4.1 Pre-Placement Requirements
Best Practices in the ECL Program
Action Item
As emerging early childhood leaders, we acknowledge that our professional regulatory bodies set forth standards of practice that hold us accountable as students, as emerging professionals, and as practising professionals. The College of Early Childhood Educators, the College of Social Workers, and the Ontario College of Teachers are key professional regulatory bodies that students may register based on their chosen pathway to early years professions and/ or graduate studies.
In the B.ECL program at Fanshawe College, we promote within the classroom, field practicum and internships, the following professional practices:
- Inclusion & Professionalism: Students and faculty are expected to act in a professional manner that supports and represents our role as early childhood educators and leaders. This means we act with respect, are inclusive in language, and in actions and are mindful at all times of age, appearance, ability, beliefs, culture, family composition, gender, race, socio-economic, and sexuality and how each area of diversity is to be respected.
- Behaviour & Attitude: The Student Code of Conduct applies both in class and on any practicum placement.
- Perception: Students are expected to dress respectfully with an understanding that we, as a profession, always strive to educate the public on our value as professionals. To be accepted as professionals, we must act professionally.
- Confidentiality: In class and on practicums, students are required to always maintain confidentiality regarding the children and families they interact with, as well as community partners and peers. Students will respect the confidentiality of all discussions in class.
- Academic Integrity: Students will follow the Fanshawe Academic Offence policy and the expectations of individual professors within the program. All written work will be submitted to Turnitin and will use APA Referencing. Any late papers/assignments will be deducted 10% per day unless the student has prior approval for an extension.
- Technology: Individual professors will discuss with your class their requirements regarding the use of technology in the classroom (cell phones, laptops, etc.).
- Social Media: Each student will do their utmost to consider their social media footprint and consider the content they post on social media accounts so that their professionalism is always maintained.
Permissions – Release of Student Information to Agency
The permission to release information is an agreement between the student, College, and Early Years Agency (Community Partner) regarding the Freedom of Information and Protection of Individual Privacy Act.
Action Item
Students must sign off on these permissions by completing the quiz in the ECL1 Homeroom.
Synergy Requirement
Action Item
Students must complete all field pre-placement requirements (Clinical/Field Pre-Placement Process) by the due date assigned by Fanshawe College and your Field Coordinator. Failure to do so may result in a withdrawal or delayed practicum.
Health and Safety Standards
Your future career in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) requires you to meet specific health and safety standards before you can begin your first clinical/field placement. Why?
- To protect you, your placement agency co-workers and those individuals you will serve during placement;
- To meet regulations set out by Ontario law;
- To meet placement agency requirements before joining their organization.
For more information, talk to your Pre-Placement Coordinator (Jill Bourque), who will also send all enrolled students an email with information about this process.
Additional Information
Here is the Fanshawe College link to the list of documents and conditions which must be completed as part of your pre-placement requirements in the ECL Program: Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (ECL1) – Post Admission Requirements
Visit page 4.1 Pre-Placement Requirements to access this link.
Here is the Fanshawe College link to the list of documents and conditions which must be completed as part of your pre-placement requirements in the ECL Program: Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership (ECL1) – Post Admission Requirements | Fanshawe College
Medical Clinic on Campus
All students have access to the Fowler Kennedy medical clinic. The clinic can complete all medical forms related to pre-placement and administer vaccinations.
Agency/College Support Letter
An Agency/College Support Letter from Fanshawe may be required by your local police agency in order to process a PVSC. If your local police agency accepts only original, signed documents, please contact the Pre-Placement Coordinator.
Fanshawe’s Agency/College Support Letter (London Campus)[PDF]
FANCard
Your FANCard is your official Fanshawe identification card. Your FANCard also has your built in bus pass. Simply tap your FANCard when you board any London Transit Commission (LTC) bus.
Action Item
Prepare a name tag: Either purchase in the Bookstore or use a lanyard and Fanshawe College ID.
Action Item
Additional Training or Orientation: Students must also attend training, orientation, or program policy review sessions with their Early Years practicum agency.
Action Item
Reach out to your Agency Mentor prior to beginning your practicum. It is suggested you contact them by phone or email one to two weeks prior to your start date. This provides you an opportunity to introduce yourself, clarify your expected time of arrival on your first day, and ensure you have attended any mandatory Agency orientation.
Student Testimony
Image Description
Kyla, ECL Student
“To prepare for my field placement, I began by reviewing the field placement manual to better understand my roles and responsibilities and to set a few goals I wanted to achieve throughout my placement. Additionally, I feel that the courses from the first semester did a good job of preparing me for placement, as they provided me with a solid understanding of child development, pedagogy, and knowledge on how to support children as curious, competent and capable learners. I was also fortunate to have previous experience working with young children in both a school and home childcare setting, which made me feel more confident and prepared as I began my placement.”
Student Testimony
Kyla, ECL Student
“To prepare for my field placement, I began by reviewing the field placement manual to better understand my roles and responsibilities and to set a few goals I wanted to achieve throughout my placement. Additionally, I feel that the courses from the first semester did a good job of preparing me for placement, as they provided me with a solid understanding of child development, pedagogy, and knowledge on how to support children as curious, competent and capable learners. I was also fortunate to have previous experience working with young children in both a school and home childcare setting, which made me feel more confident and prepared as I began my placement.”
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