Legally and Ethically

[mellymoo]

Scenario 1
You are currently employed as an assistant educator in a Pre-school Room in an Early Childhood Education and Care Service.
Joshua a 4 and half year old child has been playing in the home corner and role playing with the other children. During Joshua’s play he becomes aggressive and yells at another child when they drop some of the toys on the floor. Joshua raises a hand and yells at the child and says they are “stupid” and needs to “shut up” as he goes to strike the other child.
You approach to see what is going on in the home corner and discusses with Joshua his behaviour. During the discussion Joshua tells you that when he is noisy or breaks something at home that is what his Mum does to him and points at a bruise on his arm.
That afternoon Joshua’s Mum’s friend arrives to collect Joshua, he runs over to her and gives her a hug but you have not met her before.
1. Identify 2 legal obligations you have as an early childhood educator in this scenario.
2. Identify which service policies and procedures you would refer to in this situation.
• Give 3 key points that should be included in each of the named policies and procedures.
3. List 2 Education and Care Services National Regulations that are relevant in this scenario?
4. What documentation/reports would you need to complete during or after managing this situation?
Scenario 2

Sarita is a 3 year old child in the Toddler room and gets dropped off every morning as soon as the Childcare centre is open. During morning play time most days you find Sarita going through the other children’s bags looking for food. You know the parents have been shown the policy that states all children have to come in the morning having had breakfast. Every time they are asked about her eating habits they say she doesn’t like their food. Sarita is often tired and appears slightly underweight for her age.

1. Is this an ethical or a legal dilemma? Provide an explanation of your choice (50-100 words)
2. How would you respond in the above situation? Provide an explanation of why you would respond this way (50-100 words)
Scenario 3

Two educators are laughing loudly in the sandpit where they are supervising a group of children. You realise that they are talking about the family situation of one of the children at the service.
The mother is in her late 40’s and is pregnant with her 5th child. You overhear that one of the educators had asked the mother if it’s a good idea to have a baby at her age and suggests there are other options especially as her and the father are not together.

1. Refer to the current Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics and list which areas ‘In relation to families’, the educators undermine in this scenario? Please list 3 areas that are undermined.
2. Identify which required service policies and procedures you would refer to in this situation.
3. Why is it important to share the information about the behaviour of the educators?
4. Who would you share this information with?
5. What would be an advantage of your supervisor raising and discussing the policies at a staff meeting?