Legal and Ethical Responsibilities

The ECA Code of Ethics is my heart and compass. I live its eight core principles every single day:

• A two-year-old boy became extremely distressed every time we transitioned indoors after outdoor play. Instead of physically carrying him (previous practice), I recognised this breached his right to bodily autonomy and participation (Principle 1.1 & 1.4). I introduced a predictable transition song: “Walking, walking, walking, walking… walking to the door. Let’s see, let’s see, let’s see, let’s see… who can get there first?” Within two weeks he began singing along quietly; by week three he ran ahead shouting, “I’m the fastest! I’m first!” This simple change respected his agency, reduced distress, and modelled co-regulation for the whole group.

• I treat families as genuine co-educators through daily OWNA learning stories, fortnightly Family Communication Book questions, and relaxed six-monthly summative meetings. Last year we hosted a lantern-making evening where all families gather together from different nations: Vietnamese, Chinese, Latin American, and Australian families worked side-by-side with their children, sharing stories and songs in multiple languages. One father told me “I have never felt so welcome in Australia”. These reciprocal partnerships (Principle 2.1 & 2.2) have dramatically reduced separation anxiety and created a true sense of extended family in our room.

• I noticed our dress-up corner reinforced gender stereotypes with only “pink princess” and “superhero” costumes. After reflecting on Principles 3.1 and 3.3 (social justice and anti-bias practice), I co-created a “Who Do You Want to Be Today?” corner with children and families: doctor coats, hijabs, Vietnamese áo dài, construction vests, and kookaburra wings made from recycled materials. A boy who previously avoided dress-ups immediately chose the bright pink hijab and declared, “Today I am a doctor-princess!”