04 SepFostering Professionalism and Respect in Your Workplace
As we celebrate Early Childhood Educator’s Day on 4 September 2024, it’s a perfect opportunity to reflect on the vital role you, as employers, play in shaping the culture of your early childhood education workplace. Professionalism and respect aren’t just values we hope to see—they’re the foundation of a thriving environment where both educators, teachers and children can flourish.
Why Professionalism Matters
Your educators and teachers are entrusted with guiding children through some of the most critical years of their development. To do this effectively, they need a work environment that supports them—one where mutual respect and professionalism are the norm.
When you foster a culture of professionalism, you’re not just ensuring that your team follows policies and procedures. You’re creating an environment where challenges become opportunities for growth, where educators feel empowered to collaborate, and where the quality of education improves as a direct result.
Following a Code of Conduct
A well-defined code of conduct serves as an essential guideline for professional behaviour in your workplace. As leaders and employers, it’s crucial that you not only implement these guidelines but also embody them in your daily interactions with staff, families and the wider community.
This includes maintaining confidentiality, being punctual and reliable, showing empathy and understanding in our interactions, and committing to ongoing professional development. This isn’t just about following rules – it’s about living the values that you wish your team to impact to the children in their care.
Adhering to Workplace Policies and Procedures
Clear workplace policies are your tools for promoting a respectful and inclusive environment. These policies protect your employees, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and supported. As an employer, your vigilance in upholding these standards sends a strong message: that every team member deserves respect and that any behaviour undermining this will not be tolerated.
It is essential to encourage educators and teachers to recognise behaviours that undermine this culture and take appropriate action, whether that means to speak up, or offer support to those who may need it. When your educators and teachers know that you take these issues seriously, they feel secure and more focused on their role—providing exceptional care and education to the children in your service.
Creating a Culture of Respect: Your Role as a Leader
Creating a positive and professional workplace culture is a collective responsibility that starts with you. By being kind, respectful, and supportive of one another, adhering to harassment and bullying policies, and following a code of conduct, we can ensure that our work environment reflects the values we wish to instil in the children we teach.
When you lead with respect, your educators and teachers will follow suit. Let us remember that the way we treat each other not only affects our own wellbeing, but also serves as a powerful lesson for the next generation. Together, we can create a nurturing and professional space where both teachers, educators and children thrive.
Empower your team with ELAA’s resources
Employee Management & Development Resource – Early Learning Association Australia (elaa.org.au)
Shop Resources – Early Learning Association Australia (elaa.org.au)
Other relevant resources to support professionalism and respect in early childhood education and care sector
Standard 4.2: Professionalism | ACECQA
QA4_BelongingAnd BecomingForEducators.pdf (acecqa.gov.au)
TheQuestforQuality_QA4_2.pdf (acecqa.gov.au)
Creating positive workplace relations: Self-guided learning package (acecqa.gov.au)
ECA Code of Ethics – Early Childhood Australia
Professional conversations (aitsl.edu.au)
Managing Challenging Conversations (nsw.gov.au)
SAEW Project – Early Learning Association Australia (elaa.org.au)
