Principles and Values for Childcare Workers

1. Principles and Values for Childcare Workers

2. 1. The Welfare of the Child • The welfare of the child is paramount. • Children’s opinions should be listened to. • Behaviour management should emphasise positive expectations. • A child should never be shaken, slapped, smacked or humiliated.

3. 2. Keeping Children Safe • Preventing accidents. • Protect health. • Sticking to emergency procedures. • Protection of children from abuse.

4. 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.

5. 4. Children’s 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 children’s achievements and interests. • Child- initiated play / activities should be valued. • Records of progress kept and shared with parents.

6. 5. Equality of Opportunity • Children should be treated as individuals. • Stereotyping should be avoided. • Workers should demonstrate valuing of children’s 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. 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. 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. 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.