High-quality placements are an important part of pre-service training and play a critical role in growing the early childhood workforce. They give students practical, real-world experience. This helps them build confidence and develop the skills they need to work in early childhood education.
For services, hosting students is a chance to identify potential employees and support students’ development. It helps students better understand the role of a teacher or educator.
Hosting students helps create an environment of mentorship, collaboration and learning. It’s also a chance for existing staff to learn from new ideas and perspectives.
Supporting the future early childhood workforce
Pooh Bear’s House is a long day care service in Croydon North. It’s proudly rated Exceeding under the National Quality Standard.
The service hosts students on placement throughout the year. It provides mentoring, induction and promotes of best practice.
Creating positive experiences
Before starting placement, the leadership team at Pooh Bear’s House plan carefully. They know the importance of involving students in daily operations.
A mentor invites the student to the service to get to know the environment and meet the team.
On their first day, the mentor provides an induction. This includes the service philosophy, policies, child safety practices and code of conduct. Each student has a tailored learning plan in line with their course requirements.
The mentor checks in throughout the placement and offers guidance and feedback. This helps the students feel supported, valued and confident in their contributions.
Kim Russell, owner and centre director at Pooh Bear’s House, sees great benefits in hosting students. This includes the chance to identify and mentor future educators who share the service’s values.
‘When students receive support through well-defined systems and a constructive organisational culture, placements generate mutual benefits and significant professional rewards,’ Kim said.
Child safety obligations and responsibilities
A fact sheet is available to help students understand their child safety obligations and responsibilities while on placement.
Tertiary education providers provide the fact sheet to their students before they start a placement.
To access the fact sheet, refer to the Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program webpage.
Find out more
For more information about the range of courses available through the Department’s Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program, visit: Early Childhood Tertiary Partnerships program.
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