PRINCIPLES AND VALUES

FOR CHILDCARE WORKERS

Set out by the Early Years National Training
Organisation (Writes NVQs)

1. THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD

The welfare of the child is paramount.
Childrens opinions should be listened to.
Behaviour management should emphasise
positive expectations.
A child should never be shaken, slapped,
smacked or humiliated.

2. KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

Preventing accidents.
Protect health.
Sticking to emergency procedures.
Protection of children from abuse.

3. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

PARENTS/ FAMILIES
Workers must not try and take over a parents
role inappropriately.
Parents/ families should be treated as an expert
on their own child. Wishes should be complied
with where possible.
Share information with parents.
Respect for culture.

4. CHILDRENS LEARNING AND

DEVELOPMENT
Children learn most in their early years, therefore care
and education at this stage is very important.
Children should be offered a range of activities to
encourage their development in different areas.
Planned activities should show high expectations and
build on childrens achievements and interests.
Child- initiated play / activities should be valued.
Records of progress kept and shared with parents.

5. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Children should be treated as individuals.
Stereotyping should be avoided.
Workers should demonstrate valuing of childrens
racial/ other characteristics to develop self-esteem.
Should extend to other staff, parents etc.

6. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION

Workers should not discriminate and should

encourage children to avoid prejudice.

7. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Contributions made to society from different
cultural groups should be shown in a positive
light.
Children should be helped to develop a sense of
cultural/ social/ racial identity and learn about
others.
No one group should be presented as superior.

8. CONFIDENTIALITY
Information should only passed on in the interest
of protecting the children, or with the permission
of the family.
Information about other workers should also be
treated in a confidential manner.

9. WORKING WITH OTHER

PROFESSIONALS

Advice and support should be sought.

Information should be shared when necessary.
Respect should be shown for the roles of other
professionals.

10. THE REFLECTIVE

PRACTITIONER
Reflect on practices and use this information to

develop.
Seeking advice and support should be seen as a
positive action.
Opportunities for training/ development should be
maximised.