A lot of teachers go into child care to watch and help children but most do not realize everything that is involved in working with children and families. Working in a child care center is so much more than just wrangling children and just making sure they stay safe. There are resources that families and their children may need, different ways to stand up for children who are not having their needs met and the aspect of quality education that must be considered by teachers when working with children. For this reason there are many organizations that have created a code of ethics for those who work in the field of Early Childhood Development.
The three ethical ideals that are important to me as a teacher are:
1. Supporting the right of each child to play and learn in an inclusive environment that meets the needs of children with and without disabilities (NAEYC, 2005).
2. Welcome all family members and encourage them to participate in the program (NAEYC, 2005).
3. We shall demonstrate in our behavior and language respect and appreciation for the unique value
and human potential of each child (DEC, 2009).
These three ideals help me to remember why I work in child care because they help me to remember the children, families and co-workers that I get up every day to help.
