In the Early Childhood Education Program we believe that learning is based on an intricate balance of theory and practice. The field practicum experiences provide learning opportunities that can be expanded and clarified with the theoretical knowledge gleaned from classes. Therefore we
recommend that, whenever possible, students enrol in a field placement course in conjunction with their other classes. It is considered in the students’ best interest that there is no separation of theory and practice.
Field Placement courses must be taken sequentially: Field Placement: Introduction to Practice
Field Placement: Fundamentals of Preschool Practice Field Placement: Expansion of Practice
Field Placement: Consolidation of Practice
1. It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with all aspects of the field placement process, including course outlines, policies, field placement requirements, and particularly the evaluation package.
2. Students may not begin placement until they have completed all their pre-placement requirements and have obtained clearance from Conestoga College’s Practicum Services Department.
3. Students are expected to work their full shifts as assigned by their cooperating teacher and to complete the placement attendance log. The length of shifts can vary from placement to placement. Students who will be absent from placement are required to notify both the centre where they are placed and their Field Placement Associate at the college prior to the start of their shift that day. Phoning the centre is the preferred method to indicate an absence from
placement.
4. Students who require special shift considerations due to extenuating circumstances must
negotiate this with their cooperating teacher at the beginning of placement. The Field Placement Associate in consultation with the Field Placement Officer must also approve any altered shift arrangements.
Placement Associate or Introduction to Practice instructor to review the situation and develop a plan for completion of the placement. Students may be required to produce written
documentation such as a doctor’s note to validate the reasons for their absences. Refer to document on eConestoga titled, Make-up Days for further information.
6. Students may request in writing, to their Field Placement Associate, to have up to two make up days waived provided that the circumstances surrounding the absence are extenuating and verifiable (i.e. injury, surgery, family health, bereavement) and the placement is progressing satisfactorily. A request to have these days waived must be submitted as soon as possible after the absence has occurred. The decision to waive make up days is made by the ECE Field
Placement team. These days are monitored and recorded in the student’s placement file. A decision on waiving days will be made after a mid-term evaluation has been received.
7. Absenteeism from placement due to vacations and/or work may result in having to withdraw from the placement course as per the Attendance and Student success section of the ECE program handbook.
8. Students will be required at times to confidentially conduct observations and/or gather
information at their field placement sites as part of various class assignments. Students are asked to communicate with their cooperating teacher and the centre supervisor about this as soon as possible and to be sensitive to the program needs when deciding when and how to conduct the observations or gather information. It is hoped that placement sites will be able to make time available to the students for this purpose. Please be aware that there may be cases when the student will have to return on an alternate day or be at placement beyond their assigned shift time in order to complete their class obligations. Students are also required to ensure
appropriate permission forms for observation/photos/videotaping have been completed. 9. In accordance with the “Submitting Assignments” information in the ECE Program Standards
Handbook, no field placement documents will be accepted after the last day of the semester unless the student has made prior arrangements with their Field Placement Associate or Introduction to Practice instructor.
10. Students who have not completed all required hours or children’s learning and development experience requirements by the end of the semester might be eligible for an Incomplete. This would be negotiated with their Field Placement Associate in consultation with both, the Field Placement Officer and the Program Coordinator as well as the placement site before the end of the semester. If the Incomplete is approved the student may be granted an extension to return to the placement and complete the outstanding items or they may be granted permission to carry over some items to their next placement. Specifics about the terms will be outlined using the college’s incomplete form.
11. Students who complete all required hours and children’s learning and development experiences by the end of the semester but do not successfully pass the field placement course may be eligible for a supplemental. If the student’s mark is between 50 and 59 they may be an eligible candidate for a supplemental. The student will follow the supplemental process described in the ECE handbook and pay the required fee as per information in the Conestoga College Student Guide.
12. In the event that a students’ placement is terminated by the placement site during the semester, the Field Placement Officer will review the events leading to the termination. A consultation with
a Program Team will occur. The student will be required to meet with the Field Placement Officer. Based on the evidence gathered a final decision will be made that may result in one of the following: a student may be required to drop the placement course, accept a Fail for the course, or possibly be relocated to a new placement site. The time of the semester in which the termination occurred, and the factors involving the termination will be contributing factors in determining next steps.
13. In placement 3 or 4, students may request that their placement be carried out in one of our atypical settings. Students who are interested in an atypical placement should discuss their intent with their Field Placement Associate. Students must follow the required process for applying for an atypical placement. Details pertaining to this process are covered in field placement seminar class and can be located on eConestoga.
14. Only the placements scheduled in a given semester are offered. Please be mindful of this if you choose not to complete the required placement in the semester you are enrolled in.