The early years sector is going through a period of unprecedented change. This has resulted in significant challenges for the early years workforce and it is crucial that settings, teams, leaders and individual practitioners respond to these if they wish to continue to provide the best care and education for young children. This timely text identifies and addresses the key challenges for those working with young children from managing personal and professional change, adapting to new legislation and considering new ways of thinking about children’s early learning. It considers the core knowledge and understanding of good practice that enables practitioners to respond appropriately and with confidence to issues they face on daily basis. Covering a wide range of diverse topics including professional identity, neuroscience, outdoor education, literacy, special educational needs, the family and the ‚risk‘ factor, the book encourages the reader to reflect upon their own views and attitudes towards change practice and includes: Chapter overviews and summary boxes Case studies to highlight good practice Questions to promote debate Annotated further reading Aimed specifically at those that are studying and working with children from birth to 8, this book will be a core text for Foundation Degrees in early years, early childhood studies and those working towards Early Years Teacher Status.
This volume makes a timely contribution to our understanding of literacy as a multi-faceted, complexly situated activity. Each chapter provides the reader with a fresh perspective into a different site for literate behaviour, approaches, design and relationships, and offers an exploration into the use of literacy theories to inform policy and practice, particularly in regard to curriculum. Bringing together international experts in the field, the contributing authors represent a wide variety of theoretical and research perspectives which cover literacy in various forms, including: • transformative literacy • survey literacy • academic literacies • information literacy in the workplace • digital literacy. Landscapes of Specific Literacies in Contemporary Society suggests that literacy curriculum needs to evolve from its current perspective if it is to cater for the demands of the 21st century contemporary globalised society. The book will be of key interest to researchers and academics in the fields of education, curriculum studies and the sociology of education, as well as to policy makers and literacy specialists.
Early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings offer an opportunity to provide children with a solid beginning in all areas of their development. The quality and efficacy of these settings depend largely on the individuals within the ECCE workforce. Policy makers need a complete picture of ECCE teachers and caregivers in order to tackle the persistent challenges facing this workforce. The IOM and the National Research Council hosted a workshop to describe the ECCE workforce and outline its parameters. Speakers explored issues in defining and describing the workforce, the marketplace of ECCE, the effects of the workforce on children, the contextual factors that shape the workforce, and opportunities for strengthening ECCE as a profession.
Exploring Children’s Learning: 3–11 years is essential reading for those passionate about supporting children’s learning environments from Early Years to Key Stage 2. By combining learning with important aspects of a broad curriculum content it will inspire and enhance an interest in supporting children’s learning. Individual chapters focus on key areas of the curriculum such as literacy and history, numeracy and science, as well as more general topics such as creativity, assessment and the emotional and behavioural aspects of learning. The book takes an objective view on control over curriculum and offers practical insights into how supportive learning opportunities can create enjoyable and satisfying lifelong learning habits, preparing children for the challenges they may face in their adult working life. Whether you dip into chapters, or read through the book as a whole, you will develop your understanding of the complexity of learning and the lifelong effects implicit in this, not only from the individual basis that each child faces in terms of learning how to learn, but also concerning the differences in learning strategies required to successfully negotiate subject knowledge across a range of disciplines. This book is a must-read for students of Childhood and Education Studies programmes, those undertaking Initial Teacher Training as well as general readers with an interest in supporting children’s learning.
Children are already learning at birth, and they develop and learn at a rapid pace in their early years. This provides a critical foundation for lifelong progress, and the adults who provide for the care and the education of young children bear a great responsibility for their health, development, and learning. Despite the fact that they share the same objective - to nurture young children and secure their future success - the various practitioners who contribute to the care and the education of children from birth through age 8 are not acknowledged as a workforce unified by the common knowledge and competencies needed to do their jobs well. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 explores the science of child development, particularly looking at implications for the professionals who work with children. This report examines the current capacities and practices of the workforce, the settings in which they work, the policies and infrastructure that set qualifications and provide professional learning, and the government agencies and other funders who support and oversee these systems. This book then makes recommendations to improve the quality of professional practice and the practice environment for care and education professionals. These detailed recommendations create a blueprint for action that builds on a unifying foundation of child development and early learning, shared knowledge and competencies for care and education professionals, and principles for effective professional learning. Young children thrive and learn best when they have secure, positive relationships with adults who are knowledgeable about how to support their development and learning and are responsive to their individual progress. Transforming the Workforce for Children Birth Through Age 8 offers guidance on system changes to improve the quality of professional practice, specific actions to improve professional learning systems and workforce development, and research to continue to build the knowledge base in ways that will directly advance and inform future actions. The recommendations of this book provide an opportunity to improve the quality of the care and the education that children receive, and ultimately improve outcomes for children.
