Principles of the Code of Ethics

Principles of the Code of Ethics

Child care practitioners (CCPs) work with one of society’s most vulnerable groups—young children. The quality of the interactions between young children and their caregivers has a significant, enduring impact on children’s lives. The intimacy of the relationship and the potential that exists to do harm call for a commitment on the part of CCPs to the highest standards of ethical practice.

The Canadian Child Care Federation (CCCF) and its affiliate organizations recognize their responsibility to promote ethical practices and attitudes on the part of child care practitioners. The CCCF Code of Ethics, published in Partners in Quality: Tools for Practitioners in Child Care Settings, is based on the Code of Ethics developed by the Early Childhood Educators of B.C. It is intended to guide CCPs and to protect the children and families with whom they work.

Eight Ethical Principles

Child care practitioners:

  1. promote the health and well-being of all children
  2. enable children to participate to their full potential in environments carefully planned to serve individual needs and to facilitate the child’s progress in the social, emotional, physical and cognitive areas of development
  3. demonstrate caring for all children in all aspects of their practice
  4. work in partnership with parents, recognizing that parents have primary responsibility for the care of their children, valuing their commitment to the children and supporting them in meeting their responsibilities to their children
  5. work in partnership with colleagues and other service providers in the community to support the well-being of children and their families
  6. work in ways that enhance human dignity in trusting, caring and co-operative relationships that respect the worth and uniqueness of the individual
  7. pursue, on an ongoing basis, the knowledge, skills and self-awareness needed to be professionally competent
  8. demonstrate integrity in all of their professional relationships.

Ethical practice reflects these eight principles. However, ethical dilemmas can sometimes be difficult to resolve. In difficult situations, carefully think through the likely consequences of giving priority to particular principles. By evaluating the consequences, it may become clear which principle ought to be given more weight. The preferred action should be the one which produces the least amount of avoidable harm. Consult with colleagues to obtain different perspectives on the problem, being mindful of confidentiality issues. The final decision rests with the individual practitioner facing the ethical dilemma.

These principles were published in Partners in Quality: Tools for Practitioners in Child Care Settings and are based on the Code of Ethics developed by the Early Childhood Educators of B.C.
Several years ago, the Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA) instituted an Ethics Committee, recognizing a need to spread knowledge and understanding about ethics in child care settings. For three years, the committee members have been delivering workshops on ethical decision making throughout Manitoba.