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Early Childhood Care and Education - Frequently Asked Questions

When can I do my practicums (ECE 121 and 122)? You may enroll in practicums after completing ECE 112 (Curriculum), submitting a satisfactory Criminal Records Background Check from your local law enforcement office to the Office of Vice President of Student Affairs, and creating a plan with the Practicum Instructor.  (You will be permitted to register when all steps have been completed.).

Where can I do my practicums?  A site must be agreed upon with the Practicum Instructor, you and the affiliating agency.  An affiliating agency must be a facility in good standing with their accrediting/licensing/registering agency.  The affiliating agency must have personnel who have training in Early Childhood, Child Development or Early Childhood Care and Education (equal to or higher than the program of study in which you are enrolled) in order to have appropriate knowledge to evaluate the practicum student.

At what times will my practicum be scheduled?  You will work cooperatively with your practicum instructor and site supervisor to establish the time for practicums.  This time must be when children, students or clients are active and learning.  Six hours per day are required for practicums (3 hours per course).  The practicums are conducted during the last half of each quarter beginning the day after mid-term and will last through the end of the quarter.  Four days per week the student is at the affiliating agency for simulated work experience and the fifth day will be at CGTC for practicum seminar.  Generally seminars are held on Mondays on the Macon Campus.

What about special problems concerning practicums?  Any concerns or problems must be discussed with the Practicum Instructor in advance during the Advisement/Registration period so that alternatives may be explored.

Why are practicums taken together at CGTC?  In order for students to get a better picture of what transpires during the day at a facility, students must be there for more than the 3 hours required by one course.  Being in the facility for 6 hours per day allows the student to participate in more of the critical transitions of the day.  Additionally planning time is available as children rest in the early afternoons.  Meeting with the site supervisor is a critical component in the planning/implementing/evaluating process of practicums.

What if I have already taken a practicum at another college?  You will be allowed to register for the one practicum you need after meeting all of the criteria discussed above.  You will then have an adjusted schedule or hours in a work site and seminar which will be planned with the Practicum Instructor.

Who gets to do their practicums in the Early Childhood Learning Center?  Student who excel in their course work may be invited to conduct their practicum experience in the Lab.

What are the requirements for ECE 224 - Intership?  The same procedures are followed for internship as are utilized for practicums for selecting a site and setting hours.  The major difference is the total number of hours.  Students are expected to complete 35 hours per week at the simulated work site.  This course is a 12 credit hour course. One hour of work is considered submitting course work to the internship supervising teacher.  Students participating in internship are required to attend the Kick-off seminar scheduled before the first day of classes of the quarter.  Therefore students must pre-register for internship.