Practicum Site Information

Practicum sites must meet the following requirements.

• Licensed site for more than one year.
• No licensing non-compliances or findings of serious issues.
• The director or lead teacher has at least two years of experience hosting/supporting college students.
• The director or lead teacher has an early childhood education or human services-related degree or certification.
• Site staff maintain field-specific professional memberships.
• The site uses a quality curriculum.
• The site is handicap accessible.

Practicum hours must meet the following requirements.

Number of Hours

• Students are required to complete 30 practicum hours per course.
• Students enrolled in more than one ECE course with practicum hours must complete their required practicum hours for each course simultaneously.

Recording, Verification, & Reporting of Hours

• Practicum hours must be recorded by the student and verified by the licensed director or supervising teacher.
  • Practicum hours must be rounded to the nearest 10 minute mark. Student should ensure they report their hours accurately according to this rule.
  • Each visit requires signed verification from the licensed director/supervising teacher (classroom practicum site) or parent (non-classroom practicum site). 
    • The signature must be in ink. Typed signatures are not accepted.
• Only official Site Hour Record Forms are accepted.
  • Students should not submit any other form of documentation as proof of practicum hours.
  • If a signature is missing or an unofficial form is used, those practicum hours are not accepted.
• Site Hour Record Forms must be submitted by the posted deadline.
• Students must turn in completed, verified Site Hour Record Forms to the ECE Program Coordinator at the end of the semester.
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Practicum hours cannot begin until the site is approved.

• Ensure students understand that hours logged before approval do not count toward their practicum hour course requirement.
•  Approval notification is sent to the Practicum Site Licensed Director via the email address provided on the application.
  • If approved, a site hour record for the student is also sent.

No Last Minute Practicum Hours

• Practicum hours should be spread throughout the semester rather than accumulated in a short period to support weekly assignments. Rushing practicum hours at the end of the semester does not provide the intended learning experience.
  • Cramming hours at the beginning or end of the semester, counting entire work shifts, or staying at the practicum site for long periods solely to accumulate hours is not acceptable.
• Students should keep track of their hours and aim to complete them steadily over the semester.

Concurrent Hours

• Students enrolled in more than one ECE course with practicum hours must complete their required practicum hours for each course simultaneously.

Falsification of Hours

• Falsification of hours may result in the student failing an assignment, the entire course, or dismissal from the Early Childhood Education Program.
• Any falsification of hours or signatures is a violation of Mid Michigan College’s Student Code of Conduct and may lead to disciplinary action.

Grading of Practicum Hours

• Grading of practicum hours is completed by Mid Michigan College ECE Program instructors or the ECE Program Coordinator.
• Completed practicum hours that meet ECE Program requirements receive credit, while any incomplete practicum hours do not receive credit. 
• It is important that students adhere to the process and deadlines for completing their practicum hours. 
• Always ensure hours are submitted using the official Site Hour Records Form to avoid issues.

Site Visit Scheduling & Documentation

• Students must schedule visits with the licensed director/supervising teacher (classroom practicum site) or parent (non-classroom practicum site) before starting or at the first visit.
• Practicum hours must be documented and verified on the Site Hour Records Form for each visit. For more details, see Practicum Hour Requirements.

Behavior & Safety

• Attendance is critical. Students should notify the site if they will be absent or late, and should avoid attending if they are ill.
• Students must not be alone with children unless they are employees of the site—this protects both students and children.
• Mid ECE students should never have contact with body fluids (urine, feces, vomit, blood, mucus, or other secretions) or be left alone with a child or group of children (including toileting).
• Students must follow practicum site rules and refrain from using cell phones, except for emergencies. 
• Students should park in designated areas as directed.
• Students are expected to dress professionally and follow the practicum site's dress code. Violating dress codes may result in the student being sent home.

Holiday/Spring Break Planning

• Students must plan ahead, considering potential practicum site closures during holidays or spring breaks, as well as the College's academic calendar.

The following sites/tasks are pre-approved for practicum site hours. 

• Head Start (preschool)
• Early Head Start (infant-toddler)
• GSRP (preschool)

The following sites/tasks are not eligible for practicum site hours. 

• Babysitting
• Before and After School Programs
• Sunday School Programs
• Drop-In Programs
• Nanny Work
• Work with Adult Clients

If a student is asked to leave or chooses to leave their practicum site, the following process is followed to ensure that the student and professional partnerships remain in good standing.

Step 1 - Investigation

• Mid's ECE Program Coordinator meets with the student as soon as possible to understand the reason behind their departure, whether it was their choice or a decision by the practicum site.
• If the practicum site initiated the removal, the ECE Program Coordinator contacts the licensed director to understand the circumstances and whether the decision can be reconsidered or if there are concerns that need to be addressed.

Step 2 - Documentation

• Details of the conversation with the student and practicum site, including reasons for leaving and any attempts to resolve the situation, are recorded and placed in the student’s ECE Program file. Documentation includes any actions taken.

Step 3 - Reassignment

• If the student is still interested in continuing their practicum hours, identify a new site that meets ECE Program requirements.
• The ECE Program Coordinator offers guidance to the student on how to approach a new site, what to communicate, and how to avoid similar issues in the future.
• The ECE Program Coordinator assesses the student’s progress and the impact of the practicum site change on their hours.
• The student submits the required documentation for a new practicum site to be approved.

Step 4 - Guidance

• The ECE Program Coordinator ensures that the student is aware of the Program’s policies and the consequences of noncompliance (such as failing to meet practicum hour requirements or failing to follow the proper approval process). If necessary, the Coordinator reinforces the importance of maintaining professionalism in practicum sites and adhering to ECE Program standards.
• In the case of reassignment, the ECE Coordinator meets with the student to clarify expectations for the new placement, including the practicum hours they need to complete, the timeline, and how they should communicate with both the Coordinator and the new site moving forward.