"Truly joyful" – second-year student Freddie shares his placement highlights
6 February 2026
At Norland, students complete a minimum of 8 different placements in a variety of early years settings, totalling 1,265 hours of extensive hands-on experience putting their knowledge into practice.
In this blog, second-year student Freddie reflects on the highlights from his placement experience so far.
Primary School Placement
“My first placement was in a Year 2 class at a primary school. This felt like a good place to start as I had previous experience working in a primary school and it was an environment I was familiar and comfortable with. Every Monday morning, I attended a staff meeting outlining key events and goals for the week. This made me feel immediately valued as an early years practitioner, as the school were treating me with respect and very kindly welcoming me into their community.
“One of my fondest memories from this placement was the class Christmas play. It was a magical moment seeing the children perform for their families. My role in the play was to help a child with special educational needs and disabilities, who had previously never participated in a class play, to be involved. I supported the child to be the ‘director of music’, a role that allowed them to be involved in a way that suited their skills. Being in charge of playing the music allowed the child to get involved and integrate into the group through this activity.
“My last day of placement was by far the toughest. The teacher of my class announced, shortly after lunch, that it was my last day of placement. This caused absolute pandemonium! Many tears ensued, as they had to let go of their new favourite teacher, Mr Fred. It hadn’t struck me until that moment how much of an impact I could have on children, and likewise their impact on me. Even over the course of four short weeks, I had built such special bonds with these children.
Pre-School Placement
“My second placement took me into a pre-school setting with four- to five-year-olds and it was a truly joyful experience. The room was always buzzing with energy, full of laughter, and the wonderful kind of chaos that comes with younger children exploring their curiosity and learning. I was struck by how much children absorb through play, which is something we learn about on our degree course, and how every small moment at that young age is an opportunity for growth.
“From building towers out of blocks to inventing stories in the role play corner, throughout this placement I saw firsthand just how powerful play-based learning can be. What looked like simple fun was full of opportunities for learning, developing language, exploring creativity, using problem solving and developing social skills all at once!
“I quickly realised that in preschool, social and emotional development is just as important as learning letters and numbers. Many children were still learning how to share, take turns and manage their feelings. I made it my focus to model positive behaviour and gently guide them when little disagreements arose. Encouraging turn taking and helping children find their own solutions gave me a real sense of pride, as those small moments when they worked something out for themselves were so rewarding to witness.
“One of my favourite parts of each day was storytime and phonics songs. Joining in with the children’s enthusiasm and watching their faces light up as they recognised familiar sounds or characters was an amazing experience. I also enjoyed using what I had learned about each child and their interests to encourage them to be engaged in their learning. By closely observing and spotting what interested them most, whether it was dinosaurs, drawing or dressing up, I was able to use that to make their formal learning fun.
“This preschool placement taught me how important it is to create a safe and nurturing environment where children feel confident to explore and try new things. The practitioners I worked alongside were so skilled in using warmth and consistency to make every child feel valued – something that really inspired me in my own practice.
“My appreciation for early years education was deepened through this placement, and the experience showed me the importance of patience, creativity and adaptability in supporting children in the first steps in their learning journeys.
Hospital Placement
“My hospital placement was also an invaluable experience. I was placed in the Children’s accident and emergency department, where I had the opportunity to observe and take part in an environment that was very fast paced. It was an experience that gave me a real insight into how healthcare professionals care for children and support families during what can be a very stressful time.
“One of the main things I got to see was the triage process. Watching the nurses carry out triage was fascinating. They had to stay calm and focused while making quick and informed decisions. I learned quickly how important communication and empathy are, especially when speaking to anxious parents and children who may be in pain or distress.
“Throughout my time in the department, I also had many chances to engage with children and their families. Whether it was helping to distract a worried child with conversation or offering a smile to a tired parent, I saw in practice how small gestures can make a big difference to children and their families. The team in the hospital showed incredible teamwork and compassion, and it was inspiring to see how everyone played a role in supporting not just the patients, but their families too.
“Overall, my placement in the Children’s A&E ward was an amazing learning experience. I gained a deeper understanding of how to help children stay calm in a stressful environment and how crucial good communication is in such a high-pressure setting. It was an experience that strengthened my desire to work with children and reminded me how rewarding it is to make a difference, even in small ways.
Family Placement
“For my fourth placement, I was paired with another Norland student for my very first family placement. At first, I felt quite nervous entering someone else’s home, but once I became familiar with the family’s routines I found it to be one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Norland so far. I was working with two eight-month-old babies who were at a very exciting stage of their development.
“During my time on placement, I had the chance to be involved in baby-led weaning, which was such a valuable learning experience. It was fascinating to see how each baby responded differently to new textures and tastes. This taught me how important patience, encouragement and consistency are during mealtimes with young children, as well as how rewarding it is to see babies develop new skills and confidence with food.
“We also enjoyed several day trips with the family, which gave me a real insight into the practical side of taking young children out of the home. From planning and packing everything in advance to adapting the day to suit their routines, I learned how much preparation and flexibility are needed. It was also wonderful to see how the babies reacted to new environments and how enriching these experiences are for their development.
“Another highlight was organising and attending play dates, where the children had the chance to socialise with others of a similar age. Watching how they interacted through babbling, reaching out and sharing toys gave me a deeper understanding of early social development. It was also a lovely opportunity to speak with other parents and caregivers, learning from their experiences and different approaches.
“Overall, this placement really boosted my confidence in working in a family home. It also helped me develop my communication skills with parents, my teamwork skills alongside another student, and my ability to adapt to a child’s individual needs. What began as a placement I was nervous about turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences I have had at Norland, and I left feeling inspired and motivated for my future career.
“Overall, throughout my first year I have found my placements to be a great measure of how far I have come and my professional development. Both putting what we learn in lectures into practice, and reflecting on what I have learned from each placement and setting has given me a different perspective on myself as a practitioner. From communication skills to noticing how much impact I could have in a nursery setting I have noticed how each placement builds on my experience and skills and I am excited to continue this throughout the next two years and in my Newly Qualified Nanny position as well!
Learn more about placements at Norland
