EPT428 Leadership in Early Childhood Education (16)
CSU Discipline Area: Professional Studies (PROFL)
Duration: One session
Abstract:
This subject provides students with an overview of organisational structures and the diversity of management and leadership roles in early childhood services. Principles of effective leadership and management and various theories of leadership will be explored. Students will use knowledge gained in the theoretical component of this course to design and implement a leadership and management project that makes a contribution to the early childhood service/community in which their professional experience takes place. The purpose of the professional experience component is for students to put into practice leadership and management skills and to reflect upon and evaluate their professional development as a leader in the early childhood field.
+ Subject Availability Modes and Locations
| Term 1 | |
|---|---|
| Internal | Canada | Term 3 |
| Internal | Canada |
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details: EPT428
Where differences exist between the Handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
Enrolment restrictions:
Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies or as approved by the Course Coordinator.
Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
- recognize the value and importance of leadership in early childhood (both services specifically and the field more broadly);
- understand the problematic nature of leadership for the early childhood field, particularly in terms of gender;
- identify the range of employment possibilities for the early childhood professional and the concomitant managerial functions relevant to each context;
- understand the variety of organisational structures employed in managing early childhood services;
- explain and apply principles of effective leadership and management to case studies of early childhood situations and in the professional experience placement;
- critically analyze the implications of: legislation, government policies, regulations, professional organisations, professional recognition and unionization relevant to early childhood services;
- use and critically evaluate the effectiveness of technological innovations as managerial tools;
- demonstrate skills in working as a member of a team and begin to practise leadership and management roles within an early childhood service/community;
- design and carry out a small, focused leadership and management project that makes a contribution to the early childhood service/community in which professional experience takes place;
- practise and critically reflect on the roles and responsibilities of the early childhood educator as a leader in the context of a particular community;
- communicate effectively with children, families, colleagues and the broader community orally and in writing;
- use the AECEO Code of Ethics to guide their behaviour in working with children, families and colleagues and show awareness of the leader's obligations according to the code; and
- exercise initiative, personal responsibility and accountability during professional experience.
Syllabus:
The subject will cover the following topics:
- the concept of leadership: how leadership is understood and enacted broadly and more specifically in the early childhood field from historical and contemporary perspectives; current research into leadership in early childhood; theories relating to leadership - review of early childhood services in Canada with focus on diversity of management structures and functions - an ecological approach to the management of early childhood services: current practice - communication, team-building, decision making, conflict resolution, change management - legislation: government policies and regulations particularly pertinent for supervisors/managers in early childhood services; legal responsibilities of supervisors/managers - implications of professional recognition for the early childhood field - working with unionized staff - technological developments and their application to early childhood management - identifying a leadership and management project within a local community - developing leadership focused Professional E-Portfolios - recognition of the role of different perspectives in research: including those of children, parents/carers, educators
Workplace Learning
This subject contains a Workplace Learning component. Please contact the subject coordinator for further information.
The information contained in the 2013 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 24 April 2013. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.