According to the position statement issued by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct (revised April 2005) offers guidelines for responsible behavior among early childhood professionals and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education.
The primary focus of the code is on the daily practice with children and their families in programs for children from birth through 8 years. The code sets forth a framework of professional responsibilities with children, families, colleagues, and the community and society. Each section is followed by a set of ideals that reflect exemplary professional practice and by a set of principles describing practices that are required, prohibited, or permitted.
When early childhood professionals face an ethical dilemma in their work with young children and their families, it is their professional responsibility to consult the code and all relevant parties to find the most ethical resolution.