Leadership in the Early Years

Paper Summary:

The main purpose of this paper is to examine one of the factors that promote high quality education provision (namely, effective leadership) in a private kindergarten in Argentina. It analyses what the author considers to be the three key aspects that form the base of effective leadership in an early years setting. These are the setting of the institution's goals; staff development and teamwork.
Outline
Argentina's Education Policy
Testimony of an Argentinean Kindergarten Teacher
Setting the Institution's Goals
Teamwork
Staff Development
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Another attribute regarded as essential for a leader of an early years setting is his or her responsibility to establish a positive attitude to relationships with the teachers, parents and children. It is the leader's duty to create a relaxed climate from which self-disclosure will emerge, allowing teachers, parents and children to feel understood. Taking Rodd's words: 'It is the leader who determines the psychological climate of the group and motivates individual member's level of performance in the achievement of the groups goals' (Rodd,1994; p.21). Teamwork, appears to be a good way of overcoming barriers to communication, as by this mean, leaders and practitioners get a chance to share their own values and experience. Likewise, Schon (1988) emphasises the concept of teamwork to enable support, guidance and encouragement of reflective teaching. This in turn means teachers working together with the leader to better understand their practice, and this improves their teaching and classroom organisation. Collaboration among teachers results in an increase in their motivation, self-esteem and reflective behaviour upon their practice."

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