Ideals from the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

The Code of Ethical Conduct by the NAEYC is an excellent position statement that guides our profession. It is difficult to choose only a few ideals that I feel are meaningful to me. Here are five of the ones I felt can make the biggest impact in my profession today.

Section II

Ethical responsibilities to Families

I-2.4—To listen to families, acknowledge and build upon their strengths and competencies, and learn from families as we support them in their task of nurturing children.

Every family and every child is unique and they teach us as much as we educate them. I feel this ideal opens our minds as professionals to becoming better listeners and to therefore take into consideration what each family brings to our classroom and program. This ideal acknowledges that we support parents, as they are doing the nurturing of their children, but that we must take into consideration what the family wants, and not only what we think is best for their children.

Since I work in a culturally diverse city (and preschool), this becomes an important responsibility to families.

I-2.9—To participate in building support networks for families by providing them with opportunities to interact with program staff, other families, community resources, and professional services.

In order to help families to support and nurture their children, we must provide them with the tools and resources needed in this responsibility. I find this ideal recognizes that we can play a key role in connecting families with who and what they need while raising a family. It also recognizes that families do need these tools and resources.

Though we are constantly directing our precious families to their needed support, I intend to expand this responsibility at the nursery. If we can build the support network for families, then we help each child indirectly and more permanently.

Section III

Ethical responsibilities to Colleagues.

I-3A.2—To share resources with co-workers, collaborating to ensure that the best possible early childhood care and education program is provided.

It is only through collaboration that we can optimize our work with children. The institution is a reflection of its individuals. If the individual is well resourced but does not share wisdom and knowledge, then they limit their own progress by limiting the institution's progress. I still believe our colleagues are our best resources, and my efforts are for staff to recognize that. Our nursery's culture is of a team approach in every task, which promotes collaboration by everyone.

Section IV

Ethical responsibilities to Community and Society

I-4.2—To promote cooperation among professionals and agencies and interdisciplinary collaboration among professions concerned with addressing issues in the health, education, and well-being of young children, their families, and their early childhood educators.

Similar to collaboration between colleagues, we need to see all professionals who work with children as colleagues and so their input in caring for children is crucial. If we can cover all aspects of childhood, then we serve the child completely.

It would be ideal for our nursery to be in close coordination with our governing bodies, with the pediatricians in town, social workers, therapists, schools and more. It would provide us with the tools and knowledge to educate and help every child and their family, as necessary. This is an ideal that I am motivated to work towards continually.

I-4.6—To promote knowledge and understanding of young children and their needs. To work toward greater societal acknowledgment of children’s rights and greater social acceptance of responsibility for the well-being of all children.

Children are under our care for only a few hours a day, and with their pediatrician once in a few months, and other professionals only periodically. I feel this ideal reveals the fact that if members of our society are educated in children's rights then the impact is much bigger than educating only the professionals. Members of society include parents, grandparents, uncles and aunts, neighbors, religious figures, nurses, coaches and many more… where they all interact with children and can influence their lives continuously. The more we educate all members of society, the more we benefit the children.

This is a responsibility of every professional working with children, and to a higher level, the responsibility of our governments and associations.