Standards of Practice

Educators build trust and emotional security by being attuned to the individual needs, feelings, and developmental stages of each child. These relationships encourage children to feel valued, understood, and capable, which in turn promotes cognitive, social and emotional development. A caring approach means listening actively to children, responding with empathy and creating connections that establish a sense of safety and belonging.

This standard highlights the importance of creating a curriculum that is relevent, meaningful and appropriate to the developmental needs of each child. Pedagogy refers to the strategies and methods used by educators to support learning. Well designed curriculum encourages creativity, critical thinking and exploration while considering the abilities, backgrounds and interests of each child. Effective pedagogy supports active learning and encourages children to ask questions, problem solve and build knowledge in a way that builds their understanding and skills.

Ensuring the physical, mental and emotional safety of children is of the utmost importance. This standard focuses on maintaining a safe and healthy environment where children are free to learn and explore without the risk of any harm. This includes everything from safeguarding childrens physicsl needs/health, fostering positive relationshsips, addressing bullying, to promoting their emotional well being. This standard also involves being proactive in managing any potential risks, aswell as educating children about self-care and safety precautions.

ECE's are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism, which includes demonstrating responsibility and ethical behaviours and responsibility. Leadership in ECE reflects the ability to inspire and guide others in promoting a positive, effective and inclusive learning environment. Professionalism includes continual professional development, demonstrating leadership by being a role model, promoting collaboration, and strongly advocating for the needs of children and their families as well as the ECE community as a whole.

This standard addresses the importance of maintaining clear professional boundaries to ensure relationships between educators, children and theiir faimilies remain remained on the childs best interest and ethical. Dual relationships can create conflicts of interest potentially compromising quality of care. Clear boundaries can help to ensure that the educators interactions with children and families remain focused on the childs needs and are free from biases.

Maintaining confidentiality is a core principle in early childhood education. ECE's are entrusted with sensitive information surrounding their students and families, it is their responsibility to protect this information, only sharing with those who have a legitimate need to know. However there are a few exceptions to confidentiality including when there is a duty to report concerns regarding a childs welfare. In these situations, educators must act in accordance with professional and legal guidelines while still respecting child and family.