ABSTRACT

Leadership in early childhood is not easy to define due to the relational nature of working with young children, the diversity of settings providing for their care and education, and the wide range of roles and responsibilities which are implicit within these settings. Roles and responsibilities inevitably overlap, and a 'leader' in an early years' setting may not be easy to distinguish from any other member of staff. Leadership is less a specific set of behaviours than it is creating an environment in which people are motivated to produce and move in the direction of the leader. Shakeshaft's research on women's leadership identified the following principles and may resonate with many working in early childhood presently. The research of Mujis et al. and Moyles identifies some key skills and personal qualities as being important for leadership. Research has demonstrated time and again the central role of effective communication in leadership and effective practice.