The College of Early Childhood Educators is pleased to post the electronic version of the first edition of the
Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice publication. This document was approved in a by-law of the College which came into force on February 28, 2011.
New members will receive a hardcopy upon registration with the College.
Standards Development Process - Questions and Answers
Why do we need a code of ethics and standards of practice?
How were the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice developed?
Who was consulted in shaping the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice?
How will members be able to obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice?
What happens now that the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice have been approved in a by-law?
How will early childhood educators be held accountable to the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice?
What happens if a member of the College does not abide by the ethical and professional standards?
Are employers aware of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice?
What is an employer’s responsibility in regards to these standards?
Why do we need a code of ethics and standards of practice?
As a self-regulatory body, the College of Early Childhood Educators (the College) exists to serve and protect the public interest. The Early Childhood Educators Act, 2007, states the objects of the College, one of which is “to establish and enforce professional standards and ethical standards that are applicable to members of the College and that demonstrate a respect for diversity and a sensitivity to the multicultural character of the Province.”
TheCode of Ethics and Standards of Practice, along with the Professional Misconduct Regulation, serve as the basis on which members of the College are held accountable for professional practice and professional responsibilities. Members of the College are guided in their decisions by the Code of Ethics, the Standards of Practice, and legislation applicable to early childhood educators, and use their professional judgement to make decisions. These standards will also be used by the College to assess the professional practice of members of the College and to determine and adjudicate issues of professional conduct.
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How were the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice developed?
TheCode of Ethics and Standards of Practice document was developed by implementing a Council-approved standards development process.
| May 2009 |
Council approved a four-phase standards development process that would take approximately 18 months to complete. |
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Phase 1:
Data Collection
Summer and Fall 2009
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The standards development process began by collecting very detailed feedback from focus groups held all over Ontario and by posting a questionnaire available to members of the College, stakeholders, parents and the public. |
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Phase 2:
Data Analysis and Synthesis
Winter 2010 |
The Standards of Practice Committee and the Professional Practice Department spent several months compiling and analyzing the feedback and used it to create Draft Principles for the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. |
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Phase 3: Validation
Spring and Summer 2010 |
Draft Principles back to members and the public to seek feedback through another questionnaire and roundtable discussions held across the province. Feedback was compiled and analyzed in order to guide the further development of the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice.
As a second step to the validation process, members of the College and stakeholders were once again invited to provide comments on the Draft Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. A draft copy of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice and survey for comments were available online, and stakeholders participated in focus group sessions.
With the validation phase is complete, the Standards of Practice Committee brought the recommended Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice document to Council and it was approved as a by-law on December 1, 2010. |
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Phase 4: Publication
Winter 2011 |
The Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice is now published and available to the College’s 31,000 members and the public. |
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Who was consulted in shaping the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice?
While the majority of participants were registered early childhood educators (RECEs), other key public stakeholders were invited to consultations.
• Employers of RECEs
• Postsecondary institutions offering early childhood education programs
• Parents
• Special Needs Resourcing
• Ontario Early Years Centres
• Early Literacy and Parenting Centres
• Public Education sector
• Ministry of Children and Youth Services
• Ministry of Education
• Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
• Representatives of provincial and Pan-Canadian organizations with an interest in early learning and care
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How will members be able to obtain a copy of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice?
In February 2011, current members were mailed a hardcopy of theCode of Ethics and Standards of Practice. New members will be sent a copy when they receive confirmation of their registration with the College. The publication is available electronically on this website for members and the public to access.
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What happens now that the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice have been approved in a by-law?
As of February 28, 2011 members will be held accountable to theCode of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
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How will early childhood educators be held accountable to the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice?
Members of the College are required to practise in accordance with the ethical and professional standards of the profession, as set out in the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice. Upon becoming a registered early childhood educator, a member becomes accountable for abiding by the ethical responsibilities and professional standards of the profession.
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What happens if a member of the College does not abide by the ethical and professional standards?
As part of its duty to serve and protect the public interest, the College has a formal complaints process. Anyone with a complaint about a College member’s conduct or actions can submit a written complaint to the College. The Complaints Committee considers whether or not to refer the matter to the Discipline Committee or Fitness to Practise Committee for a hearing or to take other action.
The Discipline Committee may make a determination, after a hearing, that a member of the College is guilty of professional misconduct (as defined in Ontario Regulation 223/08). Professional misconduct includes “failing to maintain the standards of the profession”.
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Are employers aware of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice?
In February 2011, the College mailed anEmployer Bulletin and a poster to over 5,000 employers across the province, primarily licensed child care centres and school boards. In an effort to help increase the public’s awareness of these standards for the profession, the College requests that employers display the poster in a highly visible location for parents/guardians, staff and colleagues. If an employer has not received the employer package, they may access the Employer Bulletin and theCode of Ethics and Standards of Practice. Posters are available upon request.
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What is an employer’s responsibility in regards to these standards?
Employers should be aware that if there is a conflict between the College’s Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice and a member's work environment and/or the policies and procedures of his or her employer, members of the College have an obligation to comply with the College’s Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice.
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