How early childhood education placements work

What is an early childhood education placement?

Early childhood education placements (also called professional experience or practicum) are supervised teaching experiences undertaken in childcare centres, kindergartens, and preschools (known as Prep in some states).  

Placements are an essential part of becoming a teacher. They’re where you find your rhythm, your confidence, and your connection to the classroom.

Dr Jennifer Cutri, Course Director at Swinburne University, explains, "These placements bridge theory and practice, preparing students for the teaching profession and ensuring they meet the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers and ACECQA National Quality Standard.”

Early childhood education work placement requirements

Depending on your degree and university's requirements, you'll get the chance to step into the classroom a number of times throughout your studies.

At Swinburne, for example, Dr Cutri says students must complete 80 days (20 days per year) of placement during their four-year bachelor degree, progressing from children aged 2-5 in Years 1-2, to infants aged 0-2 in Year 3, and a final "Ready to Teach" placement in Year 4.

But before you can begin, Professor Jeff Brooks, Head of Curtin University’s School of Education, says students must meet essential requirements.

“In WA, all students must meet the appropriate requirements before beginning placements or engaging in child-related work, including Working with Children and a Department of Education Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.”

While requirements vary by state, you’ll usually need to complete: 

• A Working with Children Check  
  A background check that verifies you’re cleared to work or volunteer with children. Each state and territory has their own version (for example, in Queensland it’s a Blue Card).

• Child protection and mandatory reporting training  
  This is training that helps you understand your responsibilities when it comes to keeping children safe, including recognising signs of harm.

• Fitness to practice requirements  
  Confirms you’re physically and mentally fit to work safely with children.

• Administrative essentials 
  Any paperwork or documentation required by your university or placement provider, including ID checks and consent forms.

• Unit prerequisites  
  Specific subjects you’ll need to complete before starting your placement.

How to arrange your early childhood education placement

How you arrange your placement depends on your university. Some universities coordinate placements for you through dedicated teams, while others support you in sourcing your own, with detailed guidance and resources.

Regardless of the model, universities ensure you have everything you need, whether that's direct placement coordination, letters of introduction, guidelines for approaching centres, lists of approved sites, or dedicated student advisors.

How online students complete their work placements

One of the biggest questions people have about studying early childhood education online is how placements actually work. Here’s what you need to know, and why it’s more straightforward than you might think.

When you study through Open Universities Australia, you're enrolled with a partner university that provides full placement support. You can complete your placements locally, no matter where you live in Australia.

University coordinated placements

Some universities, like Curtin, arrange placements for you through dedicated teams who work with early learning centres and schools to match students based on location and requirements.

“Placements are arranged by our Industry Engagement Coordinators, who work directly with schools and early learning centres to match students based on factors such as location and professional experience requirements,” says Prof Brooks.

This model means the university does the legwork of finding and confirming your placement setting.

Student sourced placements with guidance

Other universities, such as Swinburne, support students to organise their own placements.

“We liken it to preparing for applying for teaching roles, because students have to present themselves professionally,” says Swinburne Online lecturer and graduate Tamara Ellis.

Students receive letters of introduction, guidelines for approaching centres, site lists, and advisor support. "Nine times out of ten, we don't find any issues," Tamara says.

When Tamara’s mother passed away during a placement, the university supported her fully. “They put everything on hold whilst I was grieving, and made it really easy to pick back up once I was ready.”

Regional and remote support

If you live in a regional or remote area, your university will make sure distance doesn’t hold you back. You’ll have access to tailored support like online drop-in sessions, Q&A forums, and programs such as the Teach Rural Pre-Service Teacher initiative (or its equivalent in your state or territory), which can link you up with subsidised accommodation if you need to travel for your placement.

You may be given the option to complete all placements in one accessible centre if needed.

The online advantage

Having completed her degree online and now lecturing online, Tamara says online students graduate with strong independence and problem-solving skills.

“They take ownership and accountability, which really feeds into career readiness.”

Sourcing placements themselves also helps students build real-world professional communication and connections, which are often with centres that later become employers.

Learn more: The benefits of studying early childhood education

Where can you do your placement?

You’ll have the opportunity to experience a diverse range of early childhood environments during your placements. Approved placement settings include:

• Long day care centres: Full-day programs for infants through to school age

• Sessional kindergartens: Shorter, intensive sessions that prepare children for school

• Preschools: Standalone or school-attached programs

• Early learning centres: Meeting ACECQA National Quality Standard requirements

• Junior primary classrooms: Occasionally, for dual-qualified programs

All settings must meet quality standards and have experienced educators qualified to mentor pre-service teachers.

Tips for succeeding during your placement

Learn every child's name 

Dr Cutri's top tip: "Learn each child's name as soon as possible and identify one interest from each child – their favourite colour, toy, or pets – for positive connection.”

Build your professional network

"Keep in contact with centres after you're finished,” says Tamara. “It helps with professional connections, and if you end up in a kindergarten position, it makes transition statements easier.”

Communicate proactively

"If you're unwell, contact the university placement team AND the centre before the day of your placement,” says Dr Cutri.

Embrace feedback

You'll receive interim and final reports from mentor teachers. "Our students are very receptive to feedback," Dr Cutri says. "When we get final reports, we see evidence of growth.”

Know the National Quality Standard

Understanding the regulatory framework helps you prioritise health, safety, and wellbeing.

You're assessed against the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers at Graduate level.

"Mentor teachers make professional judgments on performance, and students must meet the standards to successfully complete the practicum," Dr Cutri explains.

Preparation is key

At Curtin, Prof Brooks says there’s a real emphasis on preparation. "The PE Team arrange Professional Experience Briefings with students before their first placement, discussing expectations of professionalism and conduct, as well as what to expect. We discuss finer details like scoping where to park, how to dress, and introducing yourself to appropriate people.”

By the end of your final placement, you’ll understand how every challenge, every breakthrough and every child has strengthened your confidence for the classroom.

FAQs about early childhood teaching placements