Module XIV

Professionalism in the Child care Setting

Important

Some of the information contained in this CDA module may not apply to your
state’s child care regulations and laws. Therefore, the information provided should
not be used as a substitute. Your child care facility is required to follow all rules,
policies, and regulations set forth by the state in which it is located and licensed,
even if the information is different from the content and/or recommendations
contained in this module (State Licensing Standards and Requirements). Some
links may need to be cut and pasted into your browser for access.

This CDA module was compiled in part using the internet references embedded in
the module.

Did You Know?

 When a person conducts himself/herself with proper morals, ethics and social
skills, he/she is considered a professional.

 When you exude professionalism, parents respect you more, and feel more
comfortable leaving their child in your care.

 When you look and act professional, your employer and co-workers treat you
with respect and dignity.

 Maintaining a professional appearance and work ethic boosts self-esteem and

confidence.

 Workplace pettiness and gossip have no place in a professional childcare setting.

 As a professional, you learn and benefit more when you are flexible and open to
change.

 The code of ethical conduct serves as a behavior guide for child care
professionals.

 You become a child advocate when you speak out on issues and participate in
events that benefit children and families.

 Only you can protect your character.

  The Child Development Associate (CDA) is an entry level credential for working
in the child care profession.

 Integrity is one of the best professional characteristics that a child care provider
can exhibit.

 State and federal guidelines prohibit sharing confidential information with

unauthorized individuals.

Professionalism in Child Care

Because children learn from everything around them, child care providers must exhibit a
professional attitude and disposition at all times. In addition, being professional boosts
self-esteem and confidence in ones’ ability to work effectively with young children and
their families.

What a Professional Child Care Provider Does

 Dresses modestly and professionally.

 Uses proper and professional

language with children and adults.

 Conducts himself/herself in a
professional and ethical manner at all
times.

 Exhibits a positive disposition at all

times.

 Avoids talking to other staff or

parents/guardians about children or
families.

 Avoids talking negatively about

children, parents/guardians, co-workers or the program in any manner.

 Keeps information on children and families confidential.

 Treats everyone with respect, regardless of culture, special needs, socioeconomic

status or ethnicity.

 Teams with program staff to meet goals and objectives.

 Avoids gossiping or engaging in workplace pettiness.

 Communicates effectively with others.

 Is flexible, resilient and open to change.

 Is responsible and accountable for his or her actions.

 Comes to work every day on time.

 Follows program policies and state guidelines.

 Maintains integrity at all times.

 Manages time well.

 Plans appropriately, with the children’s best interest in mind.

 Works appropriately with children to help them grow, learn and develop to their
full potential.

 Becomes a lifelong learner.

 Maintains appropriate
credentials (first aid,
pediatric CPR, CDA,
degree, etc.) to work with
young children.  

 Joins professional child care

organizations.

 Reads, understands and

abides by the profession’s
“Code of Ethical Conduct.”

 Acts as a positive role model for all children.

 Works cooperatively with parents and other professionals.

 Stays current with trends, teaching practices and research in the profession.

 Uses community resources to support children and their families.

  Serves as an advocate for children, families and the profession.

 Protects his/her character by being honest, reliable and dependable.

 Understands that kindness, consideration, patience and courtesy are expected of

all professionals.

Code of Ethical Conduct

The Code of Ethical Conduct (NAEYC) sets ethical guidelines for child care
professionals. Those who work
with children and families, and
other professionals in the
community, use it to provide a
safe, healthy, nurturing, and
responsive learning environment
for young children. The code of
ethics also supports child care
professionals, and shows them
how to give high quality services
to children, families and the
broader community. To learn
more about the National
Association for the Education for
Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct, click link below.

Click link(s) for more information

NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct

Levels of Professional Growth

There is a saying, “the first impression is a lasting impression.” It is always important
to do your best at all times. Professionals are self-motivated and driven to achieve the
highest level of accomplishment. Doing just enough to get by is not an option. There are
several levels of professional growth in child care. Below are three levels, with
characteristics of each level:

Level I – Basic Skills

 Learning the nuts and bolts of the profession.

 Having basic competence in child care.

 Growing confidence in the job.

 Improving with experience.

  Needing a mentor to perfect your craft.

 Being motivated to do your best.

