E 

Expectations and protocols should also be clearly established. These should include:
– communication: with each other, with parents and students, with administration
– strategies for classroom management,
– the appropriate way to express concerns,
– conflict resolution,
– confidentiality,
– ethics and professionalism,
– use of non-violent crisis intervention and/or restraint procedures,
– administration of medication and emergency procedures.

Support Personnel

It is the policy of ETFO:

1. That paid support personnel be responsible to the principal of the school.

2. That the evaluation of support personnel be the responsibility of the principal and vice- principal.

3. That teachers and support personnel be provided additional preparation time within the students’ 

instructional day to plan and communicate.

4. That district school boards provide appropriate training for teachers and support personnel to 

enhance the effectiveness of teachers and support personnel working together.

5. That district school boards provide appropriate training for support personnel that is relative to the 

condition of his/her student(s).

Building and Maintaining Positive Professional 

Full-Day Kindergarten Team Relationships

As of September 2014, Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) will be fully implemented in Ontario. FDK classrooms 
have a team of two educators who work collaboratively as partners to provide a full-day of learning for 
four and five year olds. 

DECEs (Designated Early Childhood Educators) are registered members of the College of Early Childhood 
Educators (CECE) and are obligated to adhere to the Ethical and Professional Standards of Practice for 
Early Childhood Educators.

The majority of DECEs in Ontario are members of one union, ETFO, CUPE, or OSSTF. Some DECEs are 
still not represented by a union. FDK teachers are members of the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT) and 
governed by their Ethical Standards and Standards of Practice and are members of ETFO or OECTA. DECE 
and Teacher collective agreements differ from local to local and as such can create misunderstandings. 
These misunderstandings can be avoided if each one understands the collective agreement language 
and entitlements. 

FDK is a unique partnership. Here are some strategies and suggestions for you to consider to help build a 
positive and professional working relationship with your partner: 

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