Code of Ethics Assignment The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct is a useful tool containing guidelines for responsible behaviors

and actions concerning young children. In the world today, child care wor ers are li ely to face situations that deal with moral or ethical issues. The Code of Ethics contains core values that have developed throughout history in the field of early childhood care and education. These core values include appreciating childhood as a uni!ue and valuable stage of the human life cycle, appreciating and supporting the bond between the child and the family, basing wor on nowledge of how children develop and learn, and more. The Code of Ethics has four sections, each addressing an area of professional relationships. These sections include ethical responsibilities to children, families, colleagues, and community and society. Each of the four sections contains an introduction to the primary responsibilities of the wor er. Ne"t, a set of ideals are given followed by a set of principles. The ideals reflect the ambitions of the child care wor ers and the principles are used to guide wor ers in ethical dilemmas. #verall, the Code of Ethics ma es child care wor ers aware of their responsibilities and it provides support for ethical behavior in order to find the appropriate ethical resolutions to problems. I chose to loo at the seventh scenario for ethical decisions in early childhood education. The scenario is about me being a teacher in a child care center with a large staff. I hear some of the staff members tal ing negatively about colleagues who are not present. I feel uncomfortable listening, and I am becoming increasingly concerned because this ind of tal occurs fre!uently. The director is always busy and is only willing to discuss issues that involve children. The portion of the NAEYC Code of Ethics that was most helpful to me in solving this dilemma was section three. $ection three discusses ethical responsibilities to colleagues. %etter A covers the

responsibilities to co&wor ers. Ideal I&'A.( is about establishing and maintaining relationships of respect, trust, confidentiality, collaboration, and cooperation with co&wor ers. I would use principle )&'A.( to solve the dilemma. Co&wor ers are to recogni*e the contributions of colleagues to a program and not participate in practices that diminish their reputations or impair their effectiveness in wor ing with children and families. $taff members who are tal ing negatively about colleagues who are not present are participating in practices that could diminish their reputations. I believe the boss should be made aware of this. )rinciple )&'+., under letter +, responsibilities to employers, could also be used to handle the situation. If a colleague-s behavior concerns me and the children-s well&being is not at ris , then I can address the concern with the individual. .nder letter C, responsibilities to employees, ideal I&'C.( concerns promoting safe and healthy wor ing conditions and policies that foster mutual respect, cooperation, collaboration, competence, well&being, confidentiality, and self&esteem in staff members. )rinciple )&'C./ says how confidentiality in dealing with issues related to an employee-s 0ob performance shall respect an employee-s right to privacy regarding personal issues. If personal issues arise, the respect of other employees should be considered. 1atters should be able to be handled in a way that is respectful of the colleague. I believe each wor er should be shown the proper respect. I also believe I would e"plain to the boss that issues other than those involving children are also important. If issues concerning colleagues were not important, there would not be a section dedicated to this sub0ect in the Code of Ethics.