PRINCIPLES AND VALUES FOR
CHILDCARE WORKERS
1. THE WELFARE OF THE CHILD
The welfare of the child is paramount.
 Children’s opinions should be listened to.
 Behaviour management should emphasise
positive expectations.
 A child should never be shaken, slapped,
smacked or humiliated.
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2. KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE
Preventing accidents.
 Protect health.
 Sticking to emergency procedures.
 Protection of children from abuse.
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3. WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
PARENTS/ FAMILIES
Workers must not try and take over a parents’
role inappropriately.
 Parents/ families should be treated as an expert
on their own child. Wishes should be complied
with where possible.
 Share information with parents.
 Respect for culture.
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4. CHILDREN’S LEARNING AND
DEVELOPMENT
Children learn most in their early years, therefore care
and education at this stage is very important.
 Children should be offered a range of activities to
encourage their development in different areas.
 Planned activities should show high expectations and
build on children’s achievements and interests.
 Child- initiated play / activities should be valued.
 Records of progress kept and shared with parents.
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5. EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY
Children should be treated as individuals.
 Stereotyping should be avoided.
 Workers should demonstrate valuing of children’s
racial/ other characteristics to develop self-esteem.
 Should extend to other staff, parents etc.
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6. ANTI-DISCRIMINATION
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Workers should not discriminate and should
encourage children to avoid prejudice.
7. CELEBRATING DIVERSITY
Contributions made to society from different
cultural groups should be shown in a positive
light.
 Children should be helped to develop a sense of
cultural/ social/ racial identity and learn about
others.
 No one group should be presented as superior.
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8. CONFIDENTIALITY
Information should only passed on in the interest
of protecting the children, or with the permission
of the family.
 Information about other workers should also be
treated in a confidential manner.
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9. WORKING WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
Advice and support should be sought.
 Information should be shared when necessary.
 Respect should be shown for the roles of other
professionals.
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10. THE REFLECTIVE PRACTITIONER
Reflect on practices and use this information to
develop.
 Seeking advice and support should be seen as a
positive action.
 Opportunities for training/ development should be
maximised.
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