Code and Standards

The new Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice came into effect on July 1, 2017. All registered early childhood educators (RECEs) were mailed a copy. The 2017 edition replaces the original version, published in 2011.

The new Code and Standards reflects many significant changes the profession has undergone since 2011. It places greater emphasis on leadership, relationships, well-being, learning environments, current pedagogical approaches and the value of communication and collaboration. It also provides more clarity on use of the protected title, the duty to report and dual relationships, and addresses the use of technology.

The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice sets out the professional knowledge, skills, values and expectations applicable to all registered early childhood educators (RECEs) regardless of role and the setting in which they may practise. It also communicates to RECEs and the public the scope and nature of the profession. As regulated professionals, RECEs are expected to act with integrity and adhere to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice at all times within their workplace and the community.

Code of Ethics

The Code of Ethics sets out the ethical values that guide the professional practice of RECEs. The ethics are:

Responsibilities to Children
Responsibilities to Families
Responsibilities to Colleagues and to the Profession
Responsibilities to the Community and to the Public

Standards of Practice

The Standards of Practice outline the expectations regarding knowledge, skills and actions in six key areas. The standards are:

Standard I: Caring and Responsive Relationships
Standard II: Curriculum and Pedagogy
Standard III: Safety, Health and Well-Being in the Learning Environment
Standard IV: Professionalism and Leadership
Standard V: Professional Boundaries, Dual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest
Standard VI: Confidentiality, Release of Information and Duty to Report

Each of the six Standards of Practice has three elements:

Principle – serves as an important summary of each standard and offers key highlights of the knowledge and practice sections from each standard.

Knowledge – identifies the knowledge related to each standard that RECEs must have in order to practise the profession

Practice – the skills, actions and behaviours related to each standard that RECEs must demonstrate in order to practise the profession

The four ethics and six professional standards are interconnected, and taken together, they support RECEs in using their professional judgment and making ethical decisions in their daily practice.

Code and Standards and Accountability

All RECEs are legally required to adhere to By-law 39: Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. They are also legally required to adhere to the regulations made under the Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007 that include the Professional Misconduct Regulation and the Continuous Professional Learning Regulation. The Code and Standards and related regulations, serve as the basis upon which RECEs are held accountable for their practice and to the public.

Poster

Employer Bulletin

Receiving Copies of Code and Standards

All RECEs have been mailed a copy of the second edition of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (2017).

Printed copies of the publication are available for $5.00 plus shipping and handling. To order copies, please complete this order form.