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,” “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.

Protecting Program Integrity and Confidentiality

• Never discuss staff or program issues with participants.

• All information about children and families must remain confidential and may only be shared with program staff to support the child’s care. 

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. 😊

How we speak to children, families, and staff 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.