Abstract

The definitive guide to developing leadership skills in early years settings, this book will help you to develop a leadership style tailored to your early years setting.

Designed to support existing, new and aspiring leaders, it spans all levels of leadership, from organisational and team leadership to practice. It presents key theories of leadership with relevant examples and strategies and is illustrated throughout with case studies, reflective exercises and recommended reading.

Once you have read this book, you will be able to plan, implement, sustain, review and evaluate your own and your workplace's improvements to ensure effective leadership, continuous quality improvement and better outcomes for children and families.

This book on leadership for quality is both timely and forward looking. It recognises the challenges in leading an organisation with a quality improvement agenda that is based on learning, participation and collaborative action. The book is both theoretically informed and full of professional practice wisdom. I think anyone working in the early years sector who has a leadership role or who aspires to having one will find much to inspire and guide within these pages.

The sector has at last recognised that leadership, as much as management, matters and is beginning to nurture a new generation of leaders with vision, passion and reflectivity. This book will make an important contribution to this movement.

Professor Chris Pascal, Director, Centre for Research in Early Childhood
I have read your book and think it is fabulous. It was an easy read and made good sound sense. I think this is what early years has been needing for a long time, all the other books I have read on leadership and management have been as dull as dish water and not relevant to early years practice. The presentation and 'look' of the book is appealing and makes you want to take a dip! I love the reflection activities, as I feel this is what is lacking in a great deal of practice. I will be using this book for many years to come, thank you. You must be so proud of your achievement, well done.
Barbara Draper, Nursery Manager, Our Lady Star of the Sea Nursery, St. Annes, Lancashire
I have recently completed my foundation degree in Professional Development in Working with Children and used this book for my management module. The book is set out in a reader-friendly way and gave me a good broad knowledge of the subject. The book inspired me to look to my own practices and to reflect on the way in which I do things, rationalising and leading to change. I would certainly recommend this book to anybody who is doing similar study and also to practitioners who wish to deliver a quality service.
Anne Gallagher, Registered Childminder