Making the transition from student teacher to professional can be challenging. From field experience placements, or "pracs," to the early years in the classroom, this text provides a comprehensive and practical guide to help every early childhood student develop their professional expertise and confidence.The authors prompt students to bring together theories learned at university with ways of working with real children in real settings, framed by the principles of recognizing equity and diversity. There is clear guidance on how to be successful, including understanding the many roles teachers are expected to take on, and the important relationships they need to build. Lesson planning, understanding curriculum documents, and fail-safe strategies for teaching in a wide range of situations, and with children from wide-ranging backgrounds, are all covered in depth. Suggestions for tutorial activities and further reading accompany each chapter, prompting students to engage in critical reflection and self-evaluation, while the "On track on prac" feature will help student teachers monitor and review their progress. Readers are also provided with insights from "real world" teachers. This is an essential text for all students undertaking practicums and preparing for the first years of their professional careers.