek to understand the underlying needs of a child who is disruptive or aggressive and who respond with skill, compassion and therapeutic strategies.
- A full team of child development specialists, mental health therapists and skills trainers, and parenting coaches who provide wraparound support for both children and families.
- Individualized care—family service and treatment plans that allow for the level of support each individual child needs in order to build the skills needed to be successful in a school environment.
- Comprehensive family support, including home visiting, parenting classes, Substance Use Disorder recovery peer support, events to promote connection among the families, and basic needs support including clothing, diapers and supplemental food pantry.
Children with challenging behaviors are often carrying the weight of trauma, instability or developmental delays—circumstances beyond their control. Turning them away is not an option.
Ten years ago, in response to the increasing number of children being excluded from other programs, we created a specialized Social Emotional Classroom staffed by mental health professionals and a child development specialist, and supported by intensive family services. This classroom is proof that with the right resources and the right approach, children who struggle elsewhere can thrive at Relief Nursery.
Soon new state policy will restrict the use of expulsion and suspension in early childhood programs. We welcome this change, but rules alone will not solve the problem. Without the resources, expertise and whole-family approach that we provide, many programs may still struggle to serve children with the highest needs. That is what makes your support so vital. You make it possible for Relief Nursery to meet each child where they are and walk alongside each family.
When you give to Relief Nursery, you are not just funding programs. You are giving a child the chance to be understood, to build resilience, and to know beyond doubt: I belong here.
With deep gratitude,
Leslie Finlay, Program Director
Early Childhood Programs