Principles and Values for Childcare Workers

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Principles and Values for Childcare Workers
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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.

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2. Keeping Children Safe

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.