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Student’s Name:
Professor’s Name:
Course:
Date:
Code of Ethical Conduct
1. Why is understanding the Code of Ethics essential for Early Childhood educators?
The Code of Ethics is essential for early childhood educators because they have been entrusted
to care for very young children who cannot protect themselves and are very vulnerable (Feeney
74). These children are powerless and need protection, hence the need for ethics. Behaving
ethically protects these children from grievous harm. Additionally, the Code of Ethics is crucial
because it guides and supports early childhood educators in doing the right thing, especially in
the face of temptation or pressure (Feeney 75). It acts as a beacon to guide educators in their
dealings with children and other stakeholders in early education.

Group__2___ Situation__E___
2. What core value(s) apply in this situation?
The first core value that applies to this situation is respecting the dignity and worth of each
individual. Children are valuable human beings who deserve love and care to ensure that they
grow to become productive members of society. Respecting the dignity and worth of the
children exposed to hazards in this situation entails taking appropriate action to remove them
from the dangerous situation they are in currently. Another core value that applies to this
situation is recognizing that children are best understood and supported in the context of family,
culture, community, and society. With this in mind, early childhood educators should understand
that they have a responsibility to the family and community to report when children are exposed
to threats. The family and relevant authorities should, therefore, be alerted to the dangers the
children face when they are left without supervision.

3. To whom do you have responsibilities and why?

As an early childhood educator, I have responsibilities to the children, their families, and the
community. According to P-1.1, the interests of the child must come first. The children are
evidently in danger. It is, therefore, my duty to take the necessary measures to ensure their
safety.

4. What guidance can you find in the Code? Include evidence from the article as well as
from the position statement. List a minimum of 3 relevant ideals and principles from the
Code of Ethics position statement (be sure to include the letters and numbers)
According to the article, the code should guide educators to do what is right (Feeney 75). I-1.4
states that practitioners should “appreciate the vulnerability of children and their dependence
on adults.” As an adult, I should do what I can to protect children at all times. P-1.1 states that
“above all, we shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are
emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or
intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others in this Code.” According
to P-1.1, the interests of the child must come first. Educators have a duty to protect children
from harm. I-4.7 states that “practitioners should support policies and laws that promote the
well-being of children and families.” The children have a legal right to receive protection from
abuse and neglect. I-1.5 states that practitioners need to “create and maintain safe and healthy
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settings that foster children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development and that
respect their dignity and their contributions.” The practitioners in this facility failed in this
respect by not creating a safe setting for these children to play. P-1.9 states that “when we have
reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect, we shall report it to the appropriate
community agency and follow up to ensure that appropriate action has been taken. When
appropriate, parents or guardians will be informed that the referral will be or has been made.”
P-1.11 states that “when we become aware of a practice or situation that endangers the health,
safety, or well-being of children, we have an ethical responsibility to protect children or inform
parents and/or others who can.” As an early childhood educator, I have a responsibility to
report to the relevant authorities if I have reason to believe that children are in danger or have
been neglected.

5. Based on your analysis of the guidance from the Code what do you think "the good early
childhood educator" should do in this situation?
The children in this scenario are exposed to a potentially hazardous situation. They have
been neglected and lack adult supervision; they are surrounded by potentially harmful things and
could get injured. The situation involves ethics because early childhood educators first have a
responsibility toward children. According to P-1.1, the interests of the child must come first.
Even though they also have a responsibility toward parents and the community, they must
always consider the interests of the children first. As an early childhood educator, I have a
responsibility to ensure that harm does not come to the children, as per P-1.9. It is, therefore, my
duty to report any cases of neglect or abuse to the relevant authorities and follow up on the
matter to ensure that action is taken and the children are removed from the harmful situations to
which they are currently exposed. I will also follow up to ensure that the parents of those
children are aware of the situation and potential hazards to which their children are exposed.
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Works Cited
Feeney, Stephanie. ‘Ethics TODAY in Early Care and Education Review, Reflection, and the
Future’. Young Children, Mar. 2010, pp. 72–77.
NAEYC. Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. The National Association for
the Education of Young Children, May 2011, pp. 1–9.