Qualification: NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma for the Early Years Educator
Unit: Unit 2.1: An introduction to the role of the Early Years practitioner
Learning outcome: Understand working relationships in Early Years
Assessment criteria: Explain how a working relationship is different to a personal relationship
Working relationships are different to personal relationships in several ways.
First and foremost, working relationships are formal, professional, and have strict boundaries. For example, they will be restricted by the hours and location of the work setting and governed by your employer’s policies and procedures.
In contrast, a personal relationship will only have the restrictions and boundaries that are imposed by each person. For example, a personal relationship can be intimate, but this would not be appropriate for a professional relationship.
It is important for Early Years practitioners to ensure that they maintain the boundaries of working relationships with colleagues, parents/carers, children and other professionals to ensure that they remain professional and that there are no conflicts of interest.