Nursery World - Centre stage (5)

A new qualification for the leaders of integrated centres, and why it's needed, is explained by <B>Dr Margy Whalley</B>

Discussions have gone on for some time about the appropriateness of leadership training for those leading and managing early childhood settings.

As early childhood practitioners we have in the past been somewhat reluctant to talk about our approaches to leadership. This may have been because we have not had an appropriate language to describe what we do.

Hierarchical images of organisational life sit uncomfortably with the fairly flat hierarchies and distributive leadership models preferred by most of us working in the field. Our constructivist approach to pedagogy is very closely linked to our approach to leadership and management.

Early years organisations need good management systems and structures if they are to function effectively, but it is only with visionary leadership that they are likely to achieve the goal of transforming children's life chances.

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