This unit includes an on-campus component and a minimum of three weeks of workplace learning in a child care setting, working with children aged birth to 24 months. In this unit pre-service teachers explore the Quality Improvement and Assessment System (QIAS) processes and the relevant State Child Care Licensing Regulations. Pre-service teachers examine ways of observing, planning and implementing experiences for infants and toddlers. Features of effective childcare routines which promote the health, safety and well being of infants and toddlers will also be studied.

This is a Designated Unit involving a Professional Practice placement in a school/centre where students gain essential practical experience of school life. The placement provides a critical opportunity to connect theory with practice and develop the fundamental knowledge, dispositions, understandings and competencies of a beginning teacher under the guidance of experienced professionals.

A Designated Unit is defined in the University Rules: Admission, Enrolment and Academic Progress Rules as, “a unit or unit of competency which a Faculty Board has designated as a fundamental course requirement and may only be attempted once”.

University Rule 26 (6) states, “Where a student has failed a Designated Unit, the student shall be excluded from the course unless otherwise determined by the Board of Examiners, and the student’s academic progression status will be ‘excluded’ ”.

Students should refer to the Professional Practice Rules and Procedures available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac for further information regarding Professional Practice.

All students are required to be available during the scheduled Professional Practice periods as per the School of Education Calendar which is available at: http://www.education.ecu.edu.au/prac and to give a full-time commitment to the school/centre during the scheduled days.