Practicum Model

In each semester, students are placed in day-care sites to gain practical experience and apply knowledge learned in classroom course work. A unique component of the TRU ECE program is the program's partnership with the Cariboo Child Care Centre located on the TRU campus.

For each of the two Year 1 practicum courses, ECE students participate in the 3-5 year old programs at Cariboo Child Care.

For the third practicum, ECE students are placed at a full-day or half-day early childhood program site in the Kamloops region for an extended period on time.

A critical component of practicum is the opportunity to transfer learning from the on-campus experiences to another early childhood program. ECE students observe or participate in a community setting in each of the three practica in the ECE diploma.

In the Special Needs Educator post-diploma certificate practicum, students fully participate in a licensed community early childhood program with a certified ECE. Students may also have the opportunity to job shadow a community professional as a component of practicum.

In the Infant and Toddler Educator post-diploma certificate practicum, students fully participate in 2 licensed community infant and toddler programs under the direct supervision of certified and experienced Infant and Toddler Educators.