Childhood Studies: Analyzing Ethical Dilemmas in Early Childhood

This assignment presents a case study involving an early childhood professional in Australia who encounters a situation where a child's mother arrives at the kindergarten under the influence of alcohol. The assignment analyzes the ethical and legal obligations of the professional, considering the stakeholders involved, including the child, the mother, the professional, and the school authority. It delves into the challenges faced by early childhood professionals and explores the application of the Australian Code of Ethics to guide decision-making. The analysis includes identifying the issues for each stakeholder, investigating the legal and ethical responsibilities, and formulating a response based on ethical principles. The assignment emphasizes the importance of child safety, parental responsibility, and the professional's role in creating a healthy and safe environment. The student provides a detailed analysis of the situation, including short-term and long-term goals, communication strategies, and the role of the school authorities and counselors. The conclusion underscores the complexities of ethical dilemmas and the importance of adhering to ethical and legal obligations for the welfare of the child.

Running head: CHILDHOOD STUDIES
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Name of student:
Name of university:
Aauthor note:

1
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Introduction:
The scenario that I need to analyze and reflect upon is that of Lee’s condition in the
kindergarten. One day I found that Lee’s mother, Anna has come to receive Lee and I could
sense she was in an intoxicated condition. On enquiring her about her condition she was said
that she was alright and tried to avoid the situation by saying that she had to pick up Lee’s
sister from the school. The distance between Lee’s home and the school is not in close
proximity, therefore it makes me as an early childhood professional practicing in Australia
makes me worried about Lee as well Anna’s safety. Given this situation, I engage in the
analysis of the situation by identifying the different stakeholders and each of their issues.
Secondly, I reflect upon my ethical and legal obligations in the context of this scenario an
thirdly I would provide my response to the situation based on the Australian Code of Ethics.
Analysis:
In the given scenario, it can be witnessed that Lee’s mother, Anna has come to collect
Lee from the kindergarten. As an Early Childhood Professional at Lee’s kindergarten, I was
astounded to find that Lee’s mother was under the influence of the alcohol as there was a
stench smell of alcohol from her mouth. In addition, her eyes red and she looked quite
awkward. On enquiring about her well-being, she responded that responded in a rather
uncomfortable manner. Seeing her in this alcoholic condition, I felt it would not be
appropriate to allow Lee to drive along with her. This is because there is a large distance
between the kindergarten and her home. The stakeholders involved in this issue are Lee (the
child), Anna (Lee’s mother), me and the approved, that is the school authority. As I have
identified the three stakeholders in this scenario, now the turn is to identify the different
issues for each of the stakeholders. For Lee as well as Anna this situation calls for
maintaining safety. The school authority needs to ensure that parents are strictly oriented bout

2
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
their behavior in the school premises. In my case as an early childhood professional it is
important to for me to communicate the matter to Anna, Lee’s mother in sensitive manner so
that it does not lacerate her sentiments but at the same time convinces that it is illegal,
unethical and dangerous to drive car under the influence of alcohol.
Investigation:
After fathoming the sensitivity of the case, it is important to discuss the legal and
ethical obligations that emerge in the light of my duty as an early childhood professional. It
has been found that the key challenges in the lives of early childhood professionals is the
sporadic professional and personal dilemmas of people working close together in an
atmosphere of helping and supporting one another and the promoting the values of change
and learning. The choices made by the teachers are not obvious as sometimes they are
dependent on the specific resources, predetermined expectations or the timeframes.
Dilemmas arise due to the power imbalance between the teacher and the families (Ortlipp,
Arthur & Woodrow, 2011). As it can be understood from the above situation, there is a clear-
cut hierarchical relationship shared between Lee’s mother, Anna and me (the early childhood
professional). In this Anna might feel disempowered as she is advised to not drive the car.
She may also feel that her right as a parent to take back her child from the school is also
being encroached upon. Aporia is an important aspect of the dilemma, as the parents may not
know the outcome of the decision. According to the Australian Code of ethics, codes are
important in guiding the teachers about the decisions in the light of the early childhood
professionals facing dilemma (Coombe & Newman, 2011). In this case, I would adopt the
value-based personal principles where it would my duty to come out of my initial inhibitions
and advise Anna to not drive the car as it posits threat for her as well a her child. The early
childhood professional is expected to comply with the obligations in the legislations. I t is

