Family child care providers are held to high standards and expectations for professional behavior. Read the standard below adapted from Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals: Working with Family Child Care.

Standard: The provider of family child care to young children demonstrates a view of professional development as a career-long effort and responsibility. This includes engaging in personal learning as a daily and as a career-long effort and responsibility to inform instructional practices and interactions with young children.

The provider must understand:

• How to engage in continuous learning that is essential in effectively providing care and education
• How to apply effective practices
• Which behaviors demonstrate professional and ethical behavior

Think about your own work with children and families in your home. Respond to the three areas of professionalism described below:

1. What are examples of continuous learning that you have experienced, such as:

   • Attended a professional workshop
   • Searched for resources about early care and education
   • Completed an online webinar focused on early care and education
   • Incorporated new learning into daily practice with children and families
    

2. What are some ways you apply effective practices, such as:

   • Reflect on personal beliefs and ideas about children’s development and learning
   • Reflect on success or challenges of being a family child care provider
   • Create a warm, emotional climate for each child and family served
    

3. What are some ways that you demonstrate professional and ethical behavior with the children and families you serve, such as:

   • Explain the importance of family child care to others (including families)
   • Describe personal philosophy about family child care
   • Establish professional boundaries with children, families, and fellow family child care professionals