Leading Change in the Early Years focuses on the type of leadership skill needed for leading the reform and change agendas that challenge the early years sector. Early years professionals are expected to implement a range of government initiatives, as well as professionally endorsed changes, aimed at raising the quality of early years provision. The ease and success with which such initiatives are implemented relies on the competent leadership of change, that is, knowledge, understanding and expertise in encouraging, supporting and working with everyone involved with implementing and sustaining change. This resource helps to unpick the principles, processes and practice of effecting change and offers early years professionals a practical guide to the important elements relevant for meeting the political agenda for quality improvement and the professional challenge of effecting responsible change. Key content includes: the link between competent leadership and successful change dimensions, models and processes of change leadership skills for effecting change strategies for reducing reluctance and resistance This book is ideal for early years leaders who understand the general principles and practice of leadership, but who are interested in exploring and expanding their understanding and expertise in leading reform and change. Jillian Rodd is an educational and developmental psychologist and has published widely in the early childhood field throughout the world. This is a powerful text that utilises the voices of early years leaders to clearly articulate the challenges of leading change and demonstrate how the sector is rising to that challenge. It is, therefore, an excellent and vital resource for all working in the early years sector and comes at absolutely the right time as the pace of change in the sector continues to be fast flowing. This book comprehensively and accessibly draws together theory and practice enabling a thorough exploration of the subtle nuances within current debates as to the interrelationship and interaction of leadership and change. The closing thoughts at the end of each chapter are inspired; not simply a summary of the chapter, but an opportunity to underline the importance of key issues. The constructive and helpful strategies offered throughout the text give considerable support for those charged with leading change in the early years sector and, consequently, should be on the bookshelf of every early years setting. Dr Caroline Leeson, Associate Professor of Early Childhood Studies, Plymouth University In a constantly changing world strong leadership and change management skills become of paramount importance and there is an increasing expectation that early years professionals are able to negotiate these domains. This text draws on research evidence and case studies from practice to support those dealing with change on a daily basis. By encouraging early years professionals to draw on their skills of leadership and interpersonal relationships, Jillian provides clear strategies to enact change. This is a 'must have' book for all those working in the Early Years. Nikki Fairchild, Early Years Initial Teacher Training Programme Coordinator, University of Chichester At a time when early years practitioners everywhere are feeling pressure to respond to the children's policy agenda, this accessible guide offers support in implementing and sustaining change. Underpinned by theoretical models, Rodd explores the relationship between leadership and quality and identifies the dynamics of change within the processes of leadership. The text is complemented by comments from a wide of practitioners illustrating how professionals in different contexts experience and respond to the complexity of change. Rory McDowall Clark, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood, Worcester University Jillian Rodd gives a contemporary view of leadership and change incorporating the latest research from the early years sector. Practitioner voices are evident throughout the book and bring the text to life, helping to contextualise theory explained in the chapters to real issues practitioners encounter in everyday practice. The book provides insight to the complexities of leadership and change, essential understanding for both early years students and practitioners. Natalie Canning, Lecturer in Education - Early Years, The Open University This latest book from Jillian Rodd is timely as early childhood services continue to respond to the demands of policy and funding changes arising from continuing government interest in the early years. Another important application lies in responding to complexity arising from diverse communities and the challenges of improving and developing pedagogy and curriculum to enhance each child’s learning and wellbeing. Currently there is little available that specifically addresses change in the early years. 