Ebook Leadership In Early Childhood

Leadership in Early Childhood is a practical resource for early childhood practitioners who want to understand how to create successful childcare and early education settings. Leadership in the early years has moved on in the way it is organised, and this fourth edition has been fully revised and updated to reflect the changes affecting leaders in early childhood. This rapid change in the field over the past few years includes moves to professionalise the workforce generally, and this edition recognizes the implications of these developments and revisits some of the concepts and messages. Praised for its excellent overview of early years leadership, accessible writing style and clear links between theory and practice, the fourth edition also includes: Thorough discussion of the leader’s role in moving towards leading/best practice. Reconceptualised coverage of team building to consider working collaboratively as a team at service level, multi disciplinary teams and integrated service provision through multi agency working. A chapter which considers the essential characteristics of leadership in terms of personal qualities, skills and timing related to effective leadership.

Leadership is a core skill required by all early childhood educators, whatever position they hold - whether leading their own ethical and professional practice or leading others. From understanding ethical frameworks to managing change, and from quality assurance to working with teams, families and the wider community, the most effective early childhood leaders act with confidence, flexibility and creativity. In this book early childhood researchers Elizabeth Stamopoulos and Lennie Barblett provide a new model for leadership. Recognising that leadership is both an individual and collective endeavour, multi-layered and multidimensional, the authors have distilled core tasks of leadership that are explored in detail in each chapter: *Understanding and conceptualising theories of leadership *Leading in times of change * Advocating for high quality pedagogy and practice *Developing strong communication skills * Leading through digital technology and media * Developing effective teams * Building positive relationships with families and the wider community * Embedding Indigenous perspectives * Embracing evidence-based research And * Leading ethical practice. Featuring the perspectives of leaders from diverse settings, together with reflection exercises and discussion questions throughout, this is an essential book for both pre-service and in-service early childhood educators. 'The authors...are commended for their commitment to shining a light on a wide range of research, theories and issues concerned with leadership and the early childhood profession. ' -- from the foreword by Catharine Hydon and Dr Anne Kennedy

'Essential reading and a powerful tool for emerging early childhood leaders.' - Catharine Hydon, Early Childhood ConsultantWith increasing community insistence for quality and accountability in early childhood education and care, there is a need for effective and professional leadership in these services. Leadership in Early Childhood is a practical resource for early childhood practitioners who want to understand how to create and sustain successful childcare and early education settings.Fully revised and updated, this fourth edition is divided into three sections: deconstructing leadership; leadership in practice; and special responsibilities of early childhood leaders. This edition also includes new case studies, an additional chapter summarising the key contributing factors to effective leadership and examples based on an extensive international study of early childhood leaders.Leadership in Early Childhood has been widely used in early childhood education programs and as a professional reference text and remains a valuable resource for both students and professionals.

Early childhood practitioners are often reluctant to see themselves as leaders and managers. However, all those who work with young children and their families, whatever their level of experience and competence, have to undertake both of these roles on a daily basis. This book encourages practitioners to recognise their active involvement in leadership and management in relation to their work as team leader or team member, and in their work with parents and other professionals, to ensure appropriate and effective provision for young children. The authors identify a number of key principles involved in effective early years leadership and management, which focus on the idea that: Leadership is about influencing others to improve and enhance children’s care, learning and development Leadership is only effective if it develops the leadership of others by supporting a team or group in meeting their declared aims or vision Leadership is ultimately distributed, shared and dispersed in early childhood settings These principles are supported by a detailed exploration of the statutory demands made on practitioners working with young children and their families, and reference to relevant literature drawn from both early childhood studies and leadership theories. As well as providing guidance on the roles, responsibilities and tasks facing early childhood leaders, the book features a number of case studies and practical tasks, giving life to concepts and ideas and enabling readers to apply theories and policies to their own work settings. Additional activities at the end of each chapter further support practitioners in fulfilling their leadership and management roles in practice. Leadership and Management in the Early Years is an essential text for early years and early childhood studies students as well as practitioners particularly those who are aiming for Early Years Professional Status.

Early Childhood Leadership: Motivation, Inspiration, Empowerment is a must-have book for anyone who occupies a leadership position (e.g., administrator, director, coordinator, team leader, manager, lead teacher) or anticipates doing so in the future. It addresses one of the most challenging workplace issues facing employers today—the ability to encourage employees’ creativity, productivity, and long-term commitment to an organization. Studies consistently show that low employee morale and high turnover rates are common in early childhood programs and, in turn, affect the quality of services provided for children and families. Unfortunately, strategies used by many supervisors to guide and manage employee behavior often contribute to employee dissatisfaction and attrition. A sound understanding of motivational theory and skills (e.g., communication, leadership, team-building, decision-making) enables effective leaders to create positive work environments, boost employee morale, and encourage positive performance. When employees believe their efforts are being acknowledged and valued, they are less likely to leave their jobs—an additional and important benefit—especially in the field of early childhood education.

The Early Childhood Education sector around the world is constantly changing, whether because of the unprecedented demand for ECE services globally, accelerated social change, or the introduction of pedagogical and regulatory practices. Based upon empirical inquiry, Early Childhood Education Management examines the somewhat controversial concept of operating an early childhood service as a business. It challenges the assumption that an early childhood manager does not require specialist knowledge or skill and discusses which attributes an effective manager should possess. In this book, which brings together management theory and practice, Moloney and Pettersen address core issues at the heart of the management role, including the relationship between early childhood policy and broader legislative enactments, as well as issues related to the challenges and development of management skills. The book also draws upon real-life examples from practice in order to offer insight into some of the most common topics and challenges related to management practice in Early Childhood Education, such as business acumen and entrepreneurship, recruitment and selection, financial management and budgeting, supervision, mentoring, staff development, curriculum management, collaborative working, and change management. Written by leading academics with practice experience, the book should be of great interest to researchers, academics and postgraduate students in the field of education, specifically those working in early years and education policy and management. It should also be essential reading for managers working in Early Childhood settings.

Theory meets practical tips in this guide for leaders of early childhood programs

In this inspiring collection, 13 early childhood leaders take action to challenge and change inequitable educational practices in preschools and elementary schools. For them, educating for social justice is not an empty platitude. Steadfast and resolute, they turn rhetoric into reality as they guide early childhood teachers to teach for social justice innovatively and strategically. Through the voices of families, teachers, and the administrators themselves, each chapter shares ways that these leaders use the power entrusted in them to question and disrupt discriminatory and marginalizing practices that deny opportunities for some students while privleging others. The book includes insights, strategies, and resources that administrators can use to build confidence, knowledge, and skills as they invest in more equitable and just pre/schools.