Early Childhood Leadership Pedagogy: An Investigation into Factors Which Influence the Role of the Educational Leader in Australia
摘要
Pedagogy and leadership are two distinct terms commonly used in early childhood education and care (ECEC). Although, there is limited research on how pedagogy can impact leadership enactment. This chapter presents the key findings of a study that was conducted to understand the influences impacting the educational leaders’ role and their pedagogical approaches in the Australian context. Using a mixed method approach, early childhood (EC) professionals were surveyed to understand their perceptions of the role of the educational leader. Findings show that past experience, the job description and other roles within the centre contribute to the evolving pedagogies of the EC professional in the role of the educational leader. The chapter will first present the background of both pedagogy and leadership in ECEC, followed by a review of the literature in these areas. The chapter will then present the study, which was conducted in an Australian ECEC context, including the methods and key findings. An examination on key findings in relation to current literature will be discussed to support a deeper understanding of EC leadership pedagogy.