A code of ethics is a set of statements about appropriate and expected behaviour of members of a professional group and, as such, reflects its values.

The Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics was first developed in 1990 by a national working party, with considerable input from the early childhood field. The 2003-06 Code of Ethics Agenda resulted in a new Code of Ethics, which was endorsed at Early Childhood Australia's National Council meeting in September 2006.

The Code of Ethics is owned by the field, rather than imposed upon it.