Every Early Childhood Educator’s Foundation for Ethical Practice

Newly authored and aligned with the recently revised code of ethics for the field, the fourth edition of Ethics and the Early Childhood Educator: Using the Code of Ethics continues to define standards of professional conduct for the field, guide educators' ethical decision making, and support educators in doing their work with integrity.

A time-tested framework guides readers through ethical analysis using a step-by-step approach and sixteen cases drawn from real dilemmas educators often encounter. These dilemmas include balancing the individual needs of a child with the needs of the group, addressing a family's request that the teacher do something the teacher does not believe is in the child's best interest, and working with a colleague who is not meeting their professional responsibilities. The analysis of each case illustrates how the collective wisdom and expert guidance expressed in the Code of Ethics can help educators resolve their real-life dilemmas.

New topics and features to help educators navigate difficult issues in their daily work with children, families, colleagues, and the community include

Revised and updated cases with new discussion

One brand-new case

Reflection questions to help educators relate the examples to their own situation

Perspectives from the field: Educators in different roles discuss ethics in their work

Ways program policies can support responsibility and address dilemmas

Strategies and resources for self-care in ethics work

Educators will turn to this book again and again as they seek to make the right decisions for young children, families, colleagues, and themselves.