Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies - Ontario

Workplace learning

The aim of the professional experience component of the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program is to enable students to put into practice advanced knowledge and skills developed through the program and to reflect critically on their practice and the knowledge that informs it. This approach is designed to facilitate the development of a community of practice within the University program and beyond, and provide a model that students may continue to work with following graduation. It sets up an initial local community of practice with the potential for graduates as expert practitioners and critically reflective professionals to be members of a much broader community of practice in provincial, national and international settings.
                            
There are two professional experience placements in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies program. The first is associated with the course Communities as Contexts for Professional Practice and will be undertaken in Term 1 of the second year. The experience period is 21 days in duration and specific arrangements will be made with the site.

This professional experience will be undertaken in an early childhood service where students will be able to work directly or indirectly with children, families and the community in which the service is located. For example, regulated and/or licensed full-day and half-day child care, nursery schools, early years programs and junior / senior kindergarten.

The second professional experience is associated with the course Leadership in Early Childhood Education and will be undertaken in Term 2 of the second year of the program. The experience period is 20 days in duration and specific arrangements will be made with the site.

This professional experience will be undertaken in an early childhood setting where students will be able to take on a leadership role which could include the types of services listed above. Other possibilities include resource centres, research centres, private home child care agencies, colleges and government agencies.

Alternative models for either professional experience may be negotiated with individual students and services to meet the needs of part-time employed students in the program.

N.B. Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences.

Criminal Record Check 

Students may be required to undergo a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put children’s personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

Prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a Vulnerable Sector Police Record Check  may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a program and/or employment opportunities after completing the program.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Program Director.