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EPT428 Leadership in Early Childhood Education (16)

Abstract

This subject provides students with an overview of organisational structures and the diversity of leadership and advocacy roles in early childhood services. Principles of effective leadership and various theories of leadership will be explored. Students will critically investigate alignments and disconnects between principles of leadership and management in early childhood education.  Students will use knowledge gained in the theoretical component of this course to engage in a small leadership 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 leadership professional development in the early childhood field.

+ Subject Availability Modes and Location

Term 1
InternalCanada Campus
Term 2
InternalCanada Campus
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.

Subject information

Duration Grading System School:
One sessionHD/FLSchool of Teacher Education

Enrolment restrictions

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Early Childhood Studies or as approved by the Course Coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:
  • recognise the value and importance of leadership and advocacy in early childhood (both services specifically and the field more broadly);
  • understand the problematic nature of leadership for the early childhood field through exploring and analysing research, case studies, and by drawing on their professional experience;
  • critically analyse the variety of organizational structures employed in early childhood services and the implications of legislation, government policies, regulations, professional organisations, professional recognition and unionisation relevant to early childhood services;
  • design and carry out a small, focused leadership project that makes a contribution to the early childhood service/community in which professional experience takes place;
  • demonstrate effective communication skills with children, families, colleagues and the broader community orally and in writing;
  • critically reflect on relevant professional standards and code of ethics and apply to professional experience; and
  • use and critically evaluate the effectiveness of technological innovations in developing an e-portfolio that critically reflects on the leadership roles and responsibilities of the early childhood educator in the context of a particular community.

Syllabus

The subject will cover the following topics:
  • Conceptualisations 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 and advocacy.
  • Review of early childhood services in local and global settings with focus on exploring the diversity of leadership structures and functions.
  • Enactments of leadership in different domains utilising ecological approaches to leadership.
  • Communication, team-building, critical friendships, compliance, decision making, conflict resolution, change management.
  • Legislation: government policies and regulations pertaining to leadership in early childhood education – e.g. implications of professional recognition for the early childhood field.
  • E-portfolios that that demonstrate professional growth and reflection on professional practice

Work Place Learning

This subject contains a Compulsory Workplace Learning component of 20 days duration. Students are expected to engage in a professional experience component to satisfy subject requirements. The professional experience takes place within the context of an organisation in a community that the student explores in greater depth. Students are expected to develop a small leadership project that reflects professional early childhood goals and the goals of the organisation in which the professional experience is conducted.

Specialised Resources

For this subject students require a laptop computer and/or appropriate mobile device.  

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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.