 Letting co-workers teach you what to do

and not do.

Level II – Intermediate Skills

 Feeling very vulnerable.

 Feeling comfortable with job skills.

 Having high level of confidence and

establishing independence.

 Keeping behavior and demeanor in check,

but can be easily led by co-workers.

 Easily accepting of negative traits.

 Can develop a “do just enough to get by,”

or a “driven to exceed” mentality.

 Beginning to settle into a routine.

 Viewing new challenges as extra work.

 Resisting change.

 Attending only required training.

Level III - Exceptional Skills

 Having highest level of professionalism.

 Getting well-established in job responsibilities.

 Being highly creative on the job.

 Having a “driven to exceed” mentality.

 Having exceptional work ethics.

 Developing leadership skills.

  Displaying an outstanding disposition.

 Working collaboratively with others

and motivating others to excel.

 Accepting new challenges with

enthusiasm.

 Being flexible and open to change.

 Being an excellent communicator

and active listener.

 Having a passion for learning.

 Engaging in self-evaluation to
sharpen personal and professional
skills.

 Setting goals and developing creative

strategies to achieve them.

Professional Development
Professionals always want to improve their knowledge, skills and work performance.
Professionals are lifelong learners. Child care is constantly changing. Providers must stay
up-to-date with new developments to apply current teaching practices and research. There
are various types of professional development experiences available to help child care
professionals stay current in the field and maintain a commitment to the profession.

Here are a few professional tools:

 Self –Assessment and/or Job Performance Evaluation: Information from these
documents helps providers identify areas of strengths and challenges.

 Goal Setting: A provider uses the self-assessment and performance evaluation to

set goals and a timetable for achievement.

 Professional Development Plan: A professional provider always wants to know

more and develop a plan to increase his or her knowledge. This plan includes
goals, resources, timeline and activities needed to achieve identified goals.

 Professional Development Activities: These activities can be formal or informal.

Formal activities include conferences, seminars, workshops, college courses and
various online learning sources. Informal activities include group discussions,
independent reading, online research and observations of colleagues in the field.
Career Paths for Child Care Providers
The field of child care is a very rewarding profession if you love and respect children.
There are several career levels. The first step is a high school diploma or GED. Below
are various career levels in the profession. States across the nation may have different
career levels.

 Child Development Associate (CDA) - A nationally recognized credential with

specialized training in 6 competency goals and 13 functional areas. Credential is
available in various specialties, including
infant/toddler, preschool, family child care
and home-based settings.

 Associates Degree - A two-year degree in

early care and education or early childhood
education.

 Bachelors Degree - A four-year degree in

early care and education or early childhood
education, leading to state certification.

 Masters Degree - Advanced degree in early care and education or early

childhood education leading to state certification.

 Doctoral Degree - Advanced degree in early care and education or early

childhood education leading to state certification.

Professional Disposition
Certain principles frame the values, commitments and professional ethics that govern
how a provider acts toward children, families, colleagues and other professionals in the
field.

Professionals often show the following characteristics:

 Dedication - to ethical conduct.

 Commitment - to lifelong learning.

 Respect – for differences in culture, abilities and ethnicity.

 Effective communication - with families and other professionals.

 Collaboration – with children, families, co-workers and the broader community.

  Adaptable - to the growing changes in the field.

 Nurture - the growth, development and care of children.

 Integrity - in performing
duties.

 Reliability - in providing
quality services.

 Dependable – in
supporting children and
their families.

 Responsible – in
carrying out duties.

 Accountable – for own actions.

 Passion – for teaching young children.

 Driven – to become the best in your chosen profession.

 Reflection – on teaching practices, skills, knowledge and make modifications

where needed.

Confidentiality
Providers are exposed to personal and sensitive information
about children and their families. They must not discuss this
information with anyone not authorized. Parents or guardians
must provide written authorization before information can be
shared.

Tips to Maintain Confidentiality

 Follow state and federal guidelines on sharing
confidential information.

 Obtain written authorization from parents or guardians to share information with

other approved professionals working with a child.

 Keep personal information on children and families securely locked away.

  Only share information with authorized individuals.

 Establish a sign-out and sign-in system to keep track of confidential information.

 In case of an emergency, give medical practitioners access to information only if

proper authorization has been obtained from parent/guardians. It is suggested
that this type of authorization be discussed and obtained during the enrollment
process.
 Provide staff training on proper handling of confidential information.

Adult Attitudes toward Differences

There is a saying, “The way you feel determines the way you act.” A child care
provider’s perceptions and attitudes may determine his or her actions toward children and
families. Being different is not a problem. But negative attitudes can affect children’s
development. We all have likes and dislikes. It’s important
that child care professionals examine their biases, and act
appropriately around children and families. Remember:
Children watch and listen to adults. If they see or hear an
adult say or do something inappropriately, they will presume
that it is permissible. It is important that child care providers
be positive role models for children at all times while they
are in their care.

Here are some thoughts:

Cultural Diversity  

 Examine your own attitudes and perceptions about individuals from other
cultures. If you have negative biases toward groups of people, do not let them
show in front of children and families.

 Work with families to learn about their

culture. This may help you deal with
any biases you may have.

 Be willing to step outside your

comfort zone when interacting with
families from diverse cultures.

 Learn to accept, understand and value cultural differences.

 Teach children that being unkind to their peers hurts, and help them learn to
accept differences.
  Learn effective ways to communicate with children and families, so you can feel
more competent as the child’s teacher.

 Learn teaching strategies and techniques to help you work more effectively with
children and families from diverse cultures.

 Provide books, posters, pictures, and

other positive literature and
materials for children to view and
learn about other cultures.

 Interact positively with families

from other cultures.

 Communicate and collaborate with

other colleagues who work with
children and families from diverse
cultures.

 Obtain support from the child’s

family to assist you in the care and
education of their child.

 Be willing to change any negatives attitudes and perceptions.

Special-Needs Children

 Examine your own attitudes and perceptions about children with special needs.

 Children with special needs are still children and deserve the best quality of care
in child care settings.

 Minimize the mental and social distance between you and the special-needs child.

 Face your fears and biases by finding answers to them.

 Learn more about different types of disabilities. This will boost your knowledge,
improve your confidence and dispel myths and stereotypes.

 Provide books, posters, pictures, and other literature and materials that depict
individuals with special needs in a positive manner.

 Learn about services and resources available to assist you as a provider.

  Get the child’s family to support you in the child’s care and education.

 Interact positively
with children with
special needs.

 Provide an
environment that
makes the special-
needs child feel
loved, accepted,
supported and
included.

 Focus on what the

special-needs child
can do, not what he or she cannot do.

 Communicate and collaborate with other colleagues who work with special-needs
children.

 Learn teaching strategies and techniques to help you work effectively with
special-needs children.

 Cultivate a caring, nurturing and loving attitude toward all children, including
those with special needs.

 Be willing to change your attitudes and perceptions toward children and other
individuals with special needs.

Contribution to the Early Care and Education Profession

The child care field is always in need of services from the community. There are many
ways a child care provider can get involved. Contributing to the early care and education
profession not only keeps the provider current with happenings in the field, but also
teaches children the importance of giving back to the community.

Here are a few suggestions:

 Serve on a board of an organization that focuses on early care and education or
early childhood education.

 Volunteer at community events that advocate for children and families.

 Speak out on issues that affect children and families.

  Speak at child care events.

 Encourage children to donate to others.

 Share your talents in the

community.

 Chaperone child care

outings.

 Advocate for children and

families to local and state
leaders in government.

 Participate in a “Reading to
Children” event at child care
centers or local libraries.

 Organize a “back to school”

or “holiday giveaway” event
for needy children and
families.

 Become an active working

member of a professional
organization (local, state and/or national).

Program Assessment
In President Barack Obama’s Plan for Early Education for All Americans, educating
young children (birth to age 5) is a priority. As the plan states, “It is important that child
care programs (all settings) assess their programs for effectiveness.” Regular internal
(staff) and external (parents, boards, state and federal
education agencies) assessment demonstrates that child
care programs have met and will continue to meet their
goals and standards. Program assessment is also a way of
telling parents, community leaders, advocacy groups and
other professionals in the field that child care programs
(all settings) are effective and an important resource for
all families with young children.

Congratulations!!!!
You have completed reading Module XIV
“Let’s check what you have learned”
“Time To Learn”