Child care is in crisis in BC. Not enough spaces are available for parents seeking licensed, quality, affordable child care. The BC Government has promised to fund 60,000 new child care spaces. Who will be working in these child care centres?
One of the dilemmas we are faced with in the field of Early Childhood Education is low wages for educators and staff retention in child care centres. Parents cannot afford the increasing rates in child care centres to pay the staff.
The BC Coalition of Child Care Advocates works tirelessly to advocate for better wages and a $10/day plan for child care so parents are able to afford quality and accessible child care for their young children.
As Early Childhood Educators, we adhere to the Code of Ethics found here. Our learners are introduced to the Code of Ethics in the Early Childhood Care and Education program and this booklet is used a resource for many of their assignments. There are 8 principles that guide early childhood educators in their practice and the learners are encouraged to use these principles to help make the right decision when faced with an ethical dilemma.
In addition, Early Childhood Educators hold an individual “license to practice” that is renewed every 5 years, provided they have met the requirements for renewal.
When you work with people there is no shortage of ethical dilemmas. These can be dilemmas that involve the children directly, their parents, and even co-workers and agency leaders. This is a great article from the National Association for the Education of Young Child that discusses ethics in child care today.
Not only do I adhere to the Code of Ethics and the principles outlined above, but as an instructor at Selkirk College, there are several workplace policies and procedures that apply to our ethical practice in and outside of the classroom. I believe it is important to review these policies on a regular basis and update/revise as necessary to ensure they reflect the actual practice. We often review with our learners the policies that directly affect them as learners in the Human Services Department. Not only are there college wide policies to follow, but policies like attendance that is specific to our department.
Ellen's PIDP Journey 