The programme includes a compulsory work placement worth 14 credits (equivalent to 350 hours), comprising both an in-house placement and an external placement.
The internal placement (2 ECTS credits – 50 hours) is designed to support and enhance the student’s educational journey through theoretical and practical activities organised by the Department, such as participation in scientific and cultural activities, thematic meetings, and sessions for supervision and reflection on the placement experience. These activities serve as preparation for the external placement. It may be undertaken from the first year onwards.
The external placement (12 ECTS credits – 300 hours) normally takes place from the third year onwards; it is usually carried out outside the University, in particular at nurseries and facilities providing educational activities for the 0–6 age group that have an agreement with the University itself. It consists of practical field experience, for guidance and training purposes, aimed at applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of study. The student is supervised by a tutor from within the University and an external tutor from the host organisation, and concludes the experience by writing a final internship report.
Overall, the curricular placement is designed to support a progressive and reflective learning process, aimed at developing educational professionalism within early years services. By combining guidance, supervision and direct experience in educational settings, the placement encourages reflection on motivations, expectations and the choice of educational and career path.
The placement programme aims to develop skills in observation and listening, planning, documentation and evaluation of the educational experience, as well as an understanding of the role, functions and responsibilities of educators in educational services. Particular attention is paid to understanding the relational and organisational dynamics of educational settings, working within the educational team, and relationships with families and the local community.
The placement also supports processes of critical reflection on the experience, fostering the integration of theoretical knowledge acquired during the course of study with educational practices observed and experienced in real-world contexts, thereby contributing to the development of a professional awareness consistent with the objectives of the degree programme.
Through the placement programme, students are given the opportunity to reinforce their reasons for choosing this career path, develop skills in observation, documentation and critical reflection on the educational experience, gain an understanding of the role of the educator in early years settings, and integrate theoretical knowledge with the educational practices observed in real-world contexts.
The internal placement (2 ECTS credits – 50 hours) is designed to support and enhance the student’s educational journey through theoretical and practical activities organised by the Department, such as participation in scientific and cultural activities, thematic meetings, and sessions for supervision and reflection on the placement experience. These activities serve as preparation for the external placement. It may be undertaken from the first year onwards.
The external placement (12 ECTS credits – 300 hours) normally takes place from the third year onwards; it is usually carried out outside the University, in particular at nurseries and facilities providing educational activities for the 0–6 age group that have an agreement with the University itself. It consists of practical field experience, for guidance and training purposes, aimed at applying the knowledge and skills acquired during the course of study. The student is supervised by a tutor from within the University and an external tutor from the host organisation, and concludes the experience by writing a final internship report.
Overall, the curricular placement is designed to support a progressive and reflective learning process, aimed at developing educational professionalism within early years services. By combining guidance, supervision and direct experience in educational settings, the placement encourages reflection on motivations, expectations and the choice of educational and career path.
The placement programme aims to develop skills in observation and listening, planning, documentation and evaluation of the educational experience, as well as an understanding of the role, functions and responsibilities of educators in educational services. Particular attention is paid to understanding the relational and organisational dynamics of educational settings, working within the educational team, and relationships with families and the local community.
The placement also supports processes of critical reflection on the experience, fostering the integration of theoretical knowledge acquired during the course of study with educational practices observed and experienced in real-world contexts, thereby contributing to the development of a professional awareness consistent with the objectives of the degree programme.
Through the placement programme, students are given the opportunity to reinforce their reasons for choosing this career path, develop skills in observation, documentation and critical reflection on the educational experience, gain an understanding of the role of the educator in early years settings, and integrate theoretical knowledge with the educational practices observed in real-world contexts.