3
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
enshrined in the Australian Code of Ethics that in case the legal obligations are not adhered to
properly there will be penalties on the approved provider, individual educator and the
nominated supervisor (Davis, 2009). This further compels to seek the decision of not
allowing Anna to drive back Lee as it may bring injury to both. It is my ethical responsibility
advocate my profession and provision the care and quality of education to my students.
Response:
Based on the given situation, it is important for me as an early childhood professional
to place myself in the shoes of Lee’s mother, Anna and understand her concern. It may be
assumed that Anna was trying to avoid further communication with me thinking that I woud
intervene her and she would have to answer my questions. This would make her feel
uncomfortable as has been seen that she was feeling uneasy throughout the course of the
conversation. The value that is involved in this issue is integrity. It is not ethical for a parent
to arrive at the school of her child in a state of intoxication. Therefore, it is the breach of
moral obligations and parental duty. According to the Australian code of Ethics, the role of
an early childhood professional is to act in the best interest of the children and create a
healthy and safe environment for the children (Fenech, Sumsion & Shepherd, 2010). It is also
the duty of the early childhood professional to enhance the relationship between the families
and the children through my professional practice. The short-term goal in this case would be
to immediately refrain Anna from driving the car under the intoxicated condition, as it would
be dangerous for the as well her child. It would take me time to explain her legal as well as
ethical consequences of driving car in intoxicated state. The long-term goal in this respect
would be to prevent similar situations so there is no replication of the present incident. I
would inform the incident to the school authorities (another stakeholder or the approved
provider) about Anna’s condition. This would be followed by seeking appropriate measures

4
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
In this case it would be separately calling Anna and enquiring to her about her intoxicate
state. Since it is a sensitive issue, the counselor of the kindergarten will also remain present
so as to understand what might have provoked Anna to arrive in the school in a miserable
condition. It may be found that Anna is going through personal crisis and resorting to alcohol
is a respite for her. If this turns Anna into an alcoholic and a repeat offender of driving car in
intoxicated condition (that is already prohibited by the law), it is important for the school
community and me to step into the matter for a long-term process. This is because Anna’s
supposed state of personal crisis based on her body language and alcoholic condition may
affect the domestic atmosphere and interfere with the learning and growth of Lee as well as
her sister (Sorin, 2005). It may also be discovered later that under the intoxicated state Anna
has turned violent towards her children and therefore, not practicing her moral obligations as
a parent. According to the Australian Code of Ethics, the duty of the early childhood
professional is to enrich the learning experience of the child through a balanced approach that
contributes to her/his well being. Therefore, it is my obligation to ensure that Lee is able to
find a compatible atmosphere of learning in his home so that it promotes his holistic
development. Ensuring that Lee is presented with the necessary resources and favourable
condition to learn and grow is part of my professional values as an early childhood
professional (Australia, 2006). It is important to communicate to Anna that the school
authorities would not tolerate such actions.
Conclusion:
From the above discussion, it can be stated that an early childhood professional have
to adhere to a complex process of ethical dilemmas combined with legal obligations for the
welfare of the child. In this case, I have responded, analyzed the scenario, and reflected upon
my role in conformity with the Australian Code of Ethics.

5
CHILDHOOD STUDIES
Reference list
Australia, E. C. (2006). Code of ethics. Early Childhood Australia.
Coombe, K., & Newman, L. (2011). Ethics in Early Childhood Field Experiences. Journal
for Australian Research in Early Childhood Education, 1, 1-9.
Davis, J. (2009). Revealing the research ‘hole’of early childhood education for sustainability:
A preliminary survey of the literature. Environmental Education Research, 15(2),
227-241.
Fenech, M., Sumsion, J., & Shepherd, W. (2010). Promoting early childhood teacher
professionalism in the Australian context: The place of resistance. Contemporary
issues in early childhood, 11(1), 89-105.
Sorin, R. (2005). Changing images of childhood: Reconceptualising early childhood practice.
Faculty of Education, University of Melbourne.
Ortlipp, M., Arthur, L., & Woodrow, C. (2011). Discourses of the early years learning
framework: Constructing the early childhood professional. Contemporary issues in
early childhood, 12(1), 56-70.