Leading Complexity in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

Leadership and leading are performed within Australian and International early childhood education settings and organisations within a complex arrangement of policy and practices. This subject explores those complex arrangements of regulation, compliance, policy, and pedagogy. Students will develop knowledge of the various systems and arrangements within early childhood organisations and convey understandings in real world scenarios. Students will therefore use the case-based method to interrogate and apply their administrative, adaptive and enabling leadership practices. By engaging in a dialogue on complexity, students will prepare for leading in an environment of disruption, disequilibrium and innovation.

Syllabus

Complexity and the changing context for early childhood education The complex landscape of the early childhood field and early childhood education sites-historical overviewRegulation, law and policy in early childhood education-a critical analysis The early childhood education field and site as a complex adaptive system Introduction to complex adaptive systems and … For more content click the Read More button below. Next steps in complexity leadership theory Complexity leadership theory and application in early childhood educationAdministrativeAdaptiveEnablingCreating dynamic presentations and asserting perspectives

Complexity and the changing context for early childhood education

The complex landscape of the early childhood field and early childhood education sites-historical overview
Regulation, law and policy in early childhood education-a critical analysis

The early childhood education field and site as a complex adaptive system

Introduction to complex adaptive systems and site based ontology
Exploration of complex adaptive systems-non-linear, dynamic, emergent systems
Mapping of early childhood environments and complex adaptive systems

Next steps in complexity leadership theory

Complexity leadership theory and application in early childhood education
Administrative
Adaptive
Enabling
Creating dynamic presentations and asserting perspectives

Assessment items

1. Complexity Case Study Analysis

2. Interview with a Leader

3. The Early Childhood Organisation Through a Theoretical Lens

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

develop and apply a body of knowledge on early childhood policy, regulation, compliance and quality measures

analyse national and international early childhood education policy and interpret implications for practice within sites of early childhood education

apply cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts regarding early childhood professional landscapes and leadership at an abstract level

compose and translate notions of early childhood education leadership complexity through interview processes

demonstrate mastery of theory through the evaluation of practice through a theoretical lens

Learning resources

Additional resources required by students

This subject will include contemporary government and sector reports that illuminate the complexity of the early childhood education field. These resources will be updated at the beginning of each session of delivery of the subject and are, for example, Report on Government Services, Productivity Inquiry Reports, Closing the Gap reports, … For more content click the Read More button below. The following are considered foundational to any subject in early childhood education: Early Childhood Australia. (2016). Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics Early Childhood Australia. Unicef. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention

This subject will include contemporary government and sector reports that illuminate the complexity of the early childhood education field. These resources will be updated at the beginning of each session of delivery of the subject and are, for example, Report on Government Services, Productivity Inquiry Reports, Closing the Gap reports, Rural and Remote Education policy and initiatives, International Early Years Strategies, OECD reports, international policy documents and the most up to date regulations and laws.

The following are considered foundational to any subject in early childhood education:

Early Childhood Australia. (2016). Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics Early Childhood Australia.

Unicef. (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child. https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention

Handbook