Ethical dilemmas occur from time to time in family child care programs. Your values form the basis for how you respond in these situations. The National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Code of Ethical Conduct can be used to help providers address these dilemmas.

Read the scenario below and think about similar situations that have occurred in your family child care home. In the space below, use the questions to reflect on how you can handle a similar situation in the future using NAEYC’s Code of Ethics as your guide.

Scenario: Program Activities

Carly, a family child care provider, cares for Jackson, a 2-year-old boy. She intentionally plans interesting, developmentally appropriate activities that focus on language and early literacy skills (e.g., reads stories, sings, does finger plays, and engages in conversations at snack and meal times). Jackson’s mom shares with Carly that she would like Carly to send home worksheets and flashcards so that Jackson can practice his letter-sound recognition skills. She is concerned that Jackson is not learning what he needs to know for kindergarten. Jackson’s cousin, who attends a center-based child care program, brings home worksheets and flashcards every night. Carly listens attentively to Jackson’s mom, but she is uncomfortable with her request.

  1. What concerns do you think Carly might have about sending home worksheets and flashcards with Jackson?
     
  2. What can Carly do to address these concerns?
     
  3. How would you react in a similar situation?