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2nd Case Study

Yena Kim

Department of Early Childhood Education, Capilano University

EDUC 121: Introduction to Centre Administration

Prof. Dana Lee

November 10, 2023

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What are the issues or biases in this case that can affect family/staff relations and affect

the roles and professionalism of early childhood educator?

First, Mariah leaves kindergarten late. This makes her teacher uncomfortable, which in turn

has a very negative impact on the teacher-parent relationship. Second, unlike other children,

Mariah stays in kindergarten even when she is sick. This puts Mariah at risk of worsening her

illness, and not letting her parents know that their child is sick can also be seen as a negative

impact that comes from prejudice rather than caring. Not only does this behavior seem unfair

to other children and their caregivers, but it can also have a very negative impact on the

health and safety of other healthy children. Additionally, having a child fold towels that have

just come out of the dryer poses a risk of burns. Teachers working outside of their own hours

to help Mariah can cause discomfort and feel unfair in their relationships with other children

and caregivers. In addition, one of the teachers dating Mariah's father is a behavior that

greatly affects the teachers' professionalism and discipline, and not maintaining professional

relationships with families is harmful to teachers, caregivers, and children.

CCLR sections

13 (1) A licensee must ensure that a healthy and safe environment is provided at all times

while children are under the supervision of employees.

40 (1) a licensee must not provide care for more than 13 hours each day to each child.

55 (1) A licensee must immediately notify a parent or emergency contact if, while under the

care or supervision of the licensee, the child becomes ill or is injured

First, CCLR 13 holds the teachers liable for letting Mariah fold the hot towel, which can

cause burns to a child, and is tantamount to leaving a child in harm's way.

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The teachers are also taking care of Mariah outside of their own working hours, which is

highly inconsistent with 40 (1). Basically, all teachers are only entitled to work a certain

number of hours, and over-caring for children can have a negative impact on their emotional

well-being as they spend less time with their parents.

In addition, by assuming that Mariah's father is busy, the teachers fail to contact him when

Mariah is ill, which is disrespectful to both the child and her caregiver and violates section

55(1). If something happens to a child, teachers must unconditionally contact the guardian to

report what happened.

Code of Ethics

Principle 4: "We work in partnership with families, supporting them in meeting their

responsibilities for their children.”

In the scenario, Mariah's father and family are going through a difficult situation, but that

doesn't mean that teachers should assume the facts and arbitrarily not call her when she's sick,

or work longer than scheduled hours because Mariah's father is late. This can have a negative

impact on both the caregiver and the child, and is not a substitute for responsibility.

Principle 8 : “We prioritize our personal health and well-being.”

In the scenario, teachers working much longer than their scheduled hours and even working

outside of the center's hours of operation because Mariah's father is busy is not considering

the well-being of the teachers.

Principle 9: “We demonstrate integrity and respect in our professional relationships.”

One teacher is in a relationship with Mariah's father, which is highly unprofessional behavior.

This behavior does not show respect for the other children she is teaching, her family, or her

fellow teachers, and is highly unethical and unprofessional.

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As the Executive Director, choose two of the issues identified and, for each issue,
write the necessary policies and set of procedures that would help to support the
educators in this situation.

Problem 1: Mariah folds a towel that just came out of the dryer

Policy: Limit cleaning and other potentially hazardous behaviors for young children

Procedure: Teach children and teachers in a clear way that even small actions can be

dangerous, and discipline teachers for allowing this behavior.

Problem 2: One of the teachers is dating Mariah's father.

Policy: No personal relationships with parents or children under any circumstances, and

discipline if caught.

Procedure: Provide guidance on personal relationships, emphasize ethical behavior, and teach

that it is unprofessional. State that disciplinary action will be taken for violations of these

policies and emphasize transparency with each other, providing a mechanism for reporting

suspicious behavior.

What are your steps and recommendations?

Actions and recommendations for action include reviewing policies to ensure they are

comprehensive and clearly communicate what they mean, and if there are issues, creating

specific policies on personal relationships between parents and teachers, or creating penalties

for violations. Educators and parents should be informed that these new policies have been

created, and they should be monitored to ensure that they are being implemented in a

transparent manner.
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References

Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (2021). Code of ethics: early childhood educators of

British Columbia. Vancouver, BC: Author

Government of British Columbia (2016). Community care and assisted living act: Child care licensing

regulation. Victoria, BC: Queens’ Printer. Retrieved from:

http://www.bclaws.ca/Recon/document/ID/freeside/332_2007