Are you currently enroled in an early childhood course? In this case, you’ll get to do a practical placement, which is super important. It’s not just ticking a box for your course; it’s your chance to bring everything you’ve learned to life. Plus, if you do a great job, it might even help you land your first role. Like my student B., who got a job offer during her placement!

Why Practical Placement Matters

First things first, let’s talk about why placement is so important. In courses like Certificate 3 and Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, practical placement is a mandatory requirement. You need to clock in those hours (160 for Certificate 3 and 280 for Diploma) to graduate.

But placement goes way beyond just ticking a box. It’s your chance to take all that knowledge you’ve been absorbing in class – the textbooks, PowerPoint, lectures – and apply it in a real-world setting with real children.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Here’s where the magic happens. You’ll get hands-on experience in early childhood environments, interacting with children of different ages and learning how to manage a classroom. Plus, with a bit of luck, you’ll gain invaluable knowledge from your supervisors and mentors – experienced educators who can share their practical wisdom from years on the job. For example, I learned most of my songs and puppet tricks from my wonderful supervisor – Sharyn.

Placement as a Stepping Stone

On top of that, practical placement can be a fantastic stepping stone into your early childhood career. If you impress during your placement, show initiative, and build good relationships with the staff, you might just get offered a job! My student, B., is a perfect example. During her placement, she did such a great job that the centre offered her a position. Talk about completing your placement while getting paid!

Finding the Right Centre

Alright, now that you’re pumped about placement, let’s talk about how to find the perfect centre for you.

Your journey starts with making sure the centre is a good fit. Here are some key things to consider:

• ACECQA Approval: This is a must-have! Make sure the centre is approved by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA). The centre for your work placement should be a registered and regulated ELC.
• Age Groups: Think about the age group you’d like to work with. Some centres cater to all ages, while others might specialise in infants, toddlers, or preschoolers. As part of Certificate 3 requirements, you have to complete a lot of tasks with different age groups, including babies under 12 months old.
• Splitting Your Hours: Did you know you can do your placement hours across multiple centres? This can be a great way to gain experience in different settings. For example, I did my placement for my Bachelor’s Degree in LDC, in council – based run centre and in a preschool. We also were encouraged to visit at least 5 more different centres as part of our research.

Reaching Out to Centres

When it comes to contacting your potential placement centres, you’ve got a few options:

• Phone Call: Phoning the centre directly can be a great way to make a good first impression but be prepared to leave a message if they’re busy.
• Email: Sending a polite and professional email outlining your interest in a placement is another good approach.
• In-Person Visit: If you’re feeling brave, consider dropping by the centre in person to introduce yourself. Just be mindful of their schedule and try to avoid peak times.

Leveraging Your Network

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when it comes to finding a placement.

• TAFE or RTO Support: Your trainer or assessor might have connections with local centres and can be a great resource.
• Word-of-Mouth: Chat with family, friends, colleagues, and even other students who might have placement experience. Facebook ECE forums can also have some interesting suggestions.

Securing Your Placement

Once you’ve found some potential centres, it’s time to secure your placement. There are a few ways to approach this.

• Placement Agreement: Often, your RTO or TAFE teacher/ trainer or placement coordinator will help you find a placement and set up the agreement with the centre. The agreement needs to be signed before you go out on placement.
• Working with Children Check: This is a mandatory requirement before working with children in Australia. You will need a free volunteer check.
• Application Process: Some centres might ask you to submit a resume or even interview for a placement position. Others might be more informal, getting to know you through conversation.

Remember, that centres are often busy and might not respond right away. Be patient, polite, and persistent in your attempts to connect.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Centre

Now that you know how to find centres, let’s talk about the factors to consider when making your decision

• Location: Think about how far you’re willing to travel for your placement. As part of my Monash uni course, I signed the agreement that I would have to travel at least an hour to my placement. I had to go where they had sent me.
• Public Transport: If you’re relying on public transport, make sure there are good options available.
• Flexibility: Does the centre offer flexible placement hours that fit with your schedule? Most students I teach, have children and often need school hours for placement.
• ACECQA Rating: Centres receive an overall rating from ACECQA. A higher rating indicates a higher quality service – choose the centre with a Meeting, Exceeding or Excellent rating (if you are lucky)!
• Online Reviews: Checking out Google reviews or other online platforms can give you some insights into the centre’s reputation.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

However, it’s crucial to stay vigilant for RED flags indicating a less-than-ideal environment. These include:

• Signs of a toxic workplace culture,
• Lack of cleanliness,
• Encounters with educators who are rude or unsupportive,
• Feeling unnoticed or ignored,
• Observing unsafe or disrespectful practices towards children.

These signs can indicate a centre that may not provide the supportive environment you need. Change your centre then!

Good luck with your placement quest!

Post any questions in the comments below!