On the website Focus on Ethics: Ethical Issues-responsibilities and dilemmas I thought the questions of “Does it concern right and wrong, rights and responsibilities, human welfare, or individuals’ best interests?” very helpful.  When answer no to these questions it is not an ethical dilemma but if yes is answered to one of those questions then there is an ethical dilemma.  This is laid out nicely and easy to understand and to put it into practice.  Also the step by step to ensure the best decisions on the website CECE- Ethical Decision Making was also very helpful.  A couple of points within the steps that stuck out to me was:

  • Avoid making assumptions about the motivations of others
  • Document your decisions

This step by step process seems like a long process to go through when faced with an ethical dilemma but I think it is valuable.  I especially like this because I like to think about things before I react.  This website will be very helpful for me as I continue my career.

The example of the ethical dilemma of a child needing to nap during the day vs. keeping that child awake during the day so it accommodates their family life at home was an interesting example as I have always viewed this as a philosophical view rather than an ethical dilemma.  I’ve in the past viewed ethics as common sense.  Asking myself throughout my practice if I am protecting the individual’s privacy or rights.  I would proceed based on how I would like others to treat me and my privacy.  Through my learning in this class and this program I have learned the importance of having a code of ethics written down and unified.  Everyone has different comfort levels.  The idea of whatever I am comfortable with is universal to all individuals is not a very good ethical code to work by.

I found the definition between ethical responsibilities and dilemmas and what the difference is very informative as I was considering them the same.  I’ve learned that responsibilities are mandates ie. Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia Code of Ethics and dilemmas are a choice between two actions. The needs and interests of an individual must give way to those of another when in an ethical dilemma.  When I was providing family childcare I was always finding myself in ethical dilemmas or examples of ethical responsibilities.  Lots of my families were already existing family friends or new friends as we got to know each other.  Sometimes the professional and social lines can become blurred and that was hard to navigate.  I am finding that it is easier to navigate the ethics within the work place now that I work in a centre.  This is because of a few differences one being that my hours are shortened so I am rarely at work for the drop off and pick up times so I do not have that same connection with families, the second being that my own children are not involved with the children in the centre so that is easier to keep the two worlds separate.