Student Work Practice (Placement)
We’re very keen to hear from parents or early childhood centres who would like to host our students on student work practice (placement).
Our placement area includes all of Auckland, as far north as Matakana. Our students complete placements in early childhood centres and with families. Student work practice (placement or practicum) is designed to give the student experience of childcare and early childhood education as well as infant care and household tasks so they can develop their practical skills in a supportive and encouraging environment.
Placements occur throughout the year and last two to four weeks. If you are interested in providing an early childhood centre placement please contact us directly and we will provide full details.
When undertaking a family placement our students come every weekday and will look after your children and organize fun activities for them. They will also complete simple cooking and home management tasks but they will also need a significant amount of support and guidance. While we have a large number of mature students, a lot come straight from school. To qualify for a family placement you need two or more children or babies at home most of the working week. (Students will accompany you to playgroups, playcentre etc) Your student will visit you before any placement so you get to know each other, agree working hours, and judge your general compatibility before you commit!
The Academy makes safety checks on every student in terms of the Vulnerable Children’s Act on your behalf. In the light of these safety checks the Academy is satisfied that any student sent to you will be safe to work with children. If asked a family must agree to complete police conviction checks. Students need to be supervised on placement at all times, and the Ashton Warner Nanny Academy takes no responsibility for the consequences of any actions or inactions of the student while on placement with you. We try to make sure that the student will meet your needs but our frist priority is always the educational needs of the student.
What the students will do on family placement
- Find out from you what are the general rules and customs of your household, and establish how you require your children to be cared for
- Help provide educational and fun activities for the children
- Undertake household tasks that are associated with the children
- Keep a daily written record of their work on placement
- The student’s primary task is childcare, and household tasks associated with the children. They are not in the home to undertake household cleaning tasks.
- The student must not be left in sole charge of children or babies during placement.
What the students need from you
- Tell the student about your general approach to childrearing, and to discipline – students are not permitted to smack children
- Tell the student about what works best for each child, and detail any special needs and interests
- Give the student detailed instructions regarding the routine of each child and what you expect them to do each day
- Give the student the opportunity to complete all the tasks detailed on their feedback checklist
- Encourage and support the student and praise accomplishments (and let them know tactfully if they need to make changes)
- Understand that the student is entering an environment with new demands. Be patient and talk through any problems that arise
- Be available to complete the feedback form with the student and staff member when they visit half-way through the placement
- Be prepared to be completely honest regarding areas where the student needs to improve. This can be emotionally challenging!
- Assist if you can with simple assessment tasks set by the Academy and sign-off any tasks as required if appropriate
- Provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for the student to practice, and advise the Academy of any safety incidents
Note: By clicking on the button below and submitting an application form for student placement you confirm you have read and fully understand the conditions of placement outlined above and you will comply with them to the best of your ability