ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the role of the leader or manager; developing a vision and establishing a common purpose; Systems to aid communication and decision-making. I t also considers planning and organising meetings; Relationships with parents; Multi-agency working. The many changes to legislation, inspection and registration requirements alone, plus repeated revisions of the early year's curriculum, have produced a massive increase in the reading and reflection time required for managers to keep up to date. Research has brought enormous advances over the last two decades in our understanding of young children's learning and development, research that now informs practice and closer thinking between neuroscientists and educationalists. Leadership could be described as the driving force that motivates and provides a vision for staff, colleagues, partners and stakeholders to aspire. Delegation is not just a matter of convenience and reducing the workload on the leader, it also promotes the professional growth of other nursery workers.