'Leading change in the early years' progressively develops an argument that change is complex and multi-faceted, conceptualising change as encompassing quality improvement as a core function of early years services rather than as a special event to be managed. The role of leadership is presented as embedded within change where multiple leaders have responsibilities to contribute to change through building professional relationships that support collective endeavours within services. In recognising the complexity of change the work draws on current research offering comprehensive coverage of the issues and significant factors associated with change, including the importance of establishing and nurturing a culture of learning within a service. This latest work is very accessible and will be invaluable for existing early childhood leaders, aspiring leaders and tertiary students. I have no doubt this book will be valued as a companion to the acclaimed Leadership in Early Childhood now in the 4th edition. Kaye Colmer, CEO Gowrie SA Change is the big 'c' word in contemporary educational environments. Information overload, turbulence and complexity characterise our everyday practice and our paths up ahead. The inevitability of change means we must be prepared and can be proactive in responding to external drivers, as well as in initiating reform. Most of all we must be willing to learn and to grow in our thinking. In this book, Jillian Rodd, a pioneer leadership researcher is once again, on the front foot, engaging early childhood readers with inquiry, insights and innovation. Rodd's approach to leading change makes it possible to embrace challenges as opportunities. This book is a 'must read' for intentional leaders seeking practical strategies for the everyday realities of early childhood settings. Manjula Waniganayake (PhD), Associate Professor at the Institute of Early Childhood , Macquarie University
This publication takes as its background the radical reforms to services for children following the passing, in England, of The Children Act of 2004 and subsequent Government white paper, Every Child Matters: Change for Children. It argues that the fundamental requirements for leadership for learning in the early years should be provided by considering social contexts, adopting a commitment to collective working, and focusing on improving children's learning outcomes. It is based on the analysis of a wide range of literature on leadership in the early years and information taken from effective early years settings.
The professionalism of the early childhood sector has gained prominence on the policy agendas of many countries. National pedagogical frameworks or curricula and an upsurge of pathways to gaining or upgrading qualifications has led to a pervasive terminology of professionalism. Yet, despite the pervasiveness of this terminology, the question of what professionalism means in early years contexts remains open to debate. This book draws together the work of an international group of scholars who have engaged with this question. They ask: How can professionalism be conceptualised in early childhood settings? How might one act professionally in increasingly diverse and changing social and cultural contexts? Do we have a common ground of understanding about these terms? Are there key concepts that can be agreed upon? Drawing on research and experience across a wide range of national contexts, this book seeks an understanding of early childhood professionalism in local contexts that might throw light on the global implications of this term. This book was published as a special issue in the European Early Childhood Education Research Journal.
Headlines frequently appear that purport to highlight the differences among workers of different generations and explain how employers can manage the wants and needs of each generation. But is each new generation really that different from previous ones? Are there fundamental differences among generations that impact how they act and interact in the workplace? Or are the perceived differences among generations simply an indicator of age-related differences between older and younger workers or a reflection of all people adapting to a changing workplace? Are Generational Categories Meaningful Distinctions for Workforce Management? reviews the state and rigor of the empirical work related to generations and assesses whether generational categories are meaningful in tackling workforce management problems. This report makes recommendations for directions for future research and improvements to employment practices.
...a major contribution to the limited literature and research on leadership in childhood education.′ - Professor Tony Bush, Editor of Educational Management, Administration and Leadership. ′This important book focuses clearly on evidence, describing the realities of leading and managing settings in times of rapid policy changes. Carol Aubrey manages to combine theory, research and practice in a book that will be invaluable to a new generation of early years professionals.′ - Angela Anning, Emeritus Professor of Early Childhood Education, University of Leeds, UK ′..skilfully draws on sound empirical research to present a grounded theory model for leadership in early years education. ....of interest to researchers, students and practitioners internationally.′ - Professor Nithi Muthukrishna, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa This Second Edition of Leading and Managing in the Early Years explores and integrates leadership and management practice with a real understanding of early years settings. Revised and updated, this new edition includes: - Two new chapters on private day care and reflective practice and action research - Further coverage of reflective practice and reflective leadership skills - More on EYPS as well as integrated centre leadership - Practical suggestions for working with resistant groups and individuals. Carol Aubrey investigates different concepts and characteristics of Early Childhood (EC) leadership as well as the roles and responsibilities of EC leaders. She also explores the types of leadership programmes or development which are needed to maximise the effectiveness of EC leaders. This book is essential reading for students in Early Childhood courses, Early Years Practitioners and local authority employees involved with the integrated centres initiative. Carol Aubrey is Professor of Early Childhood Studies at the University of Warwick.
