Ethical Conduct to Children, Families, Colleagues, and Community

NAEYC's Code of Ethical Conduct has four areas of professional responsibility that I follow: with children, with families, among colleagues, and with the community and society.

First, my responsibility to children is to "provide care and education in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child.  (I am) committed to supporting children's development and learning; respecting individual differences; and helping children learn to live, play and work cooperatively.  (I am) also committed to promoting children's self-awareness, competence, self-worth, resiliency, and physical well-being."  Currently I am working on the first two ideals in this section: "To be familiar with the knowledge base of early childhood care and education and to stay informed through continuing education and training" and "To base program practices upon current knowledge and research in the field of early childhood education, child development, and related disciplines, as well as on particular knowledge of each child".  I am working on this through attending Walden University to work on my master's degree in the field of early childhood. I also attend workshops and conferences and read current articles related to children.  I am looking forward to the NAEYC conference coming up next month in November.

Second, my responsibility to families is to "acknowledge a primary responsibility to bring about communication, cooperation, and collaboration between the home and early childhood program in ways that enhance the child's development." I am also working on this through attending school and applying the principles I learn about family importance to my work.  I have also made efforts to really get to know each family as I complete the intake and enrollment process for each new child at my center.  I am sure to inform families about upcoming events and activities happening at the center and encourage them to participate in our program.

Third, my responsibility to my colleagues is to "establish and maintain settings and relationships that support productive work and meet professional needs."  I will help to develop a "caring, cooperative workplace" where "human dignity is respected, professional satisfaction is promoted, and positive relationships are developed and sustained."  I feel I am good at sharing resources and my knowledge with those I work with to help insure the best possible care and education are promoted in our program.  I have just created a professional development plan for each of the teachers where I will help them meet their professional needs.  I need the most help in recognizing the accomplishments of each individual's professional growth and achievement.

Last, my responsibility to community and society is to "provide programs that meet the diverse needs of families, to cooperate with agencies and professionals, and to assist in the development of community programs that are needed but not currently available."  It is also my responsibility to attempt to "provide the best possible programs of care and education for children and to conduct (myself) with honesty and integrity...I acknowledge a collective obligation to advocate for the best interests of children within early childhood programs and in the larger community and to serve as a voice for young children everywhere."  Sometimes I think it is easy to get caught up in the work I currently do for the needs of the children and families I directly serve, and forget to look into the community to extend my knowledge base to others. I could be doing a better job at community, state, and national outreach efforts for children, in advocating for their needs and the needs of their families.  I strive to stay current on issues in the early childhood field, but I could do more to reach out and share my opinions and collaborate with others.