In 2007, a significant milestone was reached in Ontario, Canada by the establishment of The Early Childhood Educators Act. This legislation properly recognized the professionalism and expertise that is required to work in the field of Early Childhood Education. The Colleges of ECE was founded, in 2008 after nearly 20 years of educators lobbying to be recognized as a recognized profession. Due to the perseverance of those educators, we now have an established set of standards that anyone working in the profession must adhere to. Even before the establishment of the Colleges of ECE, Early Childhood Educators have been dedicated to high standards of care, well-being and holistic development of children. Today, these standards of practice and the code of ethics are vital to the success of every educator, guiding us through the roles and responsibilities of the field.
First and foremost, is our responsibility to children. To guide, educate and embrace the child-led pedagogy framework of Ontario. It is our role, to create a safe, nurturing and inclusive learning environment where children can thrive. This also includes the recognition of the diverse landscape that Canada is and each child and family has a uniqueness which should be included in our programs. This brings us to our next responsibility as educators, to the families. An educator needs to establish a relationship and partnership with children's families and caregivers and their role in their child's development and well-being.
During my career, I strive to establish quality relationships with children and their families. One thing I have implemented into my current practice as an Independent Child Care Provider is to welcome new potential families into my home for a meet and greet before a child can be signed on to care. This gives the family a chance to view our space, meet myself and my family and establish a connection. This is essential for me as a provider, both parties need to be comfortable with each other. As well as that, I have made use of a private Facebook group and an app to provide further communication to parents about their children. It is important to me for parents to know as much as possible about their child's day because they are in my care for so many hours per day.
The next responsibilities of an ECE are to their colleagues, the profession, the community and the public. As we strive to maintain and provide professional care to our communities it is also important to remember that our responsibilities as a profession extend beyond the "classroom" walls. As ECEs, we need to interact with colleagues, contribute to our profession and engage and advocate within the community. With our colleagues, we share a common goal, and work side by side each day. We must guide newcomers, and share best practices including resources and support. We must always set our minds to the best practice of collaboration, and mentorship. through these, we can help support our colleagues navigate and grow within our careers becoming confident and competent educators. If we foster a supportive culture of trust and respect, everyone can thrive.
Part of our essential responsibilities includes our duty to report. As early childhood educators (ECEs) and childcare providers, we are mandated reporters, obligated to report any suspicions of child abuse or neglect. There are instances where professionalism may fall short of standards, necessitating the reporting of concerns to supervisors or even to regulatory bodies like the College of Early Childhood Educators. In cases, where there are reports to superiors that remain unaddressed. I feel as though, while it may be difficult to navigate, going above our superiors, we must share any unaddressed misconduct with the appropriate authorities. Upholding the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice is important, and taking necessary steps to address unaddressed misconduct ensures a commitment to child welfare and professional integrity. Though it may be nerve-wracking, it is a necessary step to ensure the safety and well-being of children in our care.
Within the profession, we have a responsibility to continue professional development and advocacy. We must look for new growth opportunities, which include remaining current with new research, standards and developments within Early Childhood Education. We must extend these opportunities to our colleagues to ensure we all continue to grow. Advocacy is also an important role of the Early Childhood Educator. We must advocate for our profession, the children and families within our care, and our colleagues. It is important to me that I show my children that a small voice, together with many other voices can insight change. If we feel that something needs to happen, it is important to stand up and say it.
This leads me to an ECE responsibility and role within the community. We must foster an open line of communication within our community. This could be by attending or hosting events, sharing newsletters or even working in different jobs within the field of Early Childhood Education. As a childcare provider and ECE student, I take my roles and responsibilities very seriously. This includes my duty to report and uphold professionalism even when faced with an uncertain situation. I am committed to being an upstanding member of the community, prioritizing the children under my care, engaging in continuous learning and adhering to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
References
College of Early Childhood Educators. (2017). Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (2017). https://www.college-ece.ca/en/Documents/Code_and_Standards_2017.pdf
Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies. (2022). Duty to report. https://www.oacas.org/childrens-aid-child-protection/duty-to-report/
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