ABSTRACT

This chapter considers how leadership and management impact upon the effectiveness of early years settings. It also considers the difference between a manager and a leader and provides an overview of the theories of leadership. The chapter also provides an overview of the different types of leadership and management styles and explores the management of change, organisation and environment. It considers the effectiveness of communication within leadership and management. The chapter provides an understanding of the main features of effective team leadership. Management involves a combination of mainly organisational skills which together help to achieve the best results with limited resources. Behavioural theories focus on the behaviours of a good leader and manager, including supporting, interacting and facilitating. An autocratic leader in an early years setting may have established the setting for themselves and controls all aspects of the structure, organisation, delivery and relationships.