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Professionalism
Professionalism is at the heart of everything we do. It means being respectful, responsible, ethical, and team-oriented, while demonstrating strong communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills. When these qualities come together, they define how we represent ourselves, our team, and our program.
Professional Conduct Expectations:
Use appropriate language and tone at all times.
Conversations must remain appropriate for a child-friendly, professional environment.
Topics that are strictly prohibited include:
Profanity
Sex, drugs, or alcohol
Political or religious opinions
Personal beliefs or ideologies
Gambling, relationships, or violence
Class, racial, or cultural degradation
The following terms are never acceptable:
“retarded,” “gay” (used in a derogatory way), “lame,” “sucks,” “dumb,” “crap,” “stupid,” or any racial slur.
Gossip and Conflict
Gossip, venting, or negative talk about staff, families, or participants—whether in person or on social media—is not appropriate.
If you have a conflict with a coworker:
Discuss it outside of program hours in a professional manner.
If no resolution is reached, bring the issue to your supervisor.
In some cases, staff may be reassigned if necessary.
Protecting Program Integrity
Never discuss staff or program issues with participants.
Doing so undermines the program and damages trust with children and families. This behavior will not be tolerated.
Non-veRBAL cOMMUNICATION
Your nonverbal communication—including posture, facial expressions, gestures, and tone—often speaks louder than your words. In a childcare environment, where children are constantly observing and learning from adults, your nonverbal cues have a powerful impact.
Children and adults alike will pick up on how you carry yourself, so it’s important to be intentional and aware of what your body is communicating.
Body Language
Your posture, gestures, and expressions all contribute to how others perceive you.
Avoid crossing your arms, which can appear defensive or closed off.
Unsure what to do with your hands? Try gently pressing your fingertips together in front of your chest to appear engaged and open.
Stay relaxed and open—this helps children feel safe, welcomed, and ready to connect.
Eye Contact
Making eye contact shows that you are engaged, respectful, and actively listening.
It helps build trust and reinforces that the person you're speaking with has your full attention.
Smile!
A genuine smile goes a long way. It communicates friendliness, warmth, and openness.
Smiling is contagious—it helps set a positive tone for the day and encourages others to smile too. 😊
Verbal Communication
How we speak to children, families, and coworkers plays a huge role in building trust, respect, and positive relationships. Your tone, word choice, and delivery matter just as much as the words themselves.
Tone of Voice
Use a calm, kind, and positive tone at all times.
Never yell at children—firm does not need to mean loud.
Be aware of how others can perceive your message. Remember, it is not just what you say, it is how you say it.
Think before you speak:
Would I say this the same way to the child if their parent was listening?
Greetings
A simple “hello” or “goodbye” helps build a connection with children, parents, and coworkers.
Greet children by name to show that you see them and care about them individually.
These small gestures create a welcoming and respectful environment.
Word Choice
Be intentional with the words you use.
Think before you speak:
Would I say the same thing to the child if their parent was present?
Rather than saying, “Stop talking,” try:
“Can you please keep your voice down during homework? It can be hard for others to focus.”
Framing requests politely and explaining the why helps children better understand expectations—without feeling bossed around.
Avoid sarcasm and joking that could be misunderstood or perceived as offensive.
Always share sensitive or personal information privately.
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