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Early Childhood

Welcome to the Early Childhood Professional Experience program

The Vision

In line with its mission, that emphasises “a fundamental concern for justice and equity, and the dignity of all human beings,” the Australian Catholic University aims to empower its students, graduates and academics, as accomplished and articulate advocates for the rights and responsibilities of all children within their professional, community, outreach, and research contexts. The University aims to provide effective leadership in upholding and critically reflecting on the implementation of the mandates of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child through its national and international role in early childhood teacher education and research.

The Program

Our office aims to support our partners in the program: our Associate Early Childhood Educators, our ACU Representatives and our ACU pre-service educators as they participate in the professional experience component of the early childhood education program.

The Faculty of Education delivers the course in early childhood education. There is a staged program consisting of three tiers - the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, Bachelor of Teaching (Early Childhood) and Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary).

The Professional Experience program aims to provide opportunities for pre-service educators to apply and reflect upon a diverse range of professional practices appropriate for children in early childhood settings. Through participation in a developmental sequence of professional experiences appropriately positioned throughout the course pre-service educators come to appreciate the complexities of the early childhood environment and the commitment and responsibility required of those entering the early childhood profession. The high standard set by our pre-service educators in past years is a model to be maintained by those entering this new program in 2008 - the inaugural year for the course.

To ensure the ongoing quality of the program we welcome your feedback at any time and more formally at the completion of each practicum.

Expectations for each year level differ and, naturally, increase as pre-service educators gain confidence and experience. Through the on-going support of early childhood service providers and close collaboration between Associate Educators, ACU Early Childhood Representatives and Early Childhood Professional Experience Coordinators, ACU pre-service educators are provided with the opportunity for growth and learning in a welcoming early childhood service provider community.

The Australian Catholic University, Canberra Campus, extends its appreciation to all participants involved in the program.

Please follow the links below to further information about the following

Early Childhood Professional Experience Contact Details

Early Childhood Course Coordinator

Carolyn Harkness
Ph: (02) 6209 1217 Fax: (02) 6209 1185
Email: carolyn.harkness@acu.edu.au

Professional Experience Administrator

Kerry Wightman
Ph: (02) 62091195   Fax: (02) 6209 1185
Email: kerry.wightman@acu.edu.au
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays only.

Address

Room 235, Signadou Building, Australian Catholic University – Canberra Campus. 223 Antill Street, Watson, ACT, 2602. PO BOX 256, Dickson, ACT, 2602.

Please note the above business days for the Professional Experience Office. If the phone is unattended please leave a message or call reception on (02) 62091100. If your call is urgent please phone the Early Childhood Course Coordinator or alternatively send an email or fax.

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