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By Vanessa
Rasmussen, © 2004, All rights reserved.
Website: http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com
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Child
care practitioners work with one of society's
most vulnerable groups-young children. The
quality of the relations among young children
and their caregivers has a substantial,
long-term influence on children's lives.
The nature of the relationship and the potential
that exists to do harm require the child
care practitioners to abide by the highest
standards of ethical practice. |
The National
Association for the Education of Young Children
(NAEYC) has published code of ethical conduct
which can be accessed at http://www.naeyc.org.
The code of ethical
conduct states that childhood is a unique and
valuable stage in the life cycle. The prime
responsibility of early childhood caregivers
and educators is to provide safe, healthy, nurturing,
and responsive settings for children. It requires
them to be committed to support children's development,
respect their individual differences, help children
learn to live and work cooperatively, promote
good self-image and encourage health, self-awareness,
competence, confidence, and resiliency.
The Code categorizes
the professional responsibilities of early childhood
educators in four sections, each addressing
an arena of professional relationships: (1)
children, (2) families, (3) colleagues, and
(4) community and society. Moreover, each section
includes an introduction to the primary responsibilities
of the early childhood practitioner in that
arena, a set of ideals aiming at commendable
professional practice, and a set of principles
defining practices that are necessary, barred,
and acceptable.
The ideals and
principles mentioned in the code enables the
practitioners to make conscientious decisions.
They also present a shared conception of professional
responsibility that affirms their commitment
to the core values of this field.
The code directs
the practitioner on acceptable behavioral practices
with co-workers and superiors. Employers and
employees have ethical responsibilities towards
themselves and the institution and must be answerable
and accountable for their actions.
Early childhood
programs also have responsibilities to the community
by providing programs that meet its needs and
to cooperate with agencies and professions that
share responsibility for children.
The code of ethical
conduct may be purchased as a brochure, and
the Statement of Commitment is available as
a poster suitable for framing. Visit the NAEYC
website for more information about ordering.
Copyright
2001, 2004. All rights reserved. Any reproduction
of this article in whole or in part without
written or verbal permission is strictly prohibited.
For information about reprinting this article,
contact the copyright owner: Vanessa Rasmussen,
Ph.D, Starting a Day Care Center, http://www.startingadaycarecenter.com.
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