Code of Ethical Conduct Statement

The Teachable Moments Preschool Code of Ethical Conduct Statement offers guidelines for responsible behavior and establishes a common basis for resolving common ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood education and care. Teachable Moments Preschool recognizes that those who work with young children face daily decisions with moral and ethical implications. The following code is based on Teachable Moments Preschool’s recognition of the critical role of conscience, not merely in preventing wrong, but in choosing a course of action that’s in the best interest of young children and their families and to support our professional staff members.

Core Values

The Code of Ethical Conduct is based on a commitment to the following core values, which are deeply rooted in our mission and vision to provide the best early childhood experience for children and their families. We are committed to:

  • Character

  • Honor

  • Integrity

  • Service

  • Excellence

Ethical Commitment to Children

  1. We shall not harm children. We shall not participate in practices that are emotionally damaging, physically harmful, disrespectful, degrading, dangerous, exploitative, or intimidating to children. This principle has precedence over all others in this code.

  2. We shall have clearly stated policies for the respectful treatment of children and adults in all contacts made by staff members, families, volunteers, and other adults. We shall promptly and appropriately address incidents that are not consistent with our values and policies.

  3. We shall apply all policies regarding our obligations to children consistently and fairly.

  4. We shall ensure that the program and curriculum we administer are safe and developmentally appropriate in accordance with standards of the early childhood education field.

  5. We shall support children’s well-being by encouraging the development of strong bonds between children and their families and between children and their teachers.

Ethical Commitment to Families

  1. We shall work to create a respectful environment for and a working relationship with all families, regardless of the family members’ sex, race, national origin, cultural language, religious belief, age, marital status/family structure, disability, or sexual orientation.

  2. We shall develop enrollment policies that clearly describe admission policies and priorities.

  3. We shall establish clear operating policies and make them available to families in advance of their child enrolling in our program. We also shall apply policies regarding obligations to families consistently and fairly.

  4. We shall make every attempt to use two-way communication to convey information in ways that are accessible by every family served.

  5. We shall work to achieve shared understanding between families and staff members. In disagreements, we shall help all parties express their particular needs and perspectives.

Ethical Commitment to Staff

  1. We shall provide staff members with safe and supportive working conditions that respect human dignity, honor confidences, and permit them to carry out their responsibilities through performance evaluations, written grievance procedures, constructive feedback, and opportunities for continuing professional development and advancement.

  2. We shall develop and maintain comprehensive, written personnel policies that define program standards. These policies shall be given to new staff members and shall be easily accessible and available for review by all staff members.

  3. We shall support and encourage staff members in their efforts to implement programming that enhances the development and learning of the children served.

  4. We shall provide counsel, additional professional development, and coaching for staff members whose practices are not appropriate.

  5. We shall make hiring, retention, promotion, and termination decisions based solely on a person’s competence, record of accomplishment, ability to carry out the responsibilities of the position, and professional preparation specific to the developmental levels of children in his/her care.

Ethical Commitment to Community

  1. We shall communicate openly and truthfully about the nature and extent of the services that we provide.

  2. We shall be familiar with laws and regulations that serve to protect the children in our program and be vigilant in ensuring that these laws and regulations are followed.

  3. When we become aware of a practice or situation that endangers the health, safety, or well-being of children, families, and/or staff members, we have an ethical responsibility to protect all parties and inform families and/or others who can help in the situation.

  4. We shall be honest and forthright in communication with the public and with agencies responsible for regulation and accreditation.

  5. When asked to provide an informed opinion on issues, practices, products, or programs, we shall base our opinions on relevant experience, knowledge of child development and standards of best practice.

Parts of this code have been adopted (with revisions) from the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Code of Ethical Conduct, May 2011.

Teachable Moments Preschool, LLC will not waiver from these principles and takes the above ethical codes extremely serious.