Students

EDST8803 – Professional Practice: Infant and Toddler Curriculum and Pedagogy

2026 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Sheila Degotardi
sheila.degotardi@mq.edu.au
Contact via via ilearn dialogue
614, 25B WW
by appointment
Tutor
Komal Ingreji
komal.ingreji@mq.edu.au
Contact via Via ilearn dialogue
Level 6, 25B WW
by appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MTeach(0-5) and EDST8800 and EDST8801 and EDST8802
Corequisites Corequisites
EDST8209
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

This unit explores the fundamentals of early childhood pedagogies and professional practice. With a focus on intentional teaching with children birth to two, the students will engage with principles of respectful, responsive and relationship-based pedagogies. Students will integrate these principles with their understanding of play-based learning and early child development to critically examine how best to support the learning and wellbeing of very young children. Students will develop an understanding of the planning cycle, ethical and reflective practice and the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0. Students will demonstrate these foundational theoretical and professional understandings and skills during professional practice with children aged birth to two (birth to 35 months).

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Critically analyse and evaluate different approaches and practices to health and wellbeing with infants and toddlers in the Australian context.
  • ULO2: Situate and reflect on their developing professional identity within the historical, social, and policy context of high-quality infant-toddler professional practice.
  • ULO3: Research and apply an understanding of respectful, responsive and relationship-based pedagogies for very young children.
  • ULO4: Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood curriculum and how intentional, play-based teaching practices are used to promote the learning and wellbeing of very young children.
  • ULO5: Document and interpret observations of young children’s learning and wellbeing with reference to early learning and development and relevant current government frameworks.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate the capacity to work professionally, ethically, and draw on a reflective approach to early childhood practice and self-development.

General Assessment Information

Full instructions for each assignment, including the assessment criteria can be found in the assignment guide attached to the EDST8803 iLearn site.

ASSIGNMENT PRESENTATION AND SUBMISSION 

  • All written assessments must be submitted electronically. Please format assessments using 12-point font and 1.5 spacing. Submissions must meet the required file type and formatting specifications outlined in the assessment guidelines. If you are unsure about the file format or have technical difficulties, it is your responsibility to seek assistance before the submission deadline. Students should be careful to check that they submit the correct file for an assessment as no re-submissions will be accepted after the due date and time, including instances where students upload an incorrect file. It is not the responsibility of unit staff to contact students who have failed to submit assessments. If you have any missing items of assessment, it is your responsibility to contact the unit convenor.  

  • Turnitin plagiarism detection software is used to check all written assessments. It is the responsibility of all students to ensure that their submitted work is in a format compatible with Turnitin software for plagiarism checking. Students can use Turnitin’s Originality Report as a learning tool to improve their academic writing if this option is made available in the unit.  
  • Word limits are strictly applied, with + or – 10% applicable. Work above the word limit will not be marked. 

    Academic Integrity 

    Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic integrity (see: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3).  

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Students should be aware of and apply the University policy on academic integrity (see: https://policies.mq.edu.au/document/view.php?id=3). 

Special Consideration / Late Penalties

Applications for extensions must be made via Service Connect.

Late Submission policy

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day to late submissions, up until the 7th calendar day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.   

Important to note: ·

  • Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs) will be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. 

    Students should not request an informal arrangement from their tutor, lecturer or Unit Convenor (or equivalent).  

    Where an application for Special Consideration is approved and the outcome is an extension to the due date of a task, submissions that are received after the new due date will be subject to late penalties that are calculated from the new due date. This only applies where the outcome is an extension to the due date – see the Special Consideration Policy for a schedule of all possible outcomes. 

    A Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic.  

    Applications must be made via Service Connect.    

 
 

Marking

All assessments are graded using a rubric, with feedback comments provided by the marker.

Marking of all assessments is moderated by the Unit Convenor.

University Policy on Grading

Assignments will be awarded grades ranging from HD to F according to guidelines set out in the University's Grading System and University Assessment Policy.   

To attain a pass or higher grade in Professional Experience a student must obtain a satisfactory in both the Professional Experience component and a pass or higher grade in the academic component. For Professional Experience units the Professional Experience Evaluation Report is marked as Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory. The Macquarie Teaching Performance Assessment (MQTPA - in final WIL/PEx units) is marked as Not met, Met or Exceeds.  

Results

Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed because they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit Service Connect.

Withdrawing from this unit

If you are considering withdrawing from this unit, please seek academic advice via Service Connect before doing so as this unit may be a co-requisite or prerequisite for units in the following sessions and may impact your course progression.  

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Professional Portfolio 1: Foundations of intentional teaching with infants and toddlers. 50% No 06/09/2026 Individual Yes Open
Professional portfolio 2: Professional experience documentation and critical reflection 50% No 08/11/2026 Individual No Open
Professional Experience Evaluation Report 0% Yes Submitted by your Supervising Teacher in week 13 Individual No Observed

Professional Portfolio 1: Foundations of intentional teaching with infants and toddlers.

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 06/09/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open

Students submit selected reflections and tasks from a professional portfolio that they will commence in Week 1.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and evaluate different approaches and practices to health and wellbeing with infants and toddlers in the Australian context.
  • Situate and reflect on their developing professional identity within the historical, social, and policy context of high-quality infant-toddler professional practice.
  • Research and apply an understanding of respectful, responsive and relationship-based pedagogies for very young children.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood curriculum and how intentional, play-based teaching practices are used to promote the learning and wellbeing of very young children.

Professional portfolio 2: Professional experience documentation and critical reflection

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 08/11/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Open

Students submit and critically reflect on selected documentation from the professional experience portfolio.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and evaluate different approaches and practices to health and wellbeing with infants and toddlers in the Australian context.
  • Situate and reflect on their developing professional identity within the historical, social, and policy context of high-quality infant-toddler professional practice.
  • Research and apply an understanding of respectful, responsive and relationship-based pedagogies for very young children.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood curriculum and how intentional, play-based teaching practices are used to promote the learning and wellbeing of very young children.
  • Document and interpret observations of young children’s learning and wellbeing with reference to early learning and development and relevant current government frameworks.

Professional Experience Evaluation Report

Assessment Type 1: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Submitted by your Supervising Teacher in week 13
Weighting: 0%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach: Observed
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

The student is on Professional Experience placement. This report is submitted by the supervising teacher as an assessment of the student's placement success. It is marked as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically analyse and evaluate different approaches and practices to health and wellbeing with infants and toddlers in the Australian context.
  • Situate and reflect on their developing professional identity within the historical, social, and policy context of high-quality infant-toddler professional practice.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the early childhood curriculum and how intentional, play-based teaching practices are used to promote the learning and wellbeing of very young children.
  • Document and interpret observations of young children’s learning and wellbeing with reference to early learning and development and relevant current government frameworks.
  • Demonstrate the capacity to work professionally, ethically, and draw on a reflective approach to early childhood practice and self-development.

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • Academic Success for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

TUTORIAL CLASSES AND LECTURES

Content delivery commences in week 1 of the session. Content is delivered as follows:

  • Short lectures (approximately 15-20 minutes) are delivered online through ECHO360. In general, there are two short lectures per week. Students are required to watch these prior to the relevant weekly tutorial or study time.
  • Tutorial worksheets are available for each week, and are available in the relevant week sections on ilearn. These will support weekly learning so students must download and read them before their weekly tutorial / study time.
  • Weekly textbook and related readings are specified on iLearn and students are required to complete these before their tutorial / study time. 

Tutorial Expectations: 

  • Attendance at all tutorials is required and the roll will be taken. Make up tasks will be given if attendance is missed to ensure all content is covered to meet accreditation requirements. 
  • Face-to-face Weekday Students: 2-hour on-campus tutorials, which occur during the weekly timetabled times, commence in week 1 and continue to week 10.  Tutorials are structured to include whole and small group discussions and tasks, as well as independent work. Effective preparation (see above) is required, and attendance is compulsory.  
  • Infrequent Students: are expected to work independently through most tutorial tasks (as specified in the tutorial worksheets). Some content will be completed during the two full day scheduled on-campus session (see below for dates). Attendance at these sessions is compulsory.

Structure

The unit comprises weekly online short lectures and a 2-hour tutorial (weekday students) or self-study tasks (infrequent students). In the tutorial tasks, you will explore issues and questions arising from the the prescribed readings and the lectures. You are expected to base your responses, arguments and discussions on evidence from your text book and other relevant material. The ilearn site will provide links to required and additional readings, as well as other required and useful resources and videos. Lectures will also be available through Echo in iLearn. During your on-campus tutorials, you are required to participate in small group activities, whole class discussion, to read the weekly material in advance, and to complete brief tasks either as individuals, in pairs or in small groups. The weekly program for the course with the accompanying readings/ preparation is available on the following pages or on the unit iLearn site.

REQUIRED TEXT AND READINGS

There are two required texts:

*  Degotardi, S., Salamon, A., & Stratigos, T. (2025). Intentional Practice with Infants and Toddlers: Pedagogies for Learning, Development and Wellbeing. Cambridge University Press

This is a compulsory text which you will need each week to be able to work through the tutorial tasks and complete your portfolio assignments. EDST1518 students receive a 40% discount by using the code in iLearn.

*  Australian Government Department of Education (2022). Being, Belonging, Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (v2). Australian Government Department of Education for the Ministerial Council

UNIT WEBSITE AND STAFF CONTACT

This unit has a full web presence through iLearn. You will need regular access to a computer and a reliable internet connection to complete this unit.

Weekly lectures are available on the web through the ECHO360 lecture component.

Various activities and materials for discussion and critical reflection are included and all students are expected to use this web component. Information about the required textbook and other electronic links are be included in the Unit Learning Resources section.  

Bi-Weekly access to iLearn is compulsory for all students. In addition to links to the online lectures and readings, important assessment information and announcments will be posted here, as will other relevant unit notices and materials that will assist your studies.

Access and technical assistance

This unit requires students to use several ICT and software skills:

  • Internet access: The iLearn site contains materials for this unit; it is also required for the online submission of all Assessment Tasks, and for the use of Turnitin submission for ALL tasks.
  • Word processing, visual representations, and document formatting: You are required to use an appropriate form of software to present your assignments.
  • Uploading of assessment tasks to iLearn.

Information for students about access to the online component of this unit is available at https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/index.php. You will need to enter your student username and password. Please do NOT contact the Unit Convenor regarding iLearn technical help. Assistance is available from IT Helpdesk: via email onehelp@mq.edu.au or Ph: 9850 4357 or 1800 67 4357. On Campus: Ground floor at 18 Wally’s Walk.

Unit Schedule

 

Please note: The weekly 2-hours of content covers (a) the specific concepts that are required professional knowledge for infant-toddler professional practice, and (b) the practical skills required for your professional practice. Time is provided for students to work on their portfolio tasks.  Attendance at tutorials is compulsory, and students must attend on time. Leaving early is permitted only in extenuating circumstances. Students who miss whole or parts of tutorials may be asked to submit the tutorial tasks to demonstrate an appropriate level of engagement with the content.  

 

Week starting 

Topics  

Preparatory Readings 

1: 27 July 

Orientation to the unit, the ECE context and to professional practice.  

Textbook: Introduction (stop reading at ‘The Educator in Focus’), and Chapter 1 (stop reading at ‘Relationships’) 

EYLF sections – Vision 

2: 3 Aug 

The intentional, critically reflective teacher 

Textbook: Introduction (from ‘Educator in Focus to end), then Chapter 1 (from Relationships to end).  

EYLF sections: ‘Early childhood pedagogy’ and ‘Critically reflective practice’. 

Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics (attached to week 3 ilearn) 

3: 10 Aug 

Fundamentals of quality infant-toddler professional practice 

Promoting health and wellbeing. 

Textbook: Chapter 2 

EYLF sections: Principles and Practices 

4: 17 Aug 

The infant-toddler curriculum  

 

Learning environments and materials 

Textbook: Chapters 3 and 4 (from Microsystem: Intentional Environments to end) 

5: 25 Aug 

Understanding and developing knowing, thinking and theorising 

The fundamentals of observing 

Textbook:  Chapter 8 

EYLF sections: Assessment and Evaluation and The Planning Cycle (pp.25-28). 

EYLF Outcome 4 

6: 31 Aug 

Understanding and fostering language development and learning  

Interpreting your observations 

Textbook: Chapters 7 and 11 (start at Planning and implementing engaging and meaningful learning experiences) 

EYLF Outcome 5 

EYLF sections: Assessment and Evaluation and The Planning Cycle (pp.25-28). 

7: 7 Sept 

Building emotional wellbeing 

Fundamentals of planning – from observation to learning intentions. 

Textbook: Chapter 6  

EYLF sections: Assessment and Evaluation and The Planning Cycle (pp.25-28). 

EYLF Outcome 3  

8: 14 Sept 

Creating a culture of relationships and connections  

Fundamentals of planning – Documenting your teaching intentions    

Textbook: Chapters 9 and 11 (from Planning and Implementing to Effective and respectful use of digital documentation) 

EYLF Outcome 1 and 2 

Mid Session Recess 

9: 5 Oct 

Learning through the arts  

Are you PEx-ready?  

Textbook: Chapter 10  

Your Professional Experience Guidelines, Expectations and associated documentation   

10: 12 Oct 

Professional Experience Placement week 1 

11: 19 Oct 

Professional Experience Placement week 2 

12: 26 Oct 

Professional Experience Placement week 3 

13: 2 Nov 

Completion of professional requirements 

  

 

 

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

School of Education Procedures

In addition, the following policies and procedures of the School of Education are applicable in this unit.

Academic Progression Policy 

This unit is a part of a professional course listed on Schedules 2 and 3 of the Academic Progression Policy. This course has additional requirements that are applicable for the full duration of the course, including course-specific Inherent Requirements, Fitness to Practice requirements and other compulsory course requirements. It also has rigorous academic progression standards. Inability to meet these requirements may result in a withdrawal of offer of admission and/or permanent exclusion from the course in accordance with the General Coursework Rules.  

Fitness to practice in a Professional Experience unit  

Macquarie University operates under a ‘Fitness to Practice’ model as specified in the University's Academic Progression Policy.  For this unit, this means that, when undertaking a placement, a student is declaring that they are able to demonstrate professional competence, acceptable professional behaviour, freedom from impairment, and compliance with program specific requirements needed for a student to practice properly and safely throughout their Practical, Clinical or Professional program or unit. It is the responsibility of the student to determine whether they are fit to undertake a placement. Therefore, if a student is feeling unfit to undertake a placement, they should not do so. For more information see the Academic Progression Policy.  

Attendance and Participation

Please note that tutorials commence in week 1 and attendance each week is compulsory. 

See the University timetable for information about when classes begin in this unit. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au). Students are required to attend the tutorial in which they are enrolled. Any changes to tutorial enrolments must be completed officially through e-Student. Please do not contact the unit convenor to request a change.  

There is an attendance requirement in this unit. Initial Teacher Education (ITE) degrees must ensure that teacher education students meet unit learning outcomes, course learning outcomes and the Graduate level of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers. Since units are within an accredited ITE degree, Macquarie School of Education is required to demonstrate these outcomes and standards have been taught, practised and assessed. To meet ‘taught, practiced and assessed’ accreditation requirements, ITE units have mandatory attendance, with an expectation of at least 80% attendance at tutorials. Please see your unit iLearn site for details of how to meet attendance requirements in this unit. 

 Infrequent Attendance Students  

Information about the dates of the on-campus sessions can be found in the university timetable. Creating your timetable - Enrolling | Macquarie University, Sydney (mq.edu.au)  

  • The on-campus sessions are essential to student engagement and learning and attendance is expected.   
  • Prior to the on-campus sessions, students should have read the prescribed readings and listened to the lectures, summarise the main points, and make notes of the key terms and definitions. Prepare any discussion questions of your own that you wish to share.  
  • Please make effective use of the online component of the unit and access iLearn regularly. Keep up to date with listening to the lectures on a weekly basis.  
  • Further details and any updates about times and locations will be posted on iLearn as an Announcement during first half of the semester.  

Professional Experience Unit Expectations

  • Important Professional Experience information can be found on Education Commons – see iLearn for details of how to self-enrol in Education Commons  

  • Students must have submitted written assessment tasks and/or completed associated unit requirements scheduled prior to the commencement of the block.  

  • Students who are completing a unit offered by another Department are expected to inform and negotiate with that unit convenor about their professional experience block dates and discuss how that unit's requirements can be met. For some situations it may mean that a student is enrolled externally for that unit so that attendance for tutorials for that unit is not impacted.   

  • Feedback from Placement Support Team and/or Tertiary Supervisors and/or Supervising Teachers is of a general nature. It is incumbent on the student to check the requirements of any assessments or Professional Experience written tasks prior to submission.  

  • Students may not be able to commence their placement until all alleged academic honesty breaches have been investigated and resolved.   

  • The timing of placements can vary. For placements early in the session, fail grades may be approved by the university prior to the end of session for students who do not meet the placement expectations of the unit.  

Communication

It is the student’s responsibility to check all electronic communication on a weekly basis.  Communication may occur via:  

  • Official MQ Student Email Address  
  • The Dialogue function on iLearn  
  • Other iLearn communication functions  

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Changes from Previous Offering

An additional assignment - Assignment 1 Quiz - has been added to the unit to support students to prepare adequately for the Professional Experience element of this unit.

Assignment 3 (Professional Experience Portfolio) has been changed to ensure that students complete all required documentation while on placement.

Unit information based on version 2026.01 of the Handbook