Mapping the Field of Early Childhood Leadership

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Abstract

This subject focuses upon issues related to the Early Childhood context, and the role of leadership in the field of Early Childhood and care. It takes as its central premise the construction of leadership philosophies, and specific knowledge and skills for application to challenges of leading pedagogy, curriculum and mentorship of staff. It examines leadership in its broadest sense, as encompassing the informal as well as formal practices of those in a range of roles within Early Childhood settings. The subject expects students to interrogate their own leadership practices to research into Early Childhood settings.

Syllabus

Knowing the impact of leadershipBuilding personal courage and resilienceImproving practice through reflection and inquiryLearning relationshipsLearning conversationsTeamwork and professionalismAccountability for resultsDeveloping a strategic vision through shared leadershipCollaboratively building strategic and political acumenPlanning for sustainabilityMonitoring organisational improvement

Assessment items

1. Authentic case-based scenario

2. Project-based learning scenario

3. International System Analysis of ECEC Leadership

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

be able to critically reflect on the importance of the role of Early Childhood educators in building a culture of learning partnerships as a means of enhancing early childhood learning;

be able to evaluate effective leadership approaches for the development of learning strategies in relation to the alignment of pedagogical and curriculum development in early childhood settings;

be able to critically reflect on the key role played by administrators in fostering early childhood leadership, ongoing professional development, collaborative dialogue, and the alignment of all resources within an early childhood setting;

be able to analyse and deconstruct key research findings in relation to leadership for learning models and strategies for early childhood settings; and

be able to apply leadership strategies to enhance collaborative capacities and foster learning within early childhood settings.