After reviewing
the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the DEC Code of Ethics it reemphasized
the work that I do and continue to pursue for my career (NAEYC, 2005 and DEC,
2009). It was difficult to choose only
3ideals that are meaningful to myself and to my profession. I am passionate and feel that each and every
one of the ideals should have purpose to all professionals in early childhood
education.
In NAEYC Code
of Ethical Conduct I was able to narrow it down to the section 1, ideal “I-1.7 –
To use assessment information to understand and support children’ development
and learning, to support instruction, and to identify children who may need additional
services” (NAEYC, 2005). This is
applicable to me and the daily functions of the Child Find Program I
manage. We do about 250 screenings each
year. The developmental tool that is
utilized serves as a tool to see if a child needs further assessments. We are also a home-based visitation program
and the information from the screening provides us with information in domains
of cognitive, social emotional, gross and fine motor skills. This information can be used when planning for
home-visits or if the child does not score in an at-risk category but the child
is lacking in some of the domains we can provide the parent with activities
that can do at home to progress their child’s skill set until the next
screening.
Being a
manager for many, many years I have witnessed how professionals working in
early child are often under paid and do not feel valued for the hard work they
do. “Ideal I-3C.3-3-To strive to secure
adequate and equitable compensation (salary and benefits) for those who work
with or on behalf of young children” (NAEYC, 2006). I believe that my advocacy is not just for
the children and families I serve but also to the staff that provides direct
service. They too have children and
families to support and its only right my focus is directed at their best
interest as well. A few years back my
child care staff was severely underpaid and new hires were coming in at a much
higher rate. I advocated and advocated
until I was able to change all of their salaries at a higher rate than those I was
hiring. Currently, my staff has not seen
an increase in 6 years! We have been
provided with a performance tool and it’s my plan to compensate them all and
give the highest marks possible. They
deserve it for the hard work they do each day to support children and families
and for making the commitment to stay their positions regardless of the
salary. Kuddos for my early intervention
team.
“We shall
respect families’ rights to choose or refuse early childhood special education
or related service” (Code of Ethics, 2009).
With a 250 developmental screenings each year we recommend many kiddos
for a full evaluation. Often hear
directly from parents that there is nothing wrong with my child. He will grow out of it. He just needs more time. I am a strong believer that early intervention
can provide significant outcomes. At the
same time I have to be respectful of a parent that denies any further
evaluations. Some are cultural and not
wanting to have their child labeled. I
have compassion and empathy towards their decisions as they are the primary
educators of their children. At times we
simply need to meet a family where they are at and assist in the most discrete
way we can. We continue to track the
children and provide families with resources that they can utilize at
home.
