People who work with young children face daily decisions that have moral and ethical connections.

Morals and ethics are about determining the difference between good and bad or right and wrong

The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behavior and gives solutions for resolving ethical problems.

The focus of the code is on daily interactions with children and their families, from birth through 8 years old.

The standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education are based on these seven core values:

Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle,

Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn,

Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family,

Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of family, culture, community, and society,

Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of everyone ,

Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues,

and

Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of relationships that are based on trust and respect.

The Code builds a framework of responsibilities in four sections: with children, with families, among colleagues, and with the community and society.

Childhood is a unique and valuable stage in the human life cycle.

Our responsibility is to provide care and education in settings that are safe, healthy, nurturing, and responsive for each child.

Ethical Responsibilities